Vic's picks: Top 5 offensive tackles in draft


By Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com


Vic's top 5: QBs | WRs | RBs | DEs
(March 6, 2005) -- One man's ranking of the top five offensive tackles in the NFL draft:


1. Alex Barron, Florida State

Positives: Ultra-large frame (6-foot-7, 320 pounds), athleticism, footwork, body control, quick-set ability, knee bend, long arms … His exceptional pass-protection skills and ability to line up in the prime left-tackle spot should make him the first offensive tackle off the board, probably in the middle of the first round.

Negatives: Upper-body strength, aggressiveness, overall technique, choice of run-blocking angles.

2. Jammal Brown, Oklahoma

Positives: Upper-body strength, balance, athleticism, body control, footwork, quick-set ability, long arms … He has enough talent, particularly in pass protection, to likely warrant a low first-round pick.

Negatives: Aggressiveness, run-blocking technique, injury history.

3. Khalif Barnes, Washington

Positives: Athleticism, speed, footwork, body control, balance, quick-set ability, choice of run-blocking angles, overall technique … A strong performance at the National Scouting Combine figures to have solidified his position as an early second-round choice and perhaps even a low first-rounder.

Negatives: Consistently high effort, lower-body strength, hand placement.

4. Marcus Johnson, Mississippi

Positives: Size (6-6½, 321 pounds), long arms, hand placement, body control, balance, toughness, choice of run-blocking angles, quick-set ability … Although he was a guard for most of his college career, his size makes him a likely tackle in the NFL and a probable early second-rounder.


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Negatives: Lower-body strength, overall athleticism, explosiveness.

5. Adam Terry, Syracuse

Positives: Size (6-8, 330 pounds), long arms, quick-set ability, techniques, athleticism, body control … His outstanding senior season should make him a solid second-round selection.

Negatives: Lower-body strength, ability to handle bull-rushers.