There might not be a slam-dunk, top-10 surety in this group. There also is some question as to what the best pro position will be for some college left tackles in the pros. For instance, we grouped Iowa’s Brandon Scherff in with the interior group and LSU’s La’el Collins in with the tackle group, even though we could envision either player being effective at either spot at the next level.
Collins, Florida’s D.J. Humphries, Stanford’s Andrus Peat and Miami (Fla.)’s Ereck Flowers all look like first-round-caliber talents — and it’s possible to see even one more tackle prospect land in the top 32. Collins is a strong, athletic and durable tackle (or guard) and can fit into most blocking schemes. Humphries would be a great fit in a zone-based scheme and moves effortlessly but doesn’t have elite mass. Peat looks elite at times, less so at others, but could end up being the best of the bunch if he can harness his great size. Flowers plays with an edge and can pop but still needs some consistency in his raw game.
The second and third rounds also could be fertile ground for solid OT talent, with varying types — from the athletic Jake Fisher and Cedric Ogbuehi to the mass of Rob Havenstein — available to fit multiple systems.
After a certain point, however, the talent crop thins out considerably. There are few small-school prospects, and a slew of college tackles will be moved inside because of size, strength or athletic limitations.
Here are the top 10 offensive tackles for the 2015 NFL draft:
| Ranking | Player | School | Height | Weight | Notable statistic | Scouting skinny |
| 1 | La'el Collins | LSU | 6-4 | 305 | Logged 88 knockdown blocks in 13 starts | Powerful man with killer traits in run game at either guard or tackle |
| 2 | D.J. Humprhies | Florida | 6-5 | 307 | Missed eight games past two seasons with various injuries | Extremely gifted athlete with light feet, good leverage and a mean streak |
| 3 | Andrus Peat | Stanford | 6-7 | 313 | Started all 27 games past two seasons combined | Ideal tackle physique, athleticism and requisite strength but inconsistent |
| 4 | Ereck Flowers | Miami (Fla.) | 6-6 | 329 | Led all players at NFL scouting combine with 37 bench-press reps | Big, long, powerful young man with growth potential with refinement |
| 5 | Jake Fisher | Oregon | 6-6 | 306 | Best OL combine numbers: short shuttle, 3-cone, 10-yard split; second-best 40 | Super athletic, grabby, thin-framed pass protector with stamina |
| 6 | Cedric Ogbuehi | Texas A&M | 6-5 | 306 | Started games at 4 OL positions (everything but center) | Struggled at left tackle; knee injury limits draft value, but athletically gifted |
| 7 | T.J. Clemmings | Pitt | 6-5 | 309 | Played 14 games at DL in 2010, '12 before switching to ORT | Raw, powerful run blocker who is still learning nuances of position |
| 8 | Rob Havenstein | Wisconsin | 6-7 | 321 | Started all 41 games final 3 seasons; 11-time game captain as senior | Mauling, heavy-footed right tackle only who has a place in NFL as starter |
| 9 | Jeremiah Poutasi | Utah | 6-5 | 335 | Started all but one game in three-year career; declared early | Young, strong, slow-footed prospect who needs development but has upside |
| 10 | Ty Sambrailo | Colorado State | 6-6 | 311 | Has played all four OL positions except center | Strong-based, versatile, finesse blocker with upper-body deficiencies |
SLEEPER
Corey Robinson, South Carolina
A massive man at nearly 6-7, 325 pounds, Robinson has the look of a textbook mauler right tackle even though he played on the left side in college. If a team can work with him on his play speed and teach Robinson how to use his mass better in the run game, it could really have something. He’s a project, but he has traits that can’t be taught.
Clemmings
On the hoof, Clemmings has everything you want in an OT prospect, including 35-inch arms on his 6-5, 310-pound frame, good short-area quickness and even some nastiness on tape — especially in the run game. But the mental part of the game and unrefined technique always could be limiting factors, and it was clear at the Senior Bowl, where the Tennessee Titans coaches spent extra time running through technique with him during practices, that he’s a project and not instant coffee in the NFL. The converted defensive lineman was mentioned as a possible top-10 pick despite only having spent the past few seasons at his new position, and now he has settled back into the second-round discussion. Even in that range, Clemmings still might be overdrafted. He's a work in progress that some folks are not convinced will ever reach his full potential.
SMALL-SCHOOL WONDER
Jake Rodgers, Eastern Washington
The former Washington State transfer switched from tight end to tackle and possesses the athleticism you’d expect for such a move. His best chance would be to operate in a pass-heavy offense where his movement skills, off-the-snap quickness and footwork are his best traits. He’s not a mauler in the run game and must learn to get low and drive against stronger, squattier defenders. But Rodgers has overcome a lot, with his father having died just after Christmas, the result of a heart attack suffered while watching his son play his final college game.
COULD RISE IN DRAFT
Poutasi
At 20 years old, the raw but fascinating Poutasi could merit some very early looks. He has rare, natural strength and has shown power in his game at both left and right tackle. If a team is patient, it could groom his skills and have a real gem on its hands. Poutasi has left tackle potential — and also could be tried inside — and can be rounded into form with another year of conditioning, film work and watching before he unlocks his strong upside.
LATE-ROUND STEAL
Andrew Donnal, Iowa
Hawkeye players are typically well developed in the classroom, and Donnal is no exception. Although his 17 bench-press reps are a low number, he does have long arms that can explain that to a degree. The mentally tough Donnal has tackle and guard potential and yet might slip to the later rounds because of a lack of pure power in his lower body. Give him a year in an NFL strength program and he could be a nice swing tackle option.
PLAYER WHO WILL GO UNDRAFTED BUT SHOULDN’T
Rob Crisp, North Carolina State
Crisp’s performance against Clemson speed rusher Vic Beasley alone should get him drafted, but he’s knocked for his lack of brute strength and raw power. Still, finding long athletes — he’s 6-6 with 34-inch arms — either late in the draft or as priority free agents is rare, and Crisp could end up being a nice project if he’s willing to accept tough coaching.
IDEAL FIT
Collins to Browns
The Browns need sure things in this draft, and they could use a high-floor prospect such as Collins who can play either tackle or guard and be tried on either side of the line, too. The Browns hit a home run with the second-round pick of Joel Bitonio, and they’re still in good shape for at least another year with Joe Thomas and Alex Mack up front. But they’ll need more young blood, and Collins could be a fixture outside or inside and would be a run-game masher.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm
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