cowboyjoe
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Rick Gosselin ranks the top offensive linemen heading into the 2011 N.F.L. draft.
Draft Watch: Offensive line
The Arkansas Razorbacks no longer play in the Southwest Conference. The Razorbacks look East for their competition on the gridiron – but they still look West for players. Arkansas recruited offensive lineman DeMarcus Love out of Dallas Carter, and he's one of the top tackle prospects in the 2011 NFL draft. The NFL likes his size (almost 6-5 and 315 pounds) and versatility. He started at right guard in 2008, right tackle in 2009 and left tackle this season. Here's a list of the top offensive linemen heading into the 2011 NFL draft:
Player, school Ht. Wt.
1. t-Nate Solder, Colorado 6-8 302
2. t-Anthony Castonzo, Bos Coll 6-7 297
3. c-Stefen Wisniewski, Penn St 6-3 295
4. t-DaMarcus Love, Arkansas 6-4 ½ 315
5. t-Derek Sherrod, Miss St 6-5 305
6. c-Rodney Hudson, Fla St 6-2 ½ 279
7. t-Marcus Gilbert, Florida 6-6 316
8. g-Clint Boling, Georgia 6-4 306
9. t-Orlando Franklin, Miami-F 6-6 ½ 315
10. t-Jason Pinkston, Pitt 6-3 ½ 310
t-Tackle; g-Guard; c-Center
The Mark Ingram Derby
I'm not a fan of underclassmen applying for admission to the NFL draft. Most of them aren't ready physically, psychologically or emotionally for the NFL. But running back is the one position that I can make an exception. I'm of the belief that there are only so many carries in the body of a running back – so don't waste them on campus. That's why you've seen so many great backs leave school early and succeed in the NFL without much struggle. Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Marshall Faulk, Curtis Martin and Jerome Bettis are some of the more prominent backs to leave school early. For that reason, I'd be surprised if 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram returns to Alabama in 2011 for his senior year. He's the best running back in college football and would be a hot commodity on draft day, whether it's 2011 or 2012. Imagine Ingram and C.J. Spiller as a 1-2 punch for the Buffalo Bills.
Draft Watch: Offensive line
The Arkansas Razorbacks no longer play in the Southwest Conference. The Razorbacks look East for their competition on the gridiron – but they still look West for players. Arkansas recruited offensive lineman DeMarcus Love out of Dallas Carter, and he's one of the top tackle prospects in the 2011 NFL draft. The NFL likes his size (almost 6-5 and 315 pounds) and versatility. He started at right guard in 2008, right tackle in 2009 and left tackle this season. Here's a list of the top offensive linemen heading into the 2011 NFL draft:
Player, school Ht. Wt.
1. t-Nate Solder, Colorado 6-8 302
2. t-Anthony Castonzo, Bos Coll 6-7 297
3. c-Stefen Wisniewski, Penn St 6-3 295
4. t-DaMarcus Love, Arkansas 6-4 ½ 315
5. t-Derek Sherrod, Miss St 6-5 305
6. c-Rodney Hudson, Fla St 6-2 ½ 279
7. t-Marcus Gilbert, Florida 6-6 316
8. g-Clint Boling, Georgia 6-4 306
9. t-Orlando Franklin, Miami-F 6-6 ½ 315
10. t-Jason Pinkston, Pitt 6-3 ½ 310
t-Tackle; g-Guard; c-Center
The Mark Ingram Derby
I'm not a fan of underclassmen applying for admission to the NFL draft. Most of them aren't ready physically, psychologically or emotionally for the NFL. But running back is the one position that I can make an exception. I'm of the belief that there are only so many carries in the body of a running back – so don't waste them on campus. That's why you've seen so many great backs leave school early and succeed in the NFL without much struggle. Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Marshall Faulk, Curtis Martin and Jerome Bettis are some of the more prominent backs to leave school early. For that reason, I'd be surprised if 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram returns to Alabama in 2011 for his senior year. He's the best running back in college football and would be a hot commodity on draft day, whether it's 2011 or 2012. Imagine Ingram and C.J. Spiller as a 1-2 punch for the Buffalo Bills.
