Top 5 OT (positional rankings thread)

[jterrell]

My top 5.

1) Derek Sherrod. I know I rank him about 3 slots higher than most and that's partly because I really like his overall skillset but also because I really dislike some of these other guys. He is big guy who has quality pass rushing skills and dominates in the run game. Good wing span helps against speed rushers and it is hard to get past his reach without a re-direct. Handled very good young pass rushers at the Senior Bowl and dominated same guys in run game.

2) Tyron Smith. Smith has the best upside of the OTs imho but is a bit of a gamble. If he adds weight and shows up at the combine over 300 he probably goes off the board first. But I'd question if he can stay above 300 the first few years over the course of an NFL season. Dallas had Al Johnson and a few others who suffered from that. Really athletic guys who struggled to maintain enough weight to handle the physical challenge. Smith's strength and weight totals will determine his final draft ranking.

3) Gabe Carimi. Probably a RT by trade but a 10 year starter there imho. He looked outstanding next to the Wisc OG but not so great one on one or with others around him. In line play a big plus. A great fit for Dallas in a trade down because we need a RT that can start day 1 and Carimi can do that imho.

4) Nate Solder. Excellent athlete and most likely to take romance cover photos but struggled with balance and strength at the Senior Bowl. Having a 6 pack is not really a trait to aspire to in an offensive tackle. but he has tremendous possible upside if everything clicks. He could be massive in a pure strength building program where he gave up the pretty boy stuff and stuffed in 6000 calories a day.

5) Benjamin Ijalana. Ben is probably a RT or Guard at the next level but has the size you need to stone guys off the line and the upside to make Pro Bowls. Dominated lesser caliber competition so how he looks at the combine will determine his fate in the draft. When a guy hasn't had the coaching at BC, Wisconsin or UT they tend to have a bit better upside with NFL training.

 

[fishspill]

I there with you on the top 3. I'm no expert but I think Sherrod gets shortchanged. We'll see in a few years.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

3) Gabe Carimi. He looked outstanding next to the Wisc OG but not so great one on one or with others around him.

Requesting further explanation

 

[The Realist]

Requesting further explanation

He looked bad in one on one drills when pass rushers had lanes 8 miles wide on either side.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

He looked bad in one on one drills when pass rushers had lanes 8 miles wide on either side.

I thought Carimi looked absolutely amazing at setting the edge in game action on the youtubes. That was actually the first thing that jumped out to me. He wouldnt just be content riding his man past the QB.(A dangerous move that Colombo fell in love with that killed him). Gabe would actually punch with his hands and engage pretty early on in the play. Then pretty much gave not much ground to ensure a clean pocket on the blind side. It couldnt be more in space and I came away very confident in his pass blocking. And it would only be easier on the right side

 

[The Realist]

I thought Carimi looked absolutely amazing at setting the edge in game action on the youtubes. That was actually the first thing that jumped out to me. He wouldnt just be content riding his man past the QB.(A dangerous move that Colombo fell in love with that killed him). Gabe would actually punch with his hands and engage pretty early on in the play. Then pretty much gave not much ground to ensure a clean pocket on the blind side. It couldnt be more in space and I came away very confident in his pass blocking. And it would only be easier on the right side

He's a stud. There's a reason he's going in 1 or top of 2 and Moffitt is going in 3-4 or possibly lower. It's not just that OT is a higher value position. Carimi is just better. I like em both and I'll take em both but Carimi is much better.

 

[28 Joker]

That is pretty good. I think Sherrod is a natural LT and will be a solid one for many years. He has upside and can get stronger and add bulk to his lower legs. I like them like this:

1. Tyron Smith
2. Derek Sherrod
3. Nate Solder
4. Anthony Costonzo
5. Ben Ijalana
6. Gabe Carimi

Costonzo is a little light in the pants for Dallas, but he should be a good LT. Other teams will like him better, much better probably.

If Dallas takes Tyron Smith at 9 and plugs him right in at RT, I think they could come off the board like this:

Dallas- Smith
Detroit- Costonzo
New York- Solder
Philadelphia- Sherrod
Indianapolis- Uh, oh.

Smith's strength in the running game, in pass protection, athletic ability, wide base, and RT experience fit perfect, and his LT upside and age is ridiculous.

The Lions picked another Boston College OT, if I recall correctly. Costonzo fits what they need to keep Stafford from getting beat on repeatedly.

Coughlin coached a similar type of offensive tackle at Jacksonvlle, and how much longer will they play with what they have.

The Eagles need a RT to protect Vick's blind side. Vick took a whole lot of punishment. I think Sherrod is a natural LT, but he should be a really good fit for the Eagles. He can get stronger in his legs and add some weight and be a good one.

The Colts are going to try to move up, I think. Manning must be protected. They probably would be happy with Sherrod. Bill Polian has already stated that not drafting Saffold was a mistake. I bet they like Smith, Costonzo, Solder, and Sherrod.

OT is one position that rises, so I'm sure the Colts are hoping the Cowboys don't start the run.

I don't see how Detroit can continue to play with what they have. Stafford is not going to last. You can get a CB in round 2. Stafford is a multi-million dollar investment at QB. He is the franchise.

I don't see how Dallas can continue to play with Colombo at RT and having nothing behind Free is playing with fire and hoping for a 6th round, phone booth player (Sam Young) to block the first round picks and Pro Bowlers in the division is just poor team building and devaluing the position. Romo has taken too many hits in two of the past three years and was knocked out for the year last year. Felix Jones needs much better run blocking to his right, and he needs a RT who can get him in space and to the second level, where he can explode.

Colts must try to get one, and they may have to move.

The Vikings are a darkhorse team to watch on this front. I don't think they are happy with their LT. Plus, he has been in some trouble. Obviously, they need a QB.

 

[burmafrd]

Actually what Smith looks like at his pro day will really tell the tale. Especially if he looks soft at all at the Combine. If smith is over 300 and looks ripped at his pro day then he will be the first OT taken.

 

[jterrell]

Requesting further explanation

Carimi looks much better in game situations or when he has that guard next to him and he knows the player is going either right at him or to one edge. He struggled some in space in Senior Bowl practices against guys like Brooks Reed or other 3-4 OLB types.


He didn't play in the actual game so nothing to pull from there.

He is a quality player to be sure and would be a nice fit in Dallas. He is ready to go at RT imho now. BUT... I do not think he has massive upside after a very good OL coach had him and he was on a team built round it's OL. He is athletically sound but not a naturally fluid guy that you'd prefer at LT.

He was outstanding at Wisconsin to be sure but they ran so well it meant pass blocking was fairly easy to do. That's what we'd love to do here....

 

[Avery]

Lots of talented RT's in this draft. Solder and Smith can both be on the left but I have questions for both of them.

Wish Carimi would last until we pick in the second but that may be a tall order.