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Rating the offensive linemen

April 8, 2000
By Len Pasquarelli
SportsLine.com Senior Writer

Here's a look at how SportsLine.com senior writer Len Pasquarelli rates the offensive line prospects for the April 15-16 NFL Draft:

1. OT Chris Samuels, Alabama, 6-5 1/8, 319 (4.98 time in the 40-yard dash): Not as good as Tony Boselli was coming out of college, but still one of the premier left tackle prospects of the past decade. Outstanding pass protector who permitted only one sack the past two seasons and none in over 900 snaps in 1999. Simply does not get beat in pass protection. Plays with quickness and great balance and can handle the outside speed rush and the inside counter moves. Very agile and nimble-footed, and has superior recovery skills and ability to redirect. Always under control. Lacked some functional strength a year ago but added nearly 30 pounds of muscle and it didn't slow him down at all. The extra weight allowed him to become a more dominant drive blocker in running game. The backs who ran behind him usually got 4 yards beyond line of scrimmage before being touched. Will get downfield and take on the linebacker at the second level. Comes off the ball with power, snap and suddenness. Adjusts well in space and can maul people when he has to. Will get into stretches where he plays a bit too high, but usually demonstrates solid leverage and technique. Had minor knee surgery after 1999 season and has rehabilitated well. Low score on Wonderlic test but seems more than capable of assimilating the playbook. Won the Outland Trophy as nation's best lineman and Jacobs Award as SEC's best blocker.

 
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 T O P   N E W S
 

2. OT Stockar McDougle, Oklahoma, 6-5 1/4, 354 (5.48): Massive and girthy blocker who can envelop defenders with his size alone. Weight got out of control for a while and reported to the combine at 361 pounds. Would probably be more effective in the 330- to 340-pound range, but he is just genetically huge. Projects to right tackle for most teams but some clubs want him to move inside to guard for a year or two. Natural strength and explosiveness and plays a lot quicker than his slow 40 time. Comes off the ball, rolls his hips, hits on the rise and punishes defenders. Not like some blockers his size, who just lean into defensive linemen, he comes off with pop and will knock people back. Surprising flexibility for a 350-pounder. Definitely possesses a mean streak and is a nasty finisher. Powerful punchout move and can stun people with initial contact. Only adequate when forced to play in space. Can pull on the trap but doesn't slide his feet well in pass protection and will surrender the outside flank too easily. Had a ton of penalties in 1998 and will need a lot of "repetitions" early in his career.

3. OG/OT Chris McIntosh, Wisconsin, 6-6 3/8, 315 (5.37): Four-year starter at left tackle for the Badgers, but some question as to whether his rather average pass-blocking skills and a lack of quickness allow him to play that position at next level. Long arms but doesn't always lock out once he makes initial contact. Only adequate change of direction; will overextend and then not be able to recover against the upfield speed rushers. Cut a bit high and doesn't always play with balance. Despite all the pass-block shortcomings, still a quality prospect who likes to compete and has lots of football savvy. His frame leaves him room to mature physically and he probably could add 10-15 pounds and not have it affect his performance. Even at current weight, delivers a pretty nice jolt. Needs to work more on sustaining blocks instead of just making contact and then leaning into defenders. Good lower body strength. A couple teams feel he projects better to guard. Good motor and work ethic, will do whatever it takes to succeed in the NFL.

NFL teams hope Hawaii's Adrian Klemm can handle linemen like he can kicker Eric Hannum. 
NFL teams hope Hawaii's Adrian Klemm can handle linemen like he can kicker Eric Hannum.(Allsport) 

4. OT Adrian Klemm, Hawaii, 6-3 7/8, 307, (5.05): Moved from tackle to tight end in '98 and dropped weight as low as 240 pounds that season. By midseason, forced back to tackle and had to bulk up again. Very raw but a terrific athlete with exceptional feet, lateral movement skills and a long frame that can handle another 10-15 pounds. Despite lack of experience, has innate feel for getting his hands inside on an opponent and then extending his long arms to create the separation every left tackle wants in pass protection. Only problem is he gives ground too easily. Made solid strides last year under new staff and with better understanding of position. Rainbows coach June Jones has compared him to current Atlanta Falcons tackle Bob Whitfield in terms of overall athleticism and potential. Clearly has his best football ahead of him. Even without truly polished technique, able to drive people off line of scrimmage and will finish his blocks. Does a little too much hand-fighting, but a good anchor and will get better as he matures and adds strength in the future. Nasty temperament, won't take crap from anyone. Runs really well.

5. OT Todd Wade, Mississippi, 6-7 7/8, 326 (5.24): Because of size and lack of foot speed, likely locked into playing right tackle in the NFL. Not fat, just big all over, can be imposing just getting up out of a chair. Unfortunately, football isn't played in chairs. Tremendous wingspan and has good but not great feet. No better than adequate in a lot of areas during the past two years but scouts seem to be upgrading him in recent weeks. Can fan out but still struggles to adjust when he overextends and doesn't recover against the inside counter moves. Plays too much off-balance. Stiff and straight, not a natural knee-bender and that robs him of leverage. Does not explode off the line and, watching him on tape, you get the sense he's generally a half-step behind things. Is durable and willing to work to make himself better.

6. OG Travis Claridge, Southern California, 6-5 1/8, 303 (5.16): Four-year starter who made big strides in '99 and who some scouts feel can move outside and play right tackle if needed there. Is still a better athlete in the workout room than on the football field, but scouts from several teams are very high on him. Kind of a love-him/hate-him prospect on whom people are split. Tough and has a blue-collar work ethic. Plays with great intensity and aggressiveness. Tenacious when he is blocking in-line, will sustain until the back clears him and then make an effort at the second level. Durable and will play hurt rather than take snaps off. Above average techniques but can't make the reach block outside. Can definitely play either guard spot. Despite doing 29 repetitions in the bench press at combine, could use more functional strength and upper-body mass.

7. OG Cosey Coleman, Tennessee, 6-4 1/8, 322 (5.38): Plays faster than his stopwatch time and is stronger than his bench press tests indicate. Body looks a little soft and he will have to work on defining his physique. Still very young so should get stronger as he matures. Very quick feet, can pull and really get out in front of the sweep. At his best in space but still a bit inconsistent when it comes to hitting on the move. Makes solid adjustments and changes direction well. Really raw and needs to work on technique, especially on sealing off the inside pass rush. Has to use his arms and hands better than he does. When he gets it cranked up, he can flat-out mash inside defenders, but he won't be able to so easily overpower NFL linemen. Good character, has overcome a lot of socioeconomic problems thanks to strong mother and siblings. Soft-spoken and almost shy. Says he is willing to pay the price but the proof will come in training camp.

8. OT Marvel Smith, Arizona State, 6-4 7/8, 320 (5.32): Didn't seem to play as well in 1999 as he did the previous campaign, but underclass blocker has turned on scouts with postseason workouts and pure athleticism. His potential alone might sneak him into first round but more likely will go into the second stanza. Prototype size for left tackle, the kind of long arms you want, but is still filling out and might get even bigger. Plays a finesse game and lacks upper body strength. Tends to not bend his knees and gets too high. Very inconsistent in his pass protection setup, likes to ride rushers up the field, but will get too wide and allow ends to work back underneath him to the quarterback. Runs well, can pull out on the trap. Worth a high pick on potential alone.

9. C John St. Clair, Virginia, 6-5 1/8, 302 (5.32): Onetime tight end and defensive tackle who has played center only since 1997. Still getting accustomed to nuances of hub position, but a very fast learner. Very smart, made all the line adjustment calls for the Cavaliers. Plays with leverage and the ability to uncoil into defensive linemen. Has innate feel for blocking angles, where to slide to help out in pass protection. Very effective at walling off and sealing defenders. Flexible and can make adjustments on the move. Most effective in a closed area, has trouble disengaging and then getting to the linebackers. Not built like a center, cut very high and has long wingspan. Permits the stronger defensive tackles to get into him too easily and will occasionally be driven back. Will get called for holding a little too often.

10. OG Chad Clifton, Tennessee, 6-5 1/4, 334 (5.08): Played both tackle spots for Vols but better suited for guard in the NFL. An enigmatic player who appears too stiff on tape but then goes out and blows people away in all the physical tests. A true workout warrior who is a better athlete than he is a football player. Will run under 5.0 in the 40 under good conditions but straight-line speed doesn't translate into maneuverability on field. Still, there are some teams that like him more than Vols teammate and guard Cosey Coleman. Looks like he's all pumped up, especially in the upper body. Strong through the arms and shoulders. Too often late coming off the ball and is not particularly explosive. Doesn't dominate in the running game.

11. OT Michael Thompson, Tennessee State, 6-4 1/2, 305 (5.25): Started at defensive end in '95 and tight end in '96 and also played college basketball for a short time. As raw as steak tartar but opened lots of eyes at the Senior Bowl, where he could hang with the big boys, and then again at the combine. Tremendous pure athleticism and flexibility. Can really move his feet and has the mentality of a left tackle. Lacks functional football strength and needs about 20 more pounds. Lost some weight toward end of '99 season because of a religious fast, but regained it in time for the Senior Bowl. Won't knock anyone off the line of scrimmage. Intriguing pick, probably in the second round, but needs at least two seasons of developmental-type work.

12. C Brad Meester, Northern Iowa, 6-3 3/8, 298 (5.14): Made himself a prospect by getting into the weight room last offseason and earned himself some money with standout performance at the combine. Good athlete and very smart, understands the demands of the position. Might struggle to keep on weight. Better at shielding defenders than blowing them away. Runs well and has a great work ethic. Trying to teach himself to deep-snap to improve his stock.

Others: OT Darnell Alford (Boston College), OG Kaulana Noa (Hawaii), OG Brad Bedell (Colorado), OT Joey Chustz (Louisiana Tech), OG Richard Mercier (Miami, Fla.), C Matt O'Neal (Oklahoma), OT Damion McIntosh (Kansas State), OT Jonathan Gray (Texas Tech), OG Mark Tauscher (Wisconsin), OG Manula Savea (Arizona), OT Terrance Beadles (Arkansas-Pine Bluff), OG Tutan Reyes (Mississippi), OT Mark Baniewicz (Syracuse), OG Steve Herndon (Georgia), OG Jeno James (Auburn).

Rising: Guard Leander Jordan of tiny Indiana (Pa.) University played only one season of high school football and has his best performances ahead of him. He dominated at his level but showed at the Senior Bowl he belonged among draft's best guard prospects. Jordan will struggle against some quicker players, but put him in a phone booth with a tiger and he'll come out ahead. Center Rob Riti of Missouri is small but smart and plays with great intensity.

Declining: Only a year ago, Ohio State guard Ben Gilbert was regarded as a potential first-round pick, but he got top-heavy, lost movement skills and couldn't sustain his blocks. Bobby Williams of Arkansas and Colorado's Ryan Johanningmeier are tackles who underachieved as seniors and probably reduced themselves to late-round choices.

Intriguing: Center Seneca Gray of Kentucky State and Hampton University guard Jason Thomas are interior linemen from traditionally black schools who figure to be drafted in the mid- to late rounds. Gray can play any position on the line. Thomas has to find some aggressiveness but possesses great movement skills.

Sleepers: Tackle Jon Carman of Georgia Tech is a former 350-pounder who has dramatically cut his weight and body fat and has been running in the 5.3s for scouts. He is nearly 6-feet-8 and has an incredible wingspan. He isn't a very polished athlete, but he'll compete hard, wants to learn and, at worst, could be a practice squad player. Michael Moore transferred from Alabama after being a starter to tiny Troy State in 1999. He may be too short to play tackle but has so much girth and aggressiveness, someone will project him as a guard.