The most important position on every pro offense except for the quarterback position has become the offensive tackle spot. There is a high demand by NFL clubs for offensive tackles especially on the left side to battle the top athletes who man the outside speed rush positions.

These players must have the power to handle 300-pound plus defenders and move them off the line as drive blockers. They must also have the quickness and agility to fight off the outside speed rushers combining athleticism, balance and strength.

This year there is another nice crop of tackles available for April's Draft. The NFL's Blesto fall scouting combine lists 35 senior offensive tackles over 300 pounds, with another dozen junior underclassmen meeting that size criteria.

The NFL Draft last spring produced five first round offensive tackles with another three chosen in the second round. This spring could see those numbers duplicated again.

Entering the important post-season games, at least three prospects carry a sure-fire first round selection with as many as ten as strong candidates for the top 100 selections in the spring player selection process.

More Draft coverage

Alabama's Chris Samuels is the top tackle prospect. (Allsport)

1. Chris Samuels, Alabama
Senior, 6-6, 290
Nimble left tackle combines all the tools to become a top NFL lineman. He has the ability to slide in pass protection and the quickness and explosiveness to open holes for runners as a drive blocker.

2. Chris McIntosh, Wisconsin
Senior, 6-6, 310
Powerful left tackle has been instrumental in the success of tailback Ron Dayne. A very strong drive blocker who plays with great leverage and finishes his blocks well.

3. Marvel Smith, Arizona State
Junior, 6-5, 310
Strong junior lineman has seen extensive playing time on the left side since his freshman season in the Pac 10. He has all the tools to be a top pro lineman in all aspects of play.

4. Stockar McDougle, Oklahoma
Senior, 6-5, 350
Massive right tackle has been a devastating drive blocker, combining size, strength and agility to simply engulf defenders on a consistent basis.

Michigan's Jeff Backus still needs to work on his pass blocking. (Allsport)

5. Jeff Backus, Michigan
Junior, 6-5, 290
Rugged tackle has graded out consistently high over his short career, combining top run blocking ability with improving pass protection skills.

6. Chad Clifton, Tennessee
Senior, 6-5, 310
Strong left tackle has been instrumental in the Vols' potent attack the past two seasons. He gets a powerful surge as a drive blocker and has the footwork to fight off speed rushers.

7. Darnell Alford, Boston College
Senior, 6-4, 340
Wide body tackle has been one of the strongest drive blocker in the nation. He has developed into a sound pass protector who gets full use of his skills.

8. Jeno James, Auburn
Senior, 6-4, 310
Agile left tackle has performed well this season against some of the top pass rushers in the nation in the talented SEC.

9. Todd Wade, Mississippi
Senior, 6-7, 320
Huge right tackle has made major strides over the past three seasons, showing the ability to come off the ball with a strong surge and also mirror defenders in pass protection.

10. Kaulana Noa, Hawaii
Senior, 6-5, 310
Physical lineman has developed nicely over career, showing balance, strength and durability in a pro-style offense.

Coyle, a full-time NFL scout, has published Draft Insiders' Digest, an NFL Draft and free agency publication for the last 9 years.

He attends practices, games and individual workouts across the country as well as breaking down game films to study the nation's top players. He writes for numerous pro weeklies on the NFL Draft and free agency in addition to game matchups and player profiles.

Coyle attends NFL mini-camps in May and June and numerous training camps throughout the summer. He is a frequent guest on sports talk shows from coast-to-coast, and has also been a personnel consultant to several NFL teams in recent years.