hagan714

Adjusting to the speed of the game, complicated blocking schemes and the pressure of playing an "A" game week in and week out over a 16-game schedule makes the tackle spot one of the hardest to judge.
The mental aspect of the game and the player's learning curve is as important at this position as anywhere on the field. A missed block can lead to a turnover, or worse, a major injury to a starting quarterback or running back.
This year's crop features three possible first-round prospects. Expect to see a second run at the position mid-to-late third round.


1. Joe Thomas - 6065, 311, 4.92, Wisconsin (1)

Many expected this All-American to declare early for the draft last year.
A strong blocker at the point of attack, Thomas is an athletic and agile blocker who possesses excellent feet but he does not have really long arms for his size long arms (32½ inches). He is able to create a violent punch off the snap. His track-and-field background help him lock on and sustain his blocks. He rarely loses a battle once he locks on the defender. Has good lower body strength to hold up against bull rushers. As a run blocker he can move the pile and has good blocking range (can pull and trap and get to secondary blocks). Joe seems to be always under control in space, rarely makes a false step and takes good angles to blocks. As a good pass blocker he sets up quickly. His footwork and athleticism allow him to adjust and handle pass rushers off the edge. Joe slides and mirrors extremely well and can cut off the outside to speedy edge rushers.

Lacks a real fire and looks passive at times. Has the frame to carry an additional 12-15 lbs. Needs to finish better. suffered a right knee injury ( ALC tear) in the Badgers' 2006 bowl game. Fully recovered .. but still a concern.
Best Offensive Tackle in Draft

2. Levi Brown - 6054, 323, 5.39, Penn St.

A well-respected and decorated Big Ten lineman, Brown is seen by many as a first-round talent. When on his game, he is a force as a drive blocker and can handle outside pass rushers. He is strong at point of attack and has a hand punch that packs a wallop. Plays with a wide base and good balance and gets great leverage. Brown has good feet to get out and block downfield. A high effort run blocker who will stay after defenders until the whistle blows. In pass protection Levi gets into good position, who can wall of defenders and seals very well. Very patient.

Detractors see a bit of an underachiever and sometimes gets high in his stance and suffers lapses in concentration. He can ride defender wide of the Quarterback, but struggles some with countermoves because he lacks the feet and blocking range of a left tackle at the next level. Not at his best in space. He can overextend and get sloppy with his technique when he starts to wear down. He missed a pair of games after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee, the same knee that he sprained two years earlier, and was out of shape for several more weeks after his return. Needs to watch his weight (324 pounds) and conditioning. Inconsistent.

Levi's has solid all-around skills and would be a good fit in a power running system that employs a lot of zone blocking schemes. He might be over-rated a little by those in desperate need of a Weakside Tackle.
He is a good NFL Strongside Tackle prospect. Inconsistent.

3. Joe Staley - 6055, 306, 4.80, Central Michigan

The most athletically gifted blocker available, extremely quick and agile. Came to school as a tight end and bulked up and moved to tackle. He has the ability to get good depth off the snap to combat edge rushers. Possessing good lateral movement with long arms and quick nimble feet to keeps defender in front of him, sealing well. . He also shows the balance and footwork to stay in front of most bull rushers. Doesn’t waste a lot of motion and plays with solid leverage. Takes good angles and can get to secondary blocks. Blocks well on the move. Competitive. Plays with passion.

Staley is still learning to play as a full-sized lineman and needs to improve overall playing strength (upper-body) because he seems to struggles at times with two-gap defenders.

He has the makeup and skill level to develop into an above-average talent at left tackle, who would fit very well in a zone blocking scheme. Great potential!

Pro Day: 4.8 in the 40-yard dash, a 32-inch vertical jump, and a 9-foot-9 broad jump. Amazing number for someone weighing in at 6-foot-5 and 305-pounds. One scout said it was the "best all-around workouts I've seen by a big tackle in recent years" and added "that kid (Staley) does not last past the Top-20 picks".

4. Doug Free - 6062, 324, 5.19, Northern Illinois

An exceptional athletic and hard working pass blocker. Possesses long arms and very quick and nimble feet. Movement is fluid. Very solid run blocker who can open holes in the run game, get to second level quickly and hit a moving target. Gives good effort to sustain and finish-off every block. A tough guy who will play hurt.

Needs to get stronger in order to handle two gap defenders at next level. Gets beat inside and by counter moves. He can lose his balance when blocking on the second level.

He went from over-rated to under-rated… all in one season.
Played entire season with a stress fracture in his foot.

5. Tony Ugoh - 6052, 301, 5.06, Arkansas

Ugoh has all the physical tools to be a starting LT in the NFL as well as the ability to move inside to Guard. Tony is a rock solid 300 pounds with great height and an amazing wingspan. His long arms (36"), combined with good quick feet, allow him to get ahold of even the speediest edge rushers. Ugoh often puts the defender on the ground before the whistle blows (he had 67 knockdown blocks in 2006). As a run blocker he is an agile and athletic drive blocker that can get to second level and hit moving targets. He has very solid footwork and lateral mobility and sets up in pass protection quickly. Ugoh takes good angles to blocks, gets good position and will fight to maintain position and contact. Possesses good upper body strength and can control defender once he locks on.

Has a lot of natural talent and gives a good effort, but he might have to crank up the intensity at the next level. His footwork has improved, but he will get too shallow off the snap at times when facing quicker edge rushers. Will occasionally expose his chest to defender and is slow to adjust to countermoves, he can be beat by speed. He needs to increase his lower body strength. Thinks he’s stronger than he really is.

He is a big reason the Razorbacks had two 1000-yard rushers this fall. Ugoh is a hard-worker who coaches will love. Has frame for additional 10-15 lbs. Ugoh could be a bit of a risky pick, in the late first and early second but he has a good upside to him. Left Tackle prospects don’t grow on trees and the ability to move inside to guard is a big plus.