The Draft Network: Offensive Tackle class shaping up to be great

[YoloinOhio]

[https://thedraftnetwork.com/2019/01/31/offensive-tackle-class-shaping-up-to-be-great/

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Up to this point, the strength of the class has been very clear and well-reported: iDL and EDGE are the winners. As it stands now, I have three interior defensive linemen in my Top-5 — I’m really high on Mississippi State DT Jeffery Simmons — and five EDGEs in my Top-15. There will be movin’ and shakin’ once athletic scores come in, and I’m likely to get more film work done on a few names as well if their scores surprise me. But it’s enough to say: the classes are strong.

 

But now I’m starting to realize: the next strongest class — and even potentially a stronger class — is that of the offensive tackles.

Now, if you follow the Draft closely, that should really stand out to you. Offensive tackle classes are generally a weaker class, especially at the top.

It’s becoming more and more difficult to roster two starting-caliber offensive tackles, because of the amount of work college prospects need. NFL teams are beginning to default to the same processes that colleges do: they gamble on the high-upside SPARQ warriors early, and try to coach them up into something passable. We’ve seen an explosion in small-school OTs accordingly: naturally-gifted dudes who need a ton of work, just like the Power-5 OTs do.

This paradigm makes this year’s OT class all the more shocking. I just wrapped up work on Florida OT Jawaan Taylor, who has exploded onto the scene in recent weeks as more analysts got into his film. Wow. A Top-20 player for me, without hesitation. As it stands, I’ll likely have four Top-20 tackles this season, which is more OTs than I had in the Top-50 of the past two seasons. Alabama’s Jonah Williams (8 OVR) and Oklahoma’s Cody Ford (10 OVR) are vying for the top spot, Taylor and Wisconsin’s David Edwardswill be comfortable Round 1 grades for me with great athletic profiles, and West Virginia’s Yodny Cajuste peers in from an Early Round 2 evaluation. Given how valuable the position is on the field, drafting Cajuste in Round 1 doesn’t hassle me at all.

Five. That’s five tackles I would love to take in Round 1.

Edited February 1, 2019 by YoloinOhio

[Cripple Creek]

Well, if we believe him then we can likely get a top player if we stay at 10 or drop down a bit and still get a solid tackle. 

[dollars 2 donuts]

Once again I am torn.

 

FA, or the possible lack there of with respect to OL, is going to be very telling on this draft.

 

If we get one or two OL in FA do we put off another OT in the draft because it is deep and actually draft a iDT or Edge pick at Number 1?

Edited February 1, 2019 by dollars 2 donuts

[thebandit27]

IDL and EDGE are easily the best positions, but yes, I agree that the OT class isn't far behind.

 

Which is great news for the Bills.  They can stay at 9, grab an elite prospect at IDL or EDGE, let the rest of the first round fill in with IDL, EDGE, and skill-position players, and still feel really good about getting a potential starting-quality OT in round 2 if they want.

 

Of course, knowing Beane, he'd probably use some of his 10 picks to move back into the end of round 1 to get an OT he really liked instead of waiting around.

[YoloinOhio]

5 minutes ago, dollars 2 donuts said:

Once again I am torn.

 

FA, or the possible lack there of with respect to OL, is going to be very telling on this draft.

 

If we get one or two OL in FA do we put off another OT in the draft because it is deep and actually draft a iDT or Edge pick at Number 1?

I would like to pick up one in FA but I think it’s hard to find really good ones there. It’s getting to the point where really good OL are so valuable they don’t make it to FA. I think you need to build your line through the draft if you want it to be elite.

[Bray Wyatt]

I think we are in a good spot draft wise tbh, if none of the DL guys we like slip, we can grab our top OT, if we have a couple still around, we can potentially trade back and get another pick or two and grab a guy we still want at a better value

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

Just now, YoloinOhio said:

I would like to pick up one in FA but I think it’s hard to find really good ones there. It’s getting to the point where really good OL are so valuable they don’t make it to FA. I think you need to build your line through the draft if you want it to be elite.

 

I am all in on this approach.  Especially when you consider that OL operates as a unit.  It is not a plug and play thing.  Guys need to learn to play together.  Drafting and developing allows guys to grow as individual players and as a unit.  

 

The OL will not be "fixed" next year.  It might be better, but it will take time.  Lets do this right.  

[dollars 2 donuts]

2 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

IDL and EDGE are easily the best positions, but yes, I agree that the OT class isn't far behind.

 

Which is great news for the Bills.  They can stay at 9, grab an elite prospect at IDL or EDGE, let the rest of the first round fill in with IDL, EDGE, and skill-position players, and still feel really good about getting a potential starting-quality OT in round 2 if they want.

 

Of course, knowing Beane, he'd probably use some of his 10 picks to move back into the end of round 1 to get an OT he really liked instead of waiting around.

 

Bandit, hate to ask the redundant question, but given the depth at both and our need for both, would you consider trading down to pick up something extra in the second or third?

 

Just now, YoloinOhio said:

I would like to pick up one in FA but I think it’s hard to find really good ones there. It’s getting to the point where really good OL are so valuable they don’t make it to FA. I think you need to build your line through the draft if you want it to be elite.

 

Yolo, my friend, you and I eat at the same restaurant on this subject.

 

Cheers!

[NoHuddleKelly12]

9 minutes ago, dollars 2 donuts said:

Once again I am torn.

 

FA, or the possible lack there of with respect to OL, is going to be very telling on this draft.

 

If we get one or two OL in FA do we put off another OT in the draft because it is deep and actually draft a iDT or Edge pick at Number 1?

Adding to that quandary is Beane's statement that they won't look to draft just for need over BPA, which would on the surface at least, indicate that the brain trust could go exactly as you describe in your question--just me personally, I feel like you can never have enough good prospects for depth on the line--we saw just how quickly unexpected injuries/retirements at that most vital of position groups can devastate that side of the ball. If OT is really rising and would not be a reach that early in the draft, then I'd probably be just fine with them taking one high. But this bears close watching as we get through FA. Don't really know if there's a right or wrong answer on this yet, Donuts.  

[oldmanfan]

I'd focus on C in free agency, then draft another T and G.

[CaptnCoke11]

24 minutes ago, Cripple Creek said:

Well, if we believe him then we can likely get a top player if we stay at 10 or drop down a bit and still get a solid tackle. 

When did we trade down to 10?

[thebandit27]

20 minutes ago, dollars 2 donuts said:

 

Bandit, hate to ask the redundant question, but given the depth at both and our need for both, would you consider trading down to pick up something extra in the second or third?

 

 

I'm not a big trade-down guy, especially when you're in the top 10 in a draft that is loaded with top-5 type talent at a position as critical as pass rusher (be it interior or EDGE).

 

I'm of the opinion that the team has enough picks, and that what they really need is to stock the roster elite prospects whenever possible.

[dollars 2 donuts]

Just now, thebandit27 said:

 

I'm not a big trade-down guy, especially when you're in the top 10 in a draft that is loaded with top-5 type talent at a position as critical as pass rusher (be it interior or EDGE).

 

I'm of the opinion that the team has enough picks, and that what they really need is to stock the roster elite prospects whenever possible.

 

 

Bandit...that is a straight forward and concise solid answer.

 

Thank you, Sir.

[Doc]

27 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

IDL and EDGE are easily the best positions, but yes, I agree that the OT class isn't far behind.

 

Which is great news for the Bills.  They can stay at 9, grab an elite prospect at IDL or EDGE, let the rest of the first round fill in with IDL, EDGE, and skill-position players, and still feel really good about getting a potential starting-quality OT in round 2 if they want.

 

Of course, knowing Beane, he'd probably use some of his 10 picks to move back into the end of round 1 to get an OT he really liked instead of waiting around.

 

If trading a day 3 pick meant getting a better prospect at the end of round 1 than would be available in the 2nd, I'd have no problem with it.

[dollars 2 donuts]

23 minutes ago, NoHuddleKelly12 said:

Adding to that quandary is Beane's statement that they won't look to draft just for need over BPA, which would on the surface at least, indicate that the brain trust could go exactly as you describe in your question--just me personally, I feel like you can never have enough good prospects for depth on the line--we saw just how quickly unexpected injuries/retirements at that most vital of position groups can devastate that side of the ball. If OT is really rising and would not be a reach that early in the draft, then I'd probably be just fine with them taking one high. But this bears close watching as we get through FA. Don't really know if there's a right or wrong answer on this yet, Donuts.  

 

 

Outstanding, Huds.

 

Honestly, brother, how long has it been since we've had not only loved our line, but loved the depth at it?  

 

Knowing that if someone goes down we don't have to worry goes the next Bill up can go a game or 2?

 

Man, I mean we've been pining so long for just five good ones the last memory I have of having more than 5 goes back to the sup bowl days.

 

I wish Marv would have added OL to his, you never can have enough quality DBs statement.

[Chuck Wagon]

4 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

 

I'm not a big trade-down guy, especially when you're in the top 10 in a draft that is loaded with top-5 type talent at a position as critical as pass rusher (be it interior or EDGE).

 

I'm of the opinion that the team has enough picks, and that what they really need is to stock the roster elite prospects whenever possible.

 

 

Could not agree more.

 

It's one thing to drop from 9 to 15 where we very likely are still getting a "blue", especially if several QBs go early.  But it's going to take A LOT in my mind to go from 9 to ~25.

[CookieG]

18 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

I would like to pick up one in FA but I think it’s hard to find really good ones there. It’s getting to the point where really good OL are so valuable they don’t make it to FA. I think you need to build your line through the draft if you want it to be elite.

 

I'm going to go off the board and say...draft 2 in the first two rounds. Preferably with a trade down for an extra pick or two.

 

The tight FA market is one factor. Another...the bigger factor is that we're not in a situation where we need to plug a single hole, we need to plug 3-4. Add in that quality OL are becoming more scarce in the draft. 

 

2 quality tackles...one of whom can play the interior...or move Dawkins to G.

 

Or. 1 tackle and a C like Bradbury if he's still there. I might be the only one, but I'd be thrilled with a Risner/Bradbury 1-2, or a few other combinations.

 

Possibilities open up. You can make a really positive step towards building a quality unit, rather than taking a patchwork or piecemeal approach...but only if the commitment is there. This is THE year to make that commitment.

 

An edge rusher does nothing to improve a 30th ranked offense. 

 

Work the problem.

 

 

 

 

[YoloinOhio]

15 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

 

I'm not a big trade-down guy, especially when you're in the top 10 in a draft that is loaded with top-5 type talent at a position as critical as pass rusher (be it interior or EDGE).

 

I'm of the opinion that the team has enough picks, and that what they really need is to stock the roster elite prospects whenever possible.

I think Beane could trade down depending on the haul but won’t go much further than top 15. If he did not trade down from 9 and picked BPA i would not be disappointed because they have needs everywhere. Imo he will try to package some of the later picks and move up in some of the mid rounds, or trade for a player from a team who will be changing their scheme . We don’t so much need to add 10 rookies  as we need a talent infusion.

Edited February 1, 2019 by YoloinOhio

[jwhit34]

The best or at least 2nd best line in team history was The Electric Co., Donnie Green was a 5th rounder in '71, Reggie McKenzie was the 1st pick in the 2nd round in '72 and then Paul Seymour (a TE but essentially the 6th OL man) was 7th overall and Joe DeLamielleure 26th pick in first round in '73. Bruce Jarvis, who was the C until Mike Montler came aboard, was a 3rd round pick in '71. 

 

The Super Bowl lines had high picks too (Wolford, Ritcher, Parker, Fina) and a picked up Hull from USFL (even better pickup than getting Montler). 

 

If the position is that loaded, I would like to see a move down and pick up and extra 2nd or 3rd, get 2 for OL in first 3 rounds. Pick up 1 or 2 in free agency then you have those 4, Dawkins and Teller for 5 spots, Bodine as a depth guy. There's 7 of the 8 or 9 you keep. Pick up another that's a project with one of those extra late round picks, I wouldn't mind seeing 3 OL men drafted with the 10 (or 11 if a trade down) picks. 

 

3 OL

2 WR

1 TE

Remaining picks best player available

[GunnerBill]

The OT class doesn't have elite type prospects but there is a lot of depth. There might be 7 or 8 guys who could start and perform well as rookies. Although at least three of those (Williams, Ford, Risner) are guys who I wonder whether ultimately might be better inside. Then a couple of others - Taylor and Edwards are guys who I have primarily pegged as RTs which from a positional sense limits their value a touch.

 

I actually really like Edwards. Monster run blocker. I think he would come in and maul NFL DLinemen right off the bat he has that kind of power and movement ability.