Draft Preview - the offensive line The first article previewing the Buccaneers' draft, I wrote was about the offensive line and was in part influenced by the frustrating performance against the New England Patriots in 2005. The starting line for that game was Anthony Davis, Dan Buenning, John Wade, Sean Mahan and Kenyatta Walker. Over the last few offseasons there has been a significant amount of investment both through free agency and the draft. That now leaves the Buccaneers with what appears to be a young, developing offensive line with Davin Joseph (1st Round) and Aaron Sears (2nd Round) firmly established as the starting guards, Jeff Faine (Free Agency) signing on the first day of the free agent period to plug a hole at centre and Jeremy Trueblood (2nd Round) seemingly having a hold on the right tackle spot. The main question would be, who is the future left tackle in Tampa, Petitgout may be the starter next year but for how long, given his age and recent injury. Offensive Tackle In 2000 it was rumoured that the Buccaneers had the chance to move up in the draft to select Chris Samuels, this would have cost the Buccaneers its two first round selections that famously went to the New York Jets in exchange for Keyshawn Johnson, the following year the Buccaneers traded a 2nd round pick to Buffalo in order to move up 7 spots in the first round to select Kenyatta Walker, years later we are still waiting to find a left tackle that can be relied upon. Not sure there is an obvious candidate available to the Buccaneers in this year’s draft. Jake Long (Michigan) is the obvious top ranked tackle in this draft, prior to the combine process the main criticism was his lack of athleticism, his performance in Indianapolis answered those questions. On the field he is a strong, tough tackle with a nasty attitude. His play in the run game is superior to his pass protection skills and in the long run I think he would be better suited to the right side. The saying goes that on every play that someone holds, if you draft Jake Long the odds on that statement been true is much greater, that said he is the premium offensive line prospect in this year’s draft and should be on the board no longer than the 3rd pick. Ryan Clady (Boise State) is a very athletic tackle with a ton of upside, his measurable’s make him a special prospect, with the main concern been a lack of upper body strength and this will need to be improved early in his pro career. He’s excellent is pass protection although overall his technique is very raw, having moved over from the defensive line he is still essentially learning the position. Clady could be a better left tackle prospect than Long, because given his skill set he is ideal for protecting the quarterback’s blind side. Possess all the tools that a left tackle needs, some refinement of his technique and a good strength and conditioning program and he could be an elite tackle. Jeff Otah (Pitt) is another left tackle that I think will find his home at right tackle. Otah is a big strong and powerful physical specimen, he has adequate mobility given his size. Just like Clady he could do to spend some time in the weight room, needs to improve his pass protection but once he gets locked onto a lineman he tends to dominate them until the whistle goes. Doesn’t have the footspeed to be elite on the left and his technique needs work. Gosder Cherilus continues Boston College’s tradition of producing NFL ready linemen. Again probably a right tackle at the pro-level mainly because he tends to struggle with speed rushers off the edge. Has great size and his frame gives the impression that he is going to be physically dominant. Once he locks on he does a great job of finishing his blocks, however I would like to see more aggressiveness from him. Has a long way to go before he can play left tackle, plug him in on the right side today. Chris Williams (Vanderbilt) has a lot of potential, has good size and his athletic ability is great for the position. At times I think he doesn’t have the right attitude to play tackle in the pro’s, he has been very inconsistent throughout his career, may at times struggle with edge rushers and needs to show more power in the run game. A prospect with room to grow but has a few question marks over him for a potentially high draft pick. Sam Baker (USC) is probably the last of the top tackle prospects and he is one that I hope we stay away from, he plays with short arms, doesn’t finish his blocks and doesn’t show enough power in his game. Has a good frame and athletic ability which may make him attractive to some on draft day. His technique in pass protection tends to break down and as a multiple year starter for one of the top college programs he has become over hyped. After these prospects I feel that there is drop off in talent however there are some interesting prospect to be found. Oniel Cousins (UTEP) is very talented, yet very raw and having not played against the best competition there are a number of questions about his play. Has a lot of the physical tools but questions remain over the mental aspect of his game. Can he grasp an NFL playbook because he at times struggled with his college playbook. His technique is lacking and needs some work but he has the raw materials that coaches look for. Anthony Collins (Kansas) is a junior who really could have done with the extra year in college. An athletic tackle that at times looks fantastic but most of the time lacks the physical presence for the position. If he plays up to his talent he could be excellent value in the mid-rounds however he never really did at Kansas. His footwork is good and his run blocking is ahead of his pass protection, is still learning the position to some extent and should continue to develop. Carl Nicks (Nebraska) is a typical cornhusker lineman, Huge and Nasty. He lacks experience and having moved over from the defensive line and also transferring schools he is basically getting by on his natural ability, which is sizable. If a good offensive line coach gets gold of him, he could develop in to an excellent tackle. Later round tackles that could be worth watching include Duane Brown (Virginia Tech)who is a big bodied former tight end who currently lacks strength, Kirk Barton (Ohio State) good size and excellent technique but he is slow and not very light on his feet, Chad Rinehart (Northern Iowa) who is very strong and powerful but his footwork is lacking and Pedro Sosa (Rutgers) is a good athlete who can play anywhere along a line lacks the required strength but shows potential. Offensive Guard With the presence of Joseph and Sears on the roster it is unlikely that the Buccaneers will look to take another guard early in the draft. Branden Albert (Virginia) is probably the most talented guard available in this years draft, has a big frame and amazing athleticism, needs to work on his technique some, especially in regards to his use of his hands. He could also play tackle and while he is quite raw and maybe should have stayed in school for another year he has the potential to be a dominant inside force. At guard there is quite a drop off in talent after Albert, Chilo Rachal (USC) could be a beast at guard in a power based offence, a typical road-grader type guard. Tends to rely too much on his raw power, has a lot of talent but hasn’t really played up to it as yet, has some upside. Roy Schuening (Oregon State) and Eric Young ( Tennessee) highlight the mid rounds of the draft at guard. Schuening is a guard prospect that at times dominates defensive linemen, he is at his best during the run game, really isn’t the greatest of athletes and offers little as a pulling guard because he doesn’t operate well when playing in space. Schuening is a real hard worker and team leader with 4 years starting experience. Eric Young (Tennessee) took over from Aaron Sears this year at left tackle for the volunteers and much like Sears will probably be a guard at the next level. He is a strong and versatile lineman, who struggles in space. During his time in Knoxville he has really underachieved, he has ideal physical characteristics and a good level of talent yet he has not lived up to the promise. In the later rounds I really like Rutgers' Jeremy Zuttah, he is such a versatile lineman and could potentially play anywhere on the line although I think he will be best suited to guard or centre. Zuttah could turn out to be a work out warrior, but he played well at the senior bowl, he is solid in both run and pass plays and at times shows flashes of his potential. Other later round guards may include Robert Felton (Arkansas) who is a big, slow and immobile guard who can run block with the best of them and Drew Radovich (USC) a good pass protector with excellent footwork, who is a solid all round linemen who isn’t the most athletic. Center There isn’t much to get excited about at the centre position and given the addition of Jeff Faine its unlikely that a pure centre will be drafted by the Buccaneers. Mike Pollak of Arizona State is probably the stand out of the group he is a hard worker and a great team leader, has looked good in both the senior bowl and the combine. Pollak has good size and agility that could make him a successful centre. His short arms and lack of strength could be an issue. He’s not an elite prospect but he looks the best of a marginal group. Steve Justice (Wake Forrest) is a centre with good footwork but lacks the strength and bulk to be a success at the pro level. His technique is solid, very smart footballer and has over achieved at every level. If he can add bulk to his frame he could have potential. John Sullivan (Notre Dame) is another one that stands out, he is very experienced. Sullivan is a big strong centre who plays with excellent power, doesn’t have great agility and doesn’t have a great initial burst. Was the leader of a young line at Notre Dame who has some upside if he can play to his strengths. Summary: The offensive line looks relatively deep with value available in the middle rounds. Most of the talent appears to be at tackle this year. OL pick I would like: With no great need a versatile lineman like Jeremy Zuttah is always a useful addition to a roster. OL pick I would hate: Sam Baker, he will go relatively high in the draft and I don’t think his production or talent can justify this. OL I like more than most: Carl Nicks, I see him having a lot of raw talent that in the right hands he could become a good lineman. Would probably include Zuttah here as well. OL I like less than most: Apart from Sam Baker I would say Chris Williams, has all the tools but not sure he will produce at the next level especially for an early draft pick.