The NFL Draft is coming up in a few weeks. With the NFL Combine and pro days in the rear-view mirror, here is our ranked list of top offensive linemen heading into the draft.
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Recruiting: Originally from Atlanta, Williams moved to Folsom, Calif., early in high school but heading back to SEC country always seemed like a priority for the five-star offensive tackle. His mother went to Auburn and his dad went to Georgia, but Williams picked the Crimson Tide in April of his junior year.
Buzz: Williams started 44 games for the Crimson Tide at the tackle spots and he was an immediate contributor when he got to Tuscaloosa. He should have convinced everyone by now that he’s the best available OT in this draft. Except a lot of NFL scouts prefer him to move inside to guard and there have been some suggestions he play center as well. That versatility could help Williams’ draft stock or it could leave some to question exactly where he fits.
Farrell’s take: Williams was the rare five-star prospect who didn’t attend camps, didn’t care about all-star games and just dominated on the football field with pads and a helmet, so I had no interactions with him. We saw him in game action, but never got to see him go against the elite defensive linemen in the country at any events. But it didn’t matter to us, because he was so good in person and on film and he had that throwback, nasty attitude of the greats of yesteryear. Williams just wanted to destroy the player in front of him and help his team win - he didn’t care about gear, free trips or rankings. He’s clearly showing our faith in his film was warranted. He’s the first offensive lineman off the board.
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Recruiting: Taylor had been committed to Miami, but when Florida offered in the middle of his senior season, the three-star prospect decided to flip his commitment to the Gators. His relationship with high school teammate Chauncey Gardner-Johnson played a role in his choice.
Buzz: This time last year, Taylor was nowhere near this high on the NFL Draft radar, but after a stellar season and then a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, the former three-star who weighed 345 pounds in high school has emerged as possibly the first offensive tackle taken off the board. Coming out of high school, fellow Florida offensive lineman Martez Ivey was rated higher, but Taylor has emerged as the top selection for the Gators.
Farrell’s take: Well, we didn’t see this one coming. Taylor was a massive kid who carried some bad weight for most of his high school career. That led to a projection as a prospect who could play tackle at the prep level but would probably move to guard in college because he wasn’t quick enough. He was strong and a powerful run blocker, but struggled in pass protection against faster players. Now slimmed down, he’s become an elite SEC tackle and is a potential top 10 pick. There is no way on earth you could have told me I was looking at a first-round tackle when he was in high school, based on his weight and athleticism.
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Recruiting: Ford had been committed to TCU earlier in his recruitment, but after an offer from Oklahoma early in the summer before his senior season, the four-star offensive lineman decided to flip his commitment to the Sooners.
Buzz: While there is debate about where other elite offensive linemen will play in the NFL, it’s clear Ford is going to be inside and he has the potential to be special. He was one of four Oklahoma offensive linemen at the combine, but all eyes were on him because he has first-round potential. Williams might move inside but Ford should be the first pure interior offensive lineman drafted later this month.
Farrell’s take: Ford was a four-star outside the Rivals250 who didn’t carry a lot of bad weight at 320-plus pounds and was very physical, but he needed some refinement in his technique. He had light feet but he would get out of position at times and was very raw in camp settings. However, he always had a very strong motor and wanted to take reps to improve. When he did engage he was hard to move. He projects as a guard at the NFL level, but he has shown he can play right tackle.
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Recruiting: Considered his dream school, Kansas State earned Risner's commitment in March of his junior year. Arizona State, Cal, Colorado and Missouri were some other programs involved in his recruitment.
Buzz: A fringe first-round selection, Risner started his career at Kansas State playing center, but then he mainly played right tackle the rest of the way for the Wildcats. He’s a smart, tough and determined lineman who feels he’s not getting enough pre-draft publicity, but he could be a solid, long-term starter in the league. Plus, he helped open up holes for Kansas State RB Alex Barnes, who rushed for 1,355 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
Farrell’s take: Risner was a highly ranked three-star coming out of high school in Colorado and a road-grader and mauler as a run-blocker. He also had good feet in pass protection and was a guy we liked at a position that’s hard to project. Now, he's rising on the boards of many NFL teams because of his ability to run and pass block and his nasty streak. He wasn’t that big in high school, but he has added good weight. His versatility is intriguing, for sure, and some have him as high as the No. 2 tackle on their board.
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Recruiting: Ranked as a two-star prospect, Dillard committed to Washington State in December of his senior season. His only other offers came from Idaho, Eastern Washington and Portland State. His father, Mitch, played for the Cougars in the 1980s.
Buzz: Washington State is not exactly a place that churns out elite offensive linemen, but Dillard could be one, as he showed excellent footwork and athleticism at the combine and he could be the only true left tackle among this bunch. That’s why many mock drafts have Dillard coming off first among this offensive line group. He definitely had his moments at the combine, but the question remains whether he faced elite defensive ends in the Pac-12.
Farrell’s take: Dillard was thought to be just a legacy offer out of high school as a kid who was only 240 pounds and needed a lot of work in the weight room. Now he’s turned into a potential first- or second-rounder and has kept his athleticism while adding good weight.
