Scouting the pro prospects: Offensive linemen

Teams seeking offensive line help in the first round should have more options in 2007 than they had in April's draft.

The 2006 draft produced the fewest first-round offensive linemen since 1990, and of the three selected in the first round, only D'Brickashaw Ferguson (Jets, No. 4 overall) was a tackle.

The 2007 crop of tackles appears talented and deep. Solid interior linemen should also be available.

Joe Thomas should be ready to go in September after recovering from a torn ACL. (Provided to SportsLine)

An in-depth analysis of the country's top 10 offensive linemen, as well as several others to keep a close watch on:

1. Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
6-8, 302 pounds, Sr.

Graded as a first-round prospect last year as a junior, Thomas was robbed of the option of going pro early after suffering a knee injury while filling in as a defensive lineman in the final game of the season.

Thomas held up well against a talented Auburn pass rush, but tore his ACL when injuries forced him to play defense in Wisconsin's upset victory in the Capitol One Bowl. His subsequent surgery went well and, though Thomas was held out of spring practices, he is expected to be 100 percent this fall.

When healthy, Thomas has shown a rare combination of athleticism, strength and size. A veteran of 35 games and 26 starts, Thomas has the footwork to remain at left tackle in the NFL, but also shows good strength and technique as a run blocker. Thomas' explosive power translates well to track and field: He holds the Wisconsin indoor record in shot put with a 2005 throw of 62-0¼ feet.

If Thomas can prove he's over the knee injury, he could be a top-five selection come April.

2. Sam Baker, OT, USC, 6-5, 308, Jr.

Were it not for a shoulder injury and questions about his character, USC right tackle Winston Justice would have been a first-round selection this past April. Justice, athletic enough that his new team, the Philadelphia Eagles, is transitioning him to left tackle, never played the all-important left tackle position for the Trojans. Why? Baker already had the position nailed down. In fact, since redshirting in 2003, Baker has started all 26 games at left tackle.

Voted an All-American this past season and a Freshman All-American in 2004, Baker has already caught the interest of NFL scouts. He has the size and athleticism teams prefer as a prototype left tackle. With the Trojans losing so many offensive stars to the NFL, including three fellow offensive linemen, the onus will be on Baker to solidify a young unit.

3. Justin Blalock, OL, Texas, 6-4, 330, Sr.

Justin Blalock (Getty Images)

Blalock is a massive earth-mover who looks to follow in the footsteps of former Longhorns Leonard Davis and Mike Williams as top-five selections. Blalock earned first-team All-Big 12 honors the past two years and was a third-team All-American in '05.

Like Davis and Williams, Blalock has seen extensive time at tackle (38 consecutive starts at right tackle), but might project best at guard. In fact, the Longhorns are contemplating moving Blalock inside this season.

He is athletic enough at 330 pounds to consider keeping him at right tackle. He plays with surprising quickness for such a large man and knows how to use his mass and strength to his advantage. He can physically dominate his opponent, but also shows the technique required to play against opponents just as athletically blessed as he.

He sometimes took a back seat to former UT offensive tackle Jonathan Scott in terms of media exposure over the past two seasons, but not with NFL scouts who consider Blalock to be a potentially more impressive talent.

4. Levi Brown, OT, Penn State, 6-5, 325, Sr.

PSU's Levi Brown (Getty Images)

A former defensive tackle, Brown has emerged as one of the nation's elite offensive line prospects. He flirted with the idea of leaving for the NFL after being voted a second-team All-American last season.

Brown has the size, strength and consistency that has earned comparisons to former Nittany Lion Kareem McKenzie. A veteran of 34 starts, Brown has made considerable improvement throughout his career and could be on the verge of a dominating senior season.

Brown has good athleticism for a man his size, but might be best suited at right tackle at the next level. His greatest assets are his size, strength and aggressiveness. His leadership has also impressed pro scouts. Brown was recognized by teammates as a 2006 team captain and he was asked to coach up his young linemates more than actually practice during spring drills. Brown is the only returning starter along the line for Penn State.

5. Jake Long, OT, Michigan, 6-7, 330, Sr.

UM's Jake Long (Getty Images)

Long has flashed first-round ability, but his struggles with injuries are a concern. Lauded as one of the top prep talents in the country when he signed with Michigan, Long looked like a future star early. He started the final 10 games of his redshirt freshman season (2004), earning second-team Big Ten honors. Last year was a struggle, however, as Long missed extensive time with ankle and foot injuries, and was a shadow of himself when on the field.

With veteran left tackle Adam Stenavich moving on, Long will be making the full-time transition from the right side to the all-important left tackle spot in 2006. He only has 14 starts to this point (10 at right tackle, four on the left side). He reported to spring in the best shape of his life and insiders close to the UM program tell us he has developed into one of the team's best leaders.

Long is expected to enjoy a terrific bounce-back 2006, making him one of the top offensive line talents in the country. Some feel that it was his absence last season that was the biggest catalyst behind the Wolverines' struggles.

6. Doug Free, OT, Northern Illinois, 6-6, 305, Sr.

Free is an athletically gifted left tackle whose combination of size, footwork and experience has NFL scouts intrigued. He has the quickness to keep up with pass rushers, but it is his speed and change of direction in run blocking that makes him stand out. Nicknamed by his teammates as "Doug Freak" due to his speed, Free has been favorably compared to former Husky Ryan Diem, now the starting right tackle for the Indianapolis Colts.

While Free is certainly athletic enough for the NFL, there are concerns he lacks enough bulk and strength to hold up at the next level. Some scouts feel his best position in the NFL might be at tight end. Free lacks upper-body strength at the point of attack and can be walked back to the quarterback a bit. Though he might need some time in the weight room to fill out, his combination of size and athleticism can't be taught.

7. Ryan Harris, OT, Notre Dame, 6-5, 295, Sr.

Harris is another athletically gifted tackle who has steadily improved throughout his career. He emerged as a potential standout almost immediately, becoming only the third true freshman in Notre Dame history to start on the offensive line -- and Harris did it each of the final eight games at right tackle in 2003.

He moved to left tackle as a sophomore and was recognized as the Irish's offensive lineman of the year. He started the past 24 consecutive games at left tackle, protecting quarterback Brady Quinn's blind side.

Harris has good size and impressive natural athleticism. He has the footwork to remain at this position at the next level, but needs to continue to work on his strength and aggression. Some feel he is gifted enough to become an elite prospect, but there is a perception among some scouts that he isn't yet a finished product -- despite 32 career starts.

8. Mike Otto, OT, Purdue, 6-5, 302, Sr.

Consistent, underrated tackle who reminds many of former Boilermaker Matt Light. Like Light, selected with the 48th overall pick by New England in the 2001 draft, Otto is a gifted pass blocker. Despite problems throughout the rest of the Purdue offensive line over the past few seasons, Otto has established himself as one of the top blockers in the Big Ten conference and has earned all-conference accolades each of the past three seasons.

Otto has good quickness and uses his hands exceedingly well to ward off pass rushers. He plays with intensity and has started all 36 games of his career. Like Light, Otto could add mass and upper-body strength to round out his all-around blocking skills.

9. Dan Mozes, C, West Virginia, 6-4, 298, Sr.

Recognized for his prototype size, natural footwork and intelligence, Mozes could end up as the highest-rated interior lineman in the 2007 draft. He signed on with West Virginia as a guard and emerged as a first-team All-Big East performer by his sophomore season. He made the switch to center as a junior and was recognized as a second-team All-American and finalist for the Rimington Trophy -- awarded to the nation's top center -- in his first year at the position.

Mozes has been hampered by nagging injuries over the past couple of seasons, including sprains of the shoulder, hip and knee, but he has shown the pain tolerance to start each game the past three seasons (37 games total). Not a physically dominant prospect, Mozes plays with terrific technique and scouts love his passion and tenacity.

10. Arron Sears, OT, Tennessee, 6-4, 338, Sr.

The versatile Sears saw action at each offensive line position except center –- in one game, against LSU in 2005.

For his career, Sears has 13 starts at left tackle, six at right tackle, four at right guard and one at left guard. He has been asked at times to change position mid-game in an effort to slow down the opponent's most dominant defensive lineman.

Despite moving around so much, Sears was recognized by the media and coaches as an All-SEC performer in 2005. He considered leaving for the NFL after last season, but elected to return after he reportedly received a third- to fourth-round grade from the NFL Advisory Committee.

Sears has great size and reportedly entered spring practices at a relatively svelte 320 pounds, and is expected to spend most of his senior season at left tackle. However, with only two established starters on the offensive line, Sears could once again be moved around in 2006. Sears is quite athletic for his size and might shoot up the board if allowed to play one position and iron out the wrinkles of his game.

Others to watch

Kyle Young, Fresno State, 6-5, 328, C, Sr.: Young combines great size for the position with strength, athleticism, intelligence and durability. He has started all 39 games of his career and is responsible for all of the line calls. He has the size and athleticism that has caused some scouts to look at him as a potential guard or perhaps even right tackle.

Head coach Pat Hill, formerly a tight ends and offensive line coach under Patriots coach Bill Belichick, feels Young could be the best offensive lineman he has coached while at Fresno State. Belichick drafted Fresno State offensive tackle Logan Mankins with the 32nd pick of the 2005 first round. Mankins moved to left guard and started all 18 games, including postseason, for the Patriots as a rookie last season.

Mike Jones, Iowa, 6-5, 305, OL, Sr.: He was a rare contributor along the Iowa offensive line as a true freshman, and enters his senior season with 30 career starts. Of the 30 starts, 24 came at left guard, though he has experience at both tackle positions (four starts on the right tackle, two left). He is expected to remain at left guard, though coaches view him as the most versatile of the Iowa offensive linemen, thus another season of movement could be on the horizon. Jones hasn't established himself as a standout, but has the size, versatility and experience scouts are looking for.

Barry Richardson, Clemson, 6-7, 342, OT, Jr.: This monstrous left tackle with surprising agility started as a freshman and earned Freshman All-American honors. He became a more consistent player as a sophomore, but still has some ironing out to improve his game. He struggled a bit early as a sophomore but seemed to step up his play as the season wore on, grading out at 84 percent or higher in his final three starts -- including a dominating performance against No. 1 overall draft pick Mario Williams that earned Richardson ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors. Only a junior, He is simply bigger than most of his opponents and can engulf defenders at the line of scrimmage.

Samson Satele, Hawaii, 6-3, 312, OG, Sr.: Scouts are intrigued with this strong, athletic interior lineman's success and versatility. Satele earned second-team WAC honors as a redshirt freshman left tackle and has earned similar conference honors since moving to guard. Like offensive linemen from June Jones' systems of the past, however, Satele will have to prove to the NFL his ability to hold up in more traditional offensive attacks. That said, he allowed only two sacks last season in more than 600 passing attempts. That is impressive.

Kasey Studdard, Texas, 6-3, 305, OG, Sr.: This consistent, blue-collar guard has the experience and toughness to get the job done at the next level. Studdard enters his third year as the Longhorns' starting left guard. A veteran of 25 consecutive starts, he has earned conference accolades after each of the past two seasons. He lacks great size potential for the position, but is a better athlete than most give him credit for. Father and uncle both played for the Longhorns and in NFL.

Brian Daniels, Colorado, 6-4, 305, OG, Sr.: Daniels has started 33 career games, including a streak of 22 consecutive at left guard that was disrupted this past season by a broken rib and bruised kidney suffered in the season opener against Colorado State. He has earned conference honors each of his three starting seasons.

Manuel Ramirez, Texas Tech, 6-4, 338, OG, Sr.: This massive guard's experience in a pass-happy offense belies his physicality, aggression and pure strength -- he owns the school record with a 550-pound bench press. An effective pass blocker in this scheme, he is at his best blocking for the run. Entering his third season as the starter, Ramirez has developed into one of the most effective interior linemen in the country. He'll be strictly a guard or right tackle prospect at the next level.

Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.