SI 300 Rankings: OL
More than 15,000 pounds' worth of players eager to hit the trenches
8 BRANDON SCHERFF, T
IOWA (6'5", 319 LBS.)
PROS
Outland Trophy winner plays with wide, strong base. Excellent second-level blocker targets defenders well in space. Weight-room monster.
CONS
Lateral movement is not a strength; struggles at times to move outside and maintain leverage.
NFL COMP
Jake Long
12 LA'EL COLLINS, T
LSU (6'4", 305 lbs.)
PROS
Knockdown machine with an aggressive attitude, he was often the biggest bully on the block—that, in the SEC.
CONS
Aggression works against him at tackle; teams may see him as a guard.
NFL COMP
Orlando Franklin
19 ANDRUS PEAT, T
Stanford (6'7", 313 lbs.)
PROS
Fits physical mold of a franchise OT—tall, long arms, carries weight well. Habitually fires his way to the secondary.
CONS
Needs to be more ornery through the whistle.
NFL COMP
Nate Solder
24 CAMERON ERVING, C
Florida State (6'5", 313 lbs.)
PROS
Versatility: Started as a D-tackle; voted first-team All-ACC at left tackle in 2013 and third-team at center in '14.
CONS
Has played all of five games at center.
NFL COMP
Weston Richburg
26 T.J. CLEMMINGS, T
Pittsburgh (6'5", 309 lbs.)
PROS
Physically imposing, with room for muscular development. Buries defenders with leverage.
CONS
Lets edge rushers leak to backside when he's tired.
NFL COMP
Tyron Smith
30 JAKE FISHER, T
Oregon (6'6", 306 lbs.)
PROS
Very agile for tackle position (background at TE). Thrived in the Ducks' speed-based system.
CONS
Still developing: Weighed in low-200-pound range not long ago.
NFL COMP
Sebastian Vollmer
37 ERECK FLOWERS, T
Miami (6'6", 329 lbs.)
PROS
Plays with as much edge as any lineman in this class. Stays engaged up to, and at times even through, the whistle.
CONS
Team that drafts him will have to live with penalties.
NFL COMP
Cordy Glenn
45 LAKEN TOMLINSON, G
Duke (6'3", 323 lbs.)
PROS
Dominant at times as run blocker in a phone booth—in his gap, moving forward. Intelligent; tremendous raw strength.
CONS
Very inconsistent with hand placement—tends to stab instead of locking on.
NFL COMP
Trai Turner
48 D.J. HUMPHRIES, T
Florida (6'5", 307 lbs.)
PROS
Nimble feet are perhaps the main reason NFL teams envision him as a long-term LT. Covers ground quickly.
CONS
Lack of experience (19 starts); health questions.
NFL COMP
Duane Brown
51 A.J. CANN, G
South Carolina (6'3", 313 lbs.)
PROS
Durable, hard-working, solid in technique. Does his best work in close quarters. Leverage is usually very good.
CONS
Shorter than NFL standard. Can struggle against powerful interior DL.
NFL COMP
Larry Warford
53 TRE' JACKSON, G
Florida State (6'4", 330 lbs.)
PROS
Potent punch in the run game; moves very well along interior to execute wham/trap blocks. Does a very good job of sealing along the interior.
CONS
Bad habit of dropping eyes just before contact.
NFL COMP
Justin Blalock
60 CEDRIC OGBUEHI, T
Texas A&M (6'5", 306 lbs.)
PROS
Quick, agile athlete for his size. Plays with good lateral speed, power and wide base to keep defenders at bay.
CONS
More of an engager than a true drive blocker.
NFL COMP
Derek Sherrod
67 TY SAMBRAILO, T
Colorado State (6'6", 311 lbs.)
PROS
Former skiing champion sets and seals the edge quickly and consistently when run-blocking. Nasty demeanor shows up when he pulls outside.
CONS
Not an ideal build; needs to improve strength all around.
NFL COMP
Riley Reiff
89 ALI MARPET, C
Hobart (6'4", 307 lbs.)
PROS
One of the quickest linemen in this crop, he stole the show at the combine: 4.98 40, a 4.47 shuttle and a 7.33 three-cone drill.
CONS
Rarely challenged by small-school schedule.
NFL COMP
Chris Chester
92 HRONISS GRASU, C
Oregon (6'3", 297 lbs.)
PROS
Smart, proven leader of an up-tempo, diverse offense. Is able to establish his positioning in a heartbeat.
CONS
Short yardage was a struggle at Oregon.
NFL COMP
Ben Jones
94 REESE DISMUKES, C
Auburn (6'3", 296 lbs.)
PROS
Gets into his set quickly from the snap and rights his body well for pass protection. Technique, attitude allow him to play stronger than his size in run game. Natural leader.
CONS
Lack of bulk becomes problematic when he plays too high and loses power.
NFL COMP
Weston Richburg
103 DONOVAN SMITH, T
Penn State (6'6", 338 lbs.)
PROS
Relies on quick feet in run blocking. Shows some power, with the potential for more.
CONS
Aside from the Senior Bowl, has yet to fully impress with any degree of consistency.
NFL COMP
Andre Smith
105 DARYL WILLIAMS, T
Oklahoma (6'5", 327 lbs.)
PROS
Puts massive frame to good use in run game. Can get a quick jump off snap and bowl over defenders.
CONS
His attempts to land the first blow can leave him off-center and lunging.
NFL COMP
Ramon Foster
106 B.J. FINNEY, C
Kansas State (6'4", 318 lbs.)
PROS
Mean and smart—coveted traits for a center. Experience playing multiple positions.
CONS
Short arms (32"); won't make many plays in space.
NFL COMP
Bryan Stork
112 ROB HAVENSTEIN, T
Wisconsin (6'7", 321 lbs.)
PROS
Size and mentality to be strong run blocker. Quick for a massive player.
CONS
Somewhat stiff, plays tall as a pass blocker.
NFL COMP
Phil Loadholt
113 JOSUE MATIAS, G
Florida State (6'5", 309 lbs.)
PROS
Excellent at getting to second level quickly, eliminating LBs in run game.
CONS
Not great at the point of attack on power rushes.
NFL COMP
James Carpenter
115 ANDY GALLIK, C
Boston College (6'2", 306 lbs.)
PROS
Tough-nosed battler can leverage against larger DTs. Mauler in power run game.
CONS
Can get lost in space on sweeps, screens.
NFL COMP
Bryan Stork
122 TYRUS THOMPSON, T
Oklahoma (6'5", 324 lbs.)
PROS
Good size; aggressive run-blocker. Long arms help in pass protection.
CONS
Could struggle against quicker pass rushers.
NFL COMP
Austin Howard
149 COREY ROBINSON, T
South Carolina (6'7", 324 lbs.)
PROS
Imposing specimen uses massive frame in intelligent ways in pass protection, especially vs. speed rushers.
CONS
Weak initial punch. Often beaten by quick first step off the edge.
NFL COMP
Corey Hilliard
152 JAMIL DOUGLAS, G
ARIZONA STATE (6'4", 304 LBS.)
PROS
Does a good job getting out in space, pulling or on screens. Able to find targets, engage while in motion.
CONS
Best suited to a zone scheme. Can lose at the point of attack too often when asked to angle block in run game.
NFL COMP
Chad Rinehart
153 JOHN MILLER, G
Louisville (6'2", 303 lbs.)
PROS
Played both LG and RG senior year. A mauler of a player. Most comfortable when asked to fire off the line with power.
CONS
Game can look too fast for him. More creative D's give him problems.
NFL COMP
Rob Sims
154 ARIE KOUANDJIO, G
Alabama (6'5", 310 lbs.)
PROS
Mammoth man (with frame to add weight) plays light on his feet, can be dominant on the ground. Long wingspan gives him advantage in pass-blocking.
CONS
Gets lost in the action. Complicated medical history.
NFL COMP
James Carpenter
157 SEAN HICKEY, T
Syracuse (6'5", 309 lbs.)
PROS
Very adept at mirroring his opponent; never flustered by D-line games. Picks up stunts, blitzes with ease.
CONS
Lacks good initial punch, especially in ground game.
NFL COMP
Dan Connolly
164 JARVIS HARRISON, G
Texas A&M (6'4", 330 lbs.)
PROS
Great build in lower body helps him anchor in the run game and absorb rushers in pass protection.
CONS
Some question his commitment to football over basketball. Can be lazy.
NFL COMP
Justin Blalock
169 SHAQ MASON, C
Georgia Tech (6'1", 300 lbs.)
PROS
Logged 52 games at Tech, playing all three interior positions. Exceptionally strong; premier drive blocker.
CONS
Short arms for an NFL lineman. Rarely called on for pass protection in college.
NFL COMP
A.Q. Shipley
170 MITCH MORSE, G
MISSOURI (6'5", 305 LBS.)
PROS
Plays with good instincts: Reacts well to blitzes; knows when to climb to second level, hitting blocks with good angles.
CONS
His 32¼" arms make him ill-suited to block on the edge. Needs to improve knee bend.
NFL COMP
Nate Chandler
171 JEREMIAH POUTASI, T
Utah (6'5", 335 lbs.)
PROS
Powerful drive blocker in run game. Huge wingspan, massive lower body. Can get to the second level as quickly as any O-lineman.
CONS
Really struggles with speed off edge. Inconsistent finishing his blocks.
NFL COMP
Rodger Saffold
174 ANDREW DONNAL, T
Iowa (6'6", 313 lbs.)
PROS
Tall, but plays with enough base to anchor on the edge. Fighter: Does whatever he can to get guys blocked.
CONS
You'd think he'd be a more physically imposing blocker at his size.
NFL COMP
Erik Pears
183 AUSTIN SHEPHERD, T
Alabama (6'4", 315 lbs.)
PROS
Solid frame. Blue-collar blocker and brawler. Flashes ability to punch and recover. Rides speed defenders upfield.
CONS
Doesn't have the long arms you covet in an OT; defenders can get under him.
NFL COMP
Don Barclay
203 ADAM SHEAD, G
Oklahoma (6'4", 338 lbs.)
PROS
Massive road grader. Uses weight effectively run-blocking when he connects squarely with defenders.
CONS
Stiff in pass protection. Inconsistent footwork. Looks awkward at times run-blocking.
NFL COMP
Johnnie Troutman
207 MARK GLOWINSKI, G
West Virginia (6'4", 307 lbs.)
PROS
Has the height and length to control blockers inside, the feet to reach blocks.
CONS
Must get stronger—and has the frame to do so.
NFL COMP
J.R. Sweezy
211 ROBERT MYERS, T
Tennessee State (6'5", 326 lbs.)
PROS
Imposing specimen with extremely strong lower body and long arms that allow him to control defenders. Doesn't give ground against a bull rush.
CONS
Better angle blocker than zone blocker. Struggled with speed off the edge.
NFL COMP
Davin Joseph
218 BEN BECKWITH, G
Miss. State (6'3", 306 lbs.)
PROS
Pass-blocking technique is excellent; consistently good footwork. Showed versatility by sliding to center last fall.
CONS
Athleticism is subpar, creating a host of vulnerabilities.
NFL COMP
Jamon Meredith
220 MILES DIEFFENBACH, G
Penn State (6'3", 303 lbs.)
PROS
Shows good football IQ and strength at point of attack. Started 26 games; plenty of experience against Power Five teams.
CONS
Strength and agility seemed to decrease after left-ACL injury in March '14.
NFL COMP
John Urschel
230 GREG MANCZ, C
Toledo (6'4", 301 lbs.)
PROS
Excellent versatility: Played multiple positions along O-line. Shows ability to hit moving targets.
CONS
Will struggle to move bigger DTs one-on-one.
NFL COMP
J.C. Tretter
237 JON FELICIANO, G
Miami (6'4", 323 lbs.)
PROS
Great power with tremendous lower-body strength. A bulldozer when Miami pulled the guard.
CONS
Lacks the athleticism to match his strength.
NFL COMP
Zane Beadles
246 MAX GARCIA, C
Florida (6'4", 309 lbs.)
PROS
Strong enough base to stand up pass rushers at line of scrimmage and hold them in place. Good vision peeling off double teams.
CONS
Played in shotgun; limited direct snaps.
NFL COMP
Manny Ramirez
247 JAMON BROWN, T
Louisville (6'4", 323 lbs.)
PROS
It's not hyperbolic to say he's massive. Sheer space he takes up makes it hard for DEs to run around him.
CONS
Prone to overextend in pass protection, leaving him off-balance.
NFL COMP
Adam Snyder
264 BRETT BOYKO, T
UNLV (6'7", 301 lbs.)
PROS
Good length and has proved to be a quick learner. Great instincts that allow him to counter rushers' first and second moves.
CONS
Plenty to improve: knee bend, hand placement, leverage.
NFL COMP
Jonathan Scott
266 LEON BROWN, G
Alabama (6'6", 320 lbs.)
PROS
Uses frame to block with power. Drives feet through contact to move his man.
CONS
Moved from tackle to guard because he simply doesn't have quickness to play outside. Even as a guard his speed is subpar.
NFL COMP
Johnnie Troutman
273 TAYO FABULUJE, G
TCU (6'6", 353 lbs.)
PROS
Carries a hulking frame that's hard to push back or move around. Strong north-south lead blocker on running plays.
CONS
Lacks lateral quickness to stay with edge rushers moving across his face.
NFL COMP
Byron Bell
279 TRENTON BROWN, G
Florida (6'8", 355 lbs.)
PROS
Absolutely huge. One-on-one, you can't move him. Flashes powerful punch. Punishing combo blocker.
CONS
Not going to hit a moving target in space.
NFL COMP
Oniel Cousins
298 AUNDREY WALKER, G
USC (6'6", 315 lbs.)
PROS
Fires off ball in run game. Has long arms to fight off defenders. Mirrors well; moves feet to stay in front.
CONS
Needs to anchor better. Bull rushers will give him trouble.
NFL COMP
Jamon Meredith
Top 40 time at combine
ALI MARPET 4.98
Top bench-press reps at combine
ERECK FLOWERS 37
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JEFF HAYNES FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
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RICK SCUTERI/AP
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ALBERT PENA/CSM
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JASON PARKHURST FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
