NFL Draft Preview: Offensive Linemen
By John Tuvey, Senior Editor
April 8, 2005 5:00 PM ET
Alex Barron has the potential to be the next Orlando Pace... or Tony Mandarich.
With D'Brickashaw Ferguson opting to return to Virginia for one more season, Max Jean-Giles heading back to Georgia, and Miami's Eric Winston not coming out early after tearing up his knee last season, there may be more elite talent still in school than in the NFL Draft later this month. There's no Robert Gallery here, and it's highly probable only one lineman will be selected in the top half of round one.
However, as many as three or four more big fellas might get to shake hands with Paul Tagliabue before round one is complete, and there are plenty of beefy bodies whose names will be called out by Gene Washington on the first day. None are expected to make an immediate splash, but several long-term anchors could come out of this year's proceedings.
Alex Barron, Florida State
Height: 6-7
Weight: 320
Likely Draft Position: Mid-first round
Possible Destinations: Lions, Texans, Rams
NFL Comparison: Tra Thomas
Barron has everything the NFL wants in an offensive tackle: ginormous size, with a frame that already holds 320 pounds and could easily add 15 more; tremendous footwork and quickness; exceptionally long arms; and experience starting—nay, excelling—for a perennial powerhouse program. His athleticism has drawn comparisons to Orlando Pace and Walter Jones. So why isn't he considered the next Gallery? Despite all the positives, Barron is still viewed as somewhat of a project. He dominated defensive linemen in college, but he may lack the strength to do so at the pro level, and scouts have questioned both his aggressiveness and work ethic. Nonetheless, he's widely considered the premier pass blocker in the draft and is a classic boom-bust pick who could end up being the next Pace… or the next Tony Mandrich.
Jammal Brown, Oklahoma
Height: 6-6
Weight: 313
Likely Draft Position: Mid- to late first round
Possible Destinations: Texans, Rams, Falcons
NFL Comparison: Jordan Gross
If Barron is has the greatest potential of any lineman in this draft, Brown is the safest pick. He's not quite as big as Barron and has been accused of failing to finish his blocks, but he's a three-time All-Big 12 performer who consistently delivers what he is asked to produce. Brown did not allow a single sack during his final season at Oklahoma, winning the Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman in the process. He's projected as more of a right tackle in the NFL, and of the top-ranked offensive linemen on the board he's the one most likely to contribute immediately. Several teams have "offensive lineman" as their secondary need, and if the top players at their primary position of need have gone off the board, Brown will likely be somebody's first-round consolation prize. It's unlikely they'll be disappointed.
Khalif Barnes, Washington
Height: 6-6
Weight: 305
Likely Draft Position: Late first round, early second round
Possible Destinations: Falcons, Jets, Ravens
NFL Comparison: Chris Samuels
Barnes is extraordinarily fast for a big fella, clocking a pair of sub-5.0 40s at the combine. He could use a little more bulk, however, and he's not yet strong enough to dominate NFL defensive linemen, but those are certainly facets of his game that could be added as he matures. He's got a bit of nastiness to him as well, and while a wrist injury ended his final season at Washington prematurely, his performance at the Senior Bowl moved him up back the board a bit. Barnes' speed could allow him to be an elite left tackle in the league, so long as he's willing to hit the weight room and bulk up.
Elton Brown, Virginia
Height: 6-5
Weight: 329
Likely Draft Position: Early to mid-second round
Possible Destinations: Patriots, Colts, Broncos
NFL Comparison: Alan Faneca
Not only is Brown massive, he also is one of the better pulling linemen in the draft; hence the comparison to Faneca. Brown could have left Virginia early, but his decision to stay was rewarded with a team captaincy and several All-American honors. Despite his ability to get to the second level of the defense, Brown isn't viewed as a great athlete and scouts are concerned about him not properly applying his sizeable frame against equally large defenders. Most reports indicate he'll be a better fit for a zone blocking team, which could move him up or down the draft board depending on how the early going shakes out.
David Baas, Michigan
Height: 6-4
Weight: 319
Likely Draft Position: Second round
Possible Destinations: Vikings, Bears, Packers
NFL Comparison: Marco Rivera
Baas is versatile enough to play center or guard, athletic enough to get into the second level, and strong enough to handle whomever he encounters. There is very little not to like about him, though scouts were concerned he bulked up too much before his final season at Michigan and lost some of his quickness; over the course of the season, Baas shed the weight and regained his speed. Baas isn't going to drop jaws with his athleticism, but as three straight All-Big Ten selections indicate he is entirely capable of getting the job done.
Chris Spencer, Mississippi
Height: 6-3
Weight: 309
Likely Draft Position: Second round
Possible Destinations: Bengals, Bills, Seahawks
NFL Comparison: Jeff Faine
Spencer is generally considered the best pure center in this year's draft, though fans of LSU's Ben Wilkerson would certainly have reason to dispute those claims. Spencer has the most upside, however, as his frame could add a bit more bulk and he's only played the position for one season. The two-time state powerlifting champion did not allow a sack during his collegiate career and could see time at guard if he's drafted by a team that already has a capable center.
Other linemen to watch: Jason Brown, C (North Carolina); Marcus Johnson, G/T (Mississippi); Chris Kemoeatu, G (Utah); Logan Mankins, G/T (Fresno State); Evan Mathis, G (Alabama); Michael Munoz, T (Tennessee); Claude Terrell, G (New Mexico); Adam Terry, T (Syracuse); Ben Wilkerson, C (LSU).
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