 
How many times have you watched an NFL game
and asked yourself, "If only that team had an offensive line." Well, if you are
in the market for a tackle you are in luck; this draft has several bookends that might fit
the bill. If you need a guard or center you may want to pick one earlier than you might
otherwise because the pickings are slimmer. The cream of the crop is the ultra- athletic
OT from Alabama, Chris Samuels. He will be a good one for a long time. If you are looking
for a huge smashmouth type, guys like Stockar McDougal, Chris McIntosh, or Todd Wade may
be the man. If you want well rounded guards, look at Leander Jordan, Cosey Coleman, Travis
Claridge, or my favorite, Kaulana Noa.With other positions, like DB, QB, and DL, not
looking deep, it is possible that teams will jump on these guys early. The guys in the
trenches are vital to an offense's effectiveness, its about time that they get more
attention and appreciation.
1) Chris Samuels 6'5" 325
Alabama OT
Athletic ability combined with his size is hard to find. He is very light on his feet. Can
pull and scoot down field with ease. He can recover if beaten
and play any style you ask him to. He has an explosive takeoff, powerful hands, and knows
leverage. He has been hurt recently, but his career is a testament to his durability. Does
not get wrapped up with his own man;
will shed and look for someone else to hit as the play moves downfield. Probably the only
LT in this draft who can star quickly; due to his 42 start experience. His senior campaign
was dominating. Can't miss.
Dave Te: "Extends his arms and bends his knees
properly when riding an
inside move past the quarterback..."
`99- Sacks allowed: 0
2) Stockar McDougle 6'5" 361
Oklahoma OT
Mountain of a man. This nasty 18 wheeler can just flatten defenders.
He rolls those hips and explodes, knees buckle in his wake. Very
strong. Don't make him angry. He does have trouble with speed.
He is still learning and makes too many errors, but he did cut down
on those considerably this year compared to last, and thats why
scouts have high hopes for him. He is not a slow footed stiff; he can
get outside and crumple LBs and DBs. He has lost over 40Lbs and
seems to have gained focus.
Dave Te: "Explosive drive blocker who can pull and
get out on screens
fluidly.."
`99- Sacks allowed: 0
3) Chris McIntosh 6'6" 315
Wisconsin OT
Can be an overpowering blocker. Can play OG and OT. He slides well and is a heady
player. He might end up at OG because he has little experience pass-blocking (Wisconsin
runs and runs) and might have trouble with a guy who changes direction quickly. He could
play RT, but would need to change the stance he has been using for years. At OG, he could
be a phone booth slugger.
Dave Te: "Combative drive blocker, known for his
durability..."
`99- Sacks allowed: 2
4) Leander Jordan 6'4" 330
5.48 Indiana, Pa.
I will go out on a limb and predict Leander will be better than Cosey
Coleman. They both have athletic gifts, but Jordan has more stamina
and has a better work ethic. Has an explosive first step and uses his
hands well. Really stands out as a trap blocker. A focused player who
rarely gets beat due to mental lapses. Good slide ability. Will scrap to
the whistle. Probably a better comparison to Larry Allen then Coleman.
Dave Te: "Very smooth in reverse and stays in control
when firing out
to neutralize the linebackers...Recently timed at 5.36 in the 40-yard dash."
`99- Sacks allowed: 1
5) Cosey Coleman 6'4" 322
5.45
Tennessee OG
Talented junior combines fine power and mobility. Shows heart slugging it out in the
trenches. Good in-line and scoots fluidly to the outside. May not be the next Larry Allen,
but he does have some similarities in his game.
Effective angling his man away from the design of the play. Has a very
good backpedal. If he pays the price he could be a key cog in an offensive line for years.
Wrist injury may have caused his subpar lifts in his personal
workout.
Dave Te: "Anchors firmly vs. the power charge and
does a nice job
looking for defenders to hit after the initial strike."
`99- Sacks allowed: 0
6) Marvel Smith 6'5" 320
5.35 Arizona
St. OT
Has a even personality on the field; he is always mad. He has the toughness and flashes
solid movement skills at times. But his footwork does leave him occasionally and scouts
are now fickle on him. He has the tools and heart and when on his game he seems like a
future ProBowler. Can pull and lead, but needs alittle work on re-directing once he gets a
head of steam.
Gary Horton: "...Smith is a natural pass protector
who has performed at a high level all three years."
7) Michael Thompson 6'4"
305 5.25
Tennessee St. OT
Unheralded small school prospect that will steadily climb draft boards
as draft day nears. Could be the second most athletic OL in the draft.
Some guys test out like tarzan but don't play like it. This guy shows it
on the field. A smooth operator. Ideal feet and agility. Can block his
man and get in on the action downfield. Gets low and drives hard. It
would not be a surprise if he sneaks into the first round after displaying
top notch skills at the Senior Bowl. Started career as a DT.
Dave Te: "Outstanding athlete with long arms and
tremendous quickness
for his size...Natural knee bender who backpedals fluidly in pass protection"
`99- Sacks allowed: 0
8) Todd Wade 6'8" 326
5.24 Ole
Miss OT
Big and physical. Dedicated to his craft. Played very solid in `99. Needs some
tinkering with technique, especially knee bend, but he does show steady progress and his
supposed weaknesses(speed) were not evident in Mobile, where he and Stockar McDougle were
throwing people around at times. His stock is up and down and bears watching.
Dave Te: "Combative and intense blocker who does an
excellent job out-muscling defenders on running plays..."
`99- Sacks allowed: 0
9) Travis Claridge 6'5" 303
5.16
USC OG/OT
Another player who has benefited from strong all-star game performances. He is
alittle light for his height, but does a good job keeping his frame between the defender
and the QB. He plays smart and sticks to his blocks. Very versatile, can play any position
except center. He is a tough scrapper who does not get lazy.
Dave Te: "Very adept at reacting to the pass rushers
swim moves and
has a good feel for blocking angles..."
`99- Sacks allowed: 1
10) Kaulana Noa 6'3" 317
5.33 Hawaii
OG/OT
Tough and well built. He can anchor verse the bull-rush and block on the second level. He
has much experience with pass-pro because Hawaii ran the run and shoot. He is a tireless
worker in the weight room and has the disposition to be a tone setter.He played very well
at the Senior Bowl and had scouts raving at the practices. When on, he can consistently
take
defenders off their feet.
Dave Te: "Moves his feet well in contact & keeps
his hands right in a
defender’s chest to prevent the inside surge."
`99- Sacks allowed: 2
11) Adrian Klemm 6'4"
307 Hawaii OT
Rare feet. Can get down field and seal the corner. Needs alittle more
strength in-line. At times he will overextend, especially verse wide
aligned speed rushers. When on his game he shows fluid movement
skills and an explosive burst. He is a flexible guy who can recover
when beaten initially. High upside. Was athletic enough to play some
tightend early in his college career.
Dave Te: "Recently timed at 4.98 in the 40-yard
dash...Strong at the
point of attack...Very active with his hands..."
`99- Sacks allowed: 4.5
12) John St. Clair 6'5"
302 Virginia C
A flasher; will "flash" dominating rare movement skills and a quick
powerful surge. At times he will look like the next Dermonti Dawson,
but then he will inexplicably turn into an average joe for stretches. Hard
to figure out. Good getting out on screens and adept at making the shot-
gun snap. Has a mean streak and gets a good surge most of the time.
Can anchor verse the bullrush. Could be a tease.
Dave Te: "Very effective in making the short pull and
does an excellent
job of turning his body when engaging the pass rushers."
`99- Sacks allowed: 2
13) Bobby Williams 6'4"
332 5.24 Arkansas
OT
A long armed mauler. He has proper knee bend and sets up smoothly
in pass-pro. He is surprisingly nimble in space and does well in riding
a passrusher pass the QB. He works hard and has 35 games under
his belt at the OT position. He has strong hands that deliver a good
jolt and he is hard to bullrush. He plays smart but could use alittle
more reckless abandon in him.
Dave Te: "Emerging star with long arms and the
ability to come off
the snap low and straight-ahead..."
`99- Sacks allowed: 0
14) Chad Clifton 6'5"
334 5.04
Tennessee OG/OT
Gets good movement on his drive blocks and can scoot to the outside
and clear a path for the runner. He is at his best when he locks on a
target and uses his powerful lower body surge to pop his opponent.
Not the best in redirecting in cases in which the defense dictates a
change in assignment on the fly. Will get confused and get sloppy.
Has a fluid backpedal and 43 starts of experience. A physical one on
one finisher.
Dave Te: "Hard worker with a sturdy lower body
frame..."
`99 Sacks allowed:
15) Brad Meester 6'3"
298 5.02 Northern
Iowa C
Very underrated player who Dave thinks is better than St.Clair. He is
a very smart player, in fact he was one of the highest scorers on the
combine intelligence test. Explosive out of his stance. Knows leverage
well and gets angles on his man consistently. He is a knee bender who
extends his arm properly. He does a fine job firing into the LBs and
redirecting. Some question his overall strength, but he surprised many
with his solid work in that area in Indy. Shuffles feet well.
Dave Te: "Has the raw power and good feel for
blocking angles to
easily neutralize the bull rush..."
`99- Sacks allowed: 0
Disclaimer: Some information was gathered from
Sportspage.com
and their lead draft expert, Dave Te Thomas. Items are quoted
and may not be displayed elsewhere.
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