Risen Star
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By Bob McGinn
The golden age of offensive tackles in the NFL draft covered a span of five years three decades ago. Regarded as can’t-miss prospects as collegians, five players exceeded their immense expectations forging sterling pro careers that culminated with bronze busts in Canton.In chronological draft order, the fivesome numbered Willie Roaf, No. 8, 1993; Tony Boselli, No. 2, 1995; Jonathan Ogden, No. 4, 1996; Orlando Pace, No. 1, 1997, and Walter Jones, No. 6, 1997.
The demand for dancing bears to block the ever-increasing explosiveness of edge rushers has never been higher. In the first 55 years of the common draft only once, in 2013, had as many as nine offensive linemen been selected in the first round. Desperate teams drafted nine O-linemen in the Round 1 in two of the past three drafts.
“You go through these rosters,” an executive in personnel for an AFC team said, “these linemen are pathetic that are playing in the NFL.”
To put it mildly, every team is digging for giants with agility. What they’re seeing this spring is a good, not great cluster of tackles, better than most years but, of course, teams always want more.
“This is a mixed bag,” an AFC personnel man said. “If you talk to 10 people you get 10 different orders, I’m sure. There are very few left tackles. There are some very good right tackles and there’s some tackles that will probably end up playing guard. There’s some depth in this group and a bunch of ‘em are gonna go because they’re hard to find.
“There are no Ogdens, Bosellis, Walter Joneses. But in today’s football these guys go in the top 10, top 15 or top 20.”
TACKLES
1. WILL CAMPBELL, Louisiana State (6-6, 319, 4.98, 1): Third-year junior. “He’s super talented,” one scout said. “Can do it all. He’s quick, has feet, he’s athletic. His technique’s really good. In the run game, he can position or jolt people. In pass pro, he can mirror. He’ll give up some (pressure) every so often on an inside move mostly. He’s got Pro Bowl talent. His arms are a little short. That’d be the only concern.” Arm (32 5/8 inches) and hand (9 ½ inches) measurements at the combine (regarded as the standard by most teams) were the shortest/smallest among the top tackles. “There’s always exceptions, there’s always outliers,” the scout said.“When you look at what 32 5/8 is compared to 33, and actually put that on a ruler and look at it, if you’re not going to take a guy who has potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler, then, OK … ” Started all 38 games at left tackle. “He’s good,” said a second scout. “If you want to nitpick, his arms aren’t that long. Great kid. His interview, he sounded like a head coach at a P4 (Power Four) school. It was incredible. One of the best interviews I’ve heard in my life.” Five-star recruit from Monroe, La., where his family operates a farm. “He’s less than a Jonah Williams as a left tackle but as a right tackle he would be a good player,” a third scout said. “He’s built like a guard … and I think that’s where he’s going to end up. You can find plenty of negative reps on this kid. If you want to knock holes in him and not take him you can find whiffs and misses and getting pushed back. They love him at the school and in the interviews so he will win people over with the personality and the desire and all that. But if you take him as a left tackle you’re going to be disappointed. You’ve got to have alternative plans. If you take him as a right tackle or guard then he’ll prove to be a good pick.” Vertical jump was 32 inches, broad jump was 9-5. “Maybe he’s a guard but I still see him as a tackle,” said a fourth scout. “He’s got the feet and the balance. He’s got the ability to play tackle but I want a longer-armed guy. He’ll be a starter, a winner, might make a Pro Bowl a time or two. I don’t think he’s that consistent guy that’s gonna have a 12-year career and is going to seven, eight Pro Bowls. I don’t see that.”
2. KELVIN BANKS, Texas (6-5, 315, 5.14, 1): Third-year junior, three-year starter. “He did play left tackle but he’s got sort of a right tackle’s features,” one scout said. “He’s not perfect but he’s got the size and strength to both block in the run game and enough size and foot agility to protect the passer. If he fails at left tackle he’ll be a right tackle. He has the most value (of the tackles).” Started 42 games at left tackle. “Liked his size and power and had good feet,” said another scout. “He’s a really well-rounded offensive lineman.” Arms were 33 ½, hands were 10 3/8. “A guy that’s athletic,” a third scout said. “He does look like a guard but let him fail at tackle first because they’re harder to find.” From Humble, Texas. “I don’t see it in this guy,” a fourth scout said. “At all. Big dude. Average athlete. Gets beat a lot. Falls off blocks. Not very strong, not very athletic. Has issues in space. He’d have to be (a guard).”
3. ARMAND MEMBOU, Missouri (6-4, 332, 4.95, 1): Third-year junior, 2 ½-year starter at right tackle. “We got him as a right tackle-guard,” said one scout. “Like him. He could play four of five (positions). For a big fella he’s a really good athlete. Light on his feet. He can bend, he’s quick, plays with good position, uses his length well. He’s never on the ground. He’s strong, not overpowering and not real mean. This is a good player.” Arms were 33 ½, hands were 9 ¾. “Quick, light feet in pass pro, needs to win with his hands early,” said a second scout. “Struggles when power rushers get to his chest. Finishes in the run game and moves well in space. Wish he had a little more pop on contact. Like him at guard or tackle.” Excelled on the bench press (31 reps) and managed 34 inches in the vertical jump. “If you are set everywhere across your line Membou could be the best one (to draft),” said a third scout. “He’s a hell of a right tackle. Some might think he can play on the left side but he’s never done it. He’s a first-rounder even though he’s kind of a right tackle only. He’ll be fine at right tackle. I don’t think he’ll ever have to slide inside.” Four-star recruit from Lee’s Summit, Mo. “I loved his traits but I just didn’t think he was quite ready,” a fourth scout said. “He’s got big-time feet and range. That’s really good. Anchor’s kind of average. The instincts are kind of average. I think it will take a little bit of time so I don’t know if he’s a walk-in starter. I thought second round.” Turns 21 on Wednesday.
4. AIREONTAE ERSERY, Minnesota (6-6, 331, 5.06, 1-2): Started his final 38 games at left tackle before opting out of the Golden Gophers’ bowl game. “I was completely shocked by this guy,” said one scout. “He’s gigantic but he can play. He’s a little high-hipped and stiff-hipped but he’s got feet and excellent balance. He’s really smart … the technique’s there. Uses his hands excellent. Run game, he’s so damn big and he can position and really just move it. In pass pro he knows he’s big and uses his length perfectly. I compared him to Orlando Brown, another big guy, but this guy is better. He’s a better athlete. There will be a lot of talk about putting him at right (tackle) but I’d put him at left.” Didn’t start playing football until his junior year in high school. “Big, long, athletic,” said a second scout. “Fluid in space. Liked him better in run than pass. He can improve in the pass game just working on his technique and consistency and not giving up the edge a little bit.” Started his only game played in 2020, redshirted in 2021 and started at left tackle for three years. “Had a good week at the Senior Bowl,” a third scout said. “Excellent knee bend and foot quickness in his pass set. Good extension to get his hands inside and control. Had a really good game against Iowa. Showed ability to anchor with power and can move defenders in the run game. He can get a little lackadaisical at times with his techniques, steps and pad level. He didn’t have a ton of high-school experience and didn’t play at a really good high-school program. He came in there kind of raw and had to learn. He’s a better athlete than (Daniel) Faalele. This kid’s going to be a starting left tackle.” Arms were 33 1/8, hands were just 9 ½. “We were concerned about laziness, lack of discipline and for the process,” said a fourth scout. “That’s bad, especially for an offensive lineman. But he’s an easy mover, light on his feet, pretty good space player for a big guy. You question his awareness a little bit. He’s head and shoulders above Banks and (Josh) Conerly on pure talent.” From Kansas City. “I wouldn’t say he’s had a checkered past but he’s had some little character things,” one scout said. “I believe in him. I’ll say this. I don’t think the character things will hurt his draft spot.” Added a fifth scout: “He’s very stiff. If he’s in the first (round) he’ll be the 30th pick as a right tackle.”
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