Offensive Linemen Winners and Losers at NFL Combine

Over 50 offensive linemen took part in the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine and as always there were some winners and losers.  Some of them lived up to their hype and some will need to show they can do better at their pro day.

In my 13 years of coaching high school football I have learned that my best offensive linemen are the ones that can move, have some quickness.  It doesn't matter how big and strong an offensive linemen is if they can't get to the guy they are supposed to block then that size and strength is no good.

The combine is a great way to see how strong an offensive lineman is and how quick and fast he is.  We all know there have been workout warriors in the past, so you can't base everything on a player's combine and pro workouts.  We have to remember they play football in pads on a football field.  But it definitely shows the player's athleticism.

In my years of coaching all of my better offensive linemen were athletic.  Now I have had some players that looked and worked out like Tarzan, but played like Jane.  Those are the types of players you have to be careful of.

 Offensive Linemen Combine Winners

1. OT, Laurence Gibson, Virginia Tech
   1. Prototype size and speed at 6.6 305, 5.04 40
   2. First in the broad jump and the vertical jump, which shows explosion
   3. Before the combine he was considered an undrafted free agent, but I would draft him now for sure.
2. OT, Jake Fisher, Oregon
   1. Prototype size and speed at 6.6 306, 5.01 40
   2. Finished 2nd in the 40 yard dash and the bench press
      1. He has great mix of strength and speed
   3. Finished 1st in the 3 cone drill and the 20 yard shuttle
   4. Before the combine he was considered a top 10 offensive tackle prospect
      1. He has solidified that spot and maybe moved into top 5 of offensive tackles.
3. C/OT, Cameron Erving, Florida State
   1. Prototype size and speed to play tackle or center at 6.5 313, 5.15 40
   2. Finished in top 5 in bench press, broad jump, and 3 cone drill
      1. Showed he has good strength and explosion and quickness
   3. Before combine he was considered the best center and he definitely solidified that position and can also play tackle in the NFL
4. OT, T. J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
   1. Prototype size and speed at 6.5 309, 5.14 40
   2. Finished in the top 10 in every category, except for bench press, showing what a great athlete he is
   3. Before combine he was ranked in the top 5 of offensive tackles and definitely solidified that spot
   4. Struggled at the Senior Bowl in pass blocking, but showed at combine that he has the speed and quickness to be able to do it,  he just needs a lot of practice.
      1. Pittsburgh was a very run heavy offense, not much pass setting for him
5. OG, Ali Marpet, Hobart and William Smith
   1. Prototype size and speed at 6.4 307, 4.98 40
   2. Finished 1st in the 40, 2nd in the 3 cone drill and the 20 yard shuttle
   3. Made a name for himself at the Senior Bowl
   4. Definitely improved his stock

Offensive Linemen Combine Losers

1. OG, Josue Matias, Florida State
   1. Prototype size at 6.5 309, but too slow at 5.52 in the 40 yard dash
   2. Ranked 52 out of 52 offensive linemen
   3. Before the combine he was projected to be drafted in the 3rd or 4th rounds and was rated in the top 10 of guards, usually around number 7
   4. Did not show good speed or strength
2. OG, Brett Boyko, UNLV
   1. Prototype size, but too slow with a 5.6 40 yard dash
   2. Ranked 50 out of 52 offensive linemen
   3. Before the combine, Boyko was projected to be an undrafted rookie free agent
      1. Did not improve those expectations
3. OT, Rob Havenstein, Wisconsin
   1. Prototype size at 6.7 321, but too slow with a 5.46 40 time
   2. Performed the worst out of all the offensive tackles
   3. Before the combine he was projected to as the 12th best offensive tackle and projected to be drafted in the 3rd or 4th round
4. OG, Tre Jackson, Florida State
   1. Measured at 6.4 330 pounds and ran a 5.52 40 yard dash
      1. He is 20 pounds over weight and ran a very slow 40 time
   2. Before the combine he was ranked as the 3rd best offensive guard
      1. He must have a very good pro day now to not drop in the draft
   3. Projected to be drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round before the combine
5. OG, Laken Tomlinson, Duke
   1. Pretty good size and speed at 6.3 323, 5.33 40 yard dash
      1. He needs to lose 10 to 15 pounds and really work hard in the weight room to get stronger
   2. Before the combine he was ranked as the 2nd best offensive guard
      1. Projected to be drafted in the 2nd round
   3. He had a really good Senior Bowl and showed he can anchor down versus Danny Shelton, but he needs to get better athletically

What do you think?

Check out my article on the Tight Ends Winners and Losers at the NFL Combine