See my other NFL Draft positional analyses here:
Offense: QB/WR/RB/TE/OT/G-C
Defense: CB/S/ILB/OLB/DE/DT
1. Zack Martin (G/OT), Notre Dame
I have Zack Martin as one of my top rated tackles, but I want to put him here as well since a team may draft him as a guard due to his size. He would be a safe pick as a guard if teams think he would not work out at tackle. Since left tackle has become a premier position, teams would much rather Martin play tackle if they believe he has the talent.
Grade: A-
2. Xavier Su'a-Filo (G), UCLA
Su'a-Filo's stock may rise come May. As a freshman he started at left tackle and had a very successful season. This season he has played left guard and also some left tackle due to his teammate’s injuries. While he has played some left tackle he is a better fit at guard. Su'a-Filo is a very balanced run and pass blocker who has fairly solid fundamentals with a lot of room for improvement.
Grade: A-
3. Gabe Jackson (G), Mississippi State
Gabe Jackson is a prototypical guard with above average run blocking capabilities. He gets to the second level when run blocking and is a very strong pass blocker, but occasionally has trouble with speed on the inside rush. While this draft has some talented interior lineman, I would still say they are not up to par with the two extraordinary guards last year in Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper.
Grade: B+
4. David Yankey (G), Stanford
David Yankey has had an up and down season. He seems to be a very solid run blocker, but sometimes has trouble with the speedy pass rushers. Yankey is a hard worker and even has the possibility to play tackle as he played left tackle for some of his junior season with Stanford. He will more than likely be drafted as a guard though. David Yankey has been said to be a very aggressive lineman with a great work ethic and should be a solid player in the NFL.
Grade: B+
5. Cyril Richardson (G), Baylor
Richardson was a huge force on Baylor's offensive line. He is an above average run blocker but sometimes struggles with pass blocking. Baylor had a very successful running game this past season led by Richardson and running back Lache Seastrunk. While Richardson had a successful season beginning to end. He really struggled in the senior bowl which will hurt his stock. His size is definitely a positive, and gives him much room for improvement in the passing game.
Grade: B-
6. Chris Watt (G), Notre Dame
I would say Watt is slightly above average in pass blocking due to somewhat sound fundamentals. Watt can hold his own in run blocking as well. The biggest knock on Watt is that he may have already reached his ceiling. With sound fundamentals, I don't see too much room for improvement. I do feel as if Watt will be a safe pick if a team is looking for depth at the guard position in the middle rounds.
Grade: B-
7. Travis Swanson (C), Arkansas
Swanson has above average strength which will help his draft stock. He is average in both pass blocking and run blocking. While nothing major stands out for him at the moment, he is a fairly solid center and has plenty of room for improvement. He may be drafted higher than in a normal draft due to the lack of overly talented centers in this draft.
Grade: C+
