NFL Draft Scouting Report- Offensive Tackles

Since the end of last season the talk of the 2016 NFL Draft for Cleveland Browns fans had been, “Which quarterback should we take?” Now with the draft approaching quickly, the question has changed with the new one being, “What do we do with the second pick?”

The trade between the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans for the top spot in the draft and the signing of Robert Griffin III by the Browns has changed the perspective of this draft.

Some experts still had the Browns taking the QB that would be “left over” after the Rams make their choice. With the signing of RGIII, and having a roster that already contains Josh McCown and Austin Davis is another quarterback really what Cleveland needs?

Enter the Philadelphia Eagles, who offered the Browns their first round pick this year, number 8 in the draft, along with third and fourth round picks this year. To sweeten the deal even further, the Eagles will also send their 2017 first and second round picks.

All it will cost the Browns is dropping six spots in the draft and a conditional fourth round pick in 2017.

This move has all the indications that Cleveland has decided not to find a quarterback in this draft and will look to fill other positions, such as the offensive tackle.

Joe Thomas returns for his 10th season on the left side, while a hole was created when Mitchell Schwartz left Cleveland and signed with Kansas City during the offseason. Let’s take a look at the top possibilities for the Browns at the offensive tackle position.

• Laremy Tunsil- Ole Miss 6’5”, 310 pounds

Tunsil is possibly the best athlete of the top tackles in this draft, but unfortunately comes with a long list of negatives that could prove costly on draft day.

First the positive, the 3-year starter at tackle has great balance, can handle speed when coming at him, and can also hit and be ready to hit again with power. Tunsil only allowed one sack as a freshman as a starter. In fact, he only allowed two in the three years he played at Ole Miss.  

The fact that he has only allowed two sacks in three years is misleading because he has never played a full season. Injuries to his knee, ankle, bicep, and a broken fibula all cost him playing time during his three years.

Tunsil was also arrested in June of 2015 for a domestic dispute with his stepfather in which the charges were eventually dropped. That arrest led to an NCAA investigation in which he was suspended for seven games. The NCAA found that he guilty of accepting impermissible benefits and for not being “completely forthcoming” when initially questioned by the NCAA.

Even though he declared after his junior year, Tunsil may be the best athlete available in this draft, doesn’t mean he is the greatest pick. With all the eyes that are upon the Browns in this draft, I really do not see them taking the chance on a guy who cannot stay healthy and has had signs of trouble in his past.

• Ronnie Stanley- Notre Dame 6’6”, 312 pounds

Stanley probably would have been the top tackle in the draft had he declared himself eligible last year after his sophomore season, but he returned for one more year. He has experience on both sides with 13 starts on the right side and 27 on the left.

In the running game he shows that he can drive defenders off the ball with his strength, while his speed and determination helps him block as a runner gets into the second level.

His pass blocking shows that he has good awareness and will continually look for someone to block, especially any defender coming from the outside.

Stanley still has room to improve but scouts like his potential. Sometimes he makes a mistake because he plays a little over anxious.

This could be a good pick for the Browns if they traded down in the first round. With the veteran leadership on the line and his ability, Stanley could potentially grow into a Pro Bowl lineman.

• Jack Conklin- Michigan State 6’6”, 308 pounds

Conklin’s name is found as the definition for the word determination in the dictionary. Barely recruited through high school, his only scholarship offer was from Division II Wayne State, so he had planned on playing at Fork Union Military School, but then Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio took another look at his tape and asked Conklin to walk on with a chance that he could earn a scholarship his second year.

He took that chance, worked hard, and not only became a scholarship athlete, but a starter at left tackle. Now, after his junior year, he could be the first Michigan State offensive lineman taken in the first round since Tony Mandarich in 1989.

Size, strength, balance, and a good ability to learn more all work in Conklin’s favor and will make up for his lack of raw speed.

Some have compared him to Andrew Whitworth of the Cincinnati Bengals in the fact that he will use his wide frame and strength to win over any speed on the edge. Conklin has also seen some time on both sides of the ball.

• Taylor Decker- Ohio State 6’7”, 310 pounds

As the Big Ten Conference offensive lineman of the year, Decker is arguably the best senior lineman in this year’s draft.

Named team captain by his teammates, he started 14 games at right tackle as a sophomore before switching to the left side for his final 28 games at OSU.

Decker is a tall, powerful player and uses his reach and strong hands to control rushers, but also the agility to move and take care of blocking on the second level.

However, this vocal leader has some down sides as he has some plays on film where he appears to lose concentration at the snap and looks unprepared. He also has to work some on his technique.

Even with that being said, Decker is durable, did not miss a single game in his four years, and ready to step in right away and help make a line stronger in the NFL.

• Germain Ifedi- Texas A&M 6’6”, 324 pounds

Ifedi was a three-year starter for the Aggies, but his first season was spent at guard before moving over to tackle. He was destined to be at left tackle, but struggled on that side and was moved over.

Toying with the idea of declaring after his junior year, Ifedi changed his mind after receiving the word that he would probably be a second round choice.

Now built well for the next level, it will be hard for rushers to get around him and he moves well laterally to cut off the speed rushes. He will do well in pass blocking schemes.

Ifedi struggles with his concentration at times and is guilty of false start penalties and has trouble retreating at the snap sometimes rather than attacking.

He has some technical problems with his mechanics but with some aggressive coaching could correct those easily. It will all depend on his discipline. Hopefully he will have better discipline than the man he blocked for back in 2013, Johnny Manziel.

If the Browns stay pat with the eighth pick, it is highly doubtful that Tunsil, who is projected to go as high as number three, will be available. His injuries and off field antics would have probably scared off Cleveland anyway.

Stanley, however, could be a good choice. He has experience on the right side vacated by Schwartz, and would be ready to step right in. Don’t expect a Pro Bowl year, but with the experience of the line already for the Browns, he could grow into one.

Another player, Jason Spriggs from Indiana, could deserve a look with the 32nd pick if he is still available. The six foot, six inch, 301 pounder is a four-year starter at left tackle and improved each year for the Hoosiers.