The NFL Scouting Combine is finished and it’s time again to look at each position for the upcoming NFL Draft. Today, we move to the offensive line with the top five and then two others to watch.
TOP FIVE
Recruiting: After attending Saratoga Springs (Utah) Westlake where he played defensive tackle, Bolles went on his LDS mission. He then attended Ephraim (Utah) Snow College where he played for two seasons before transferring to Utah. He also considered Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan State, Oregon, Arkansas and Georgia.
Interesting note: Bolles, who only played one year of FBS football, will be 25 years old by the start of fall camp. That will be a concern for NFL teams considering him as the top offensive tackle in this draft.
Stock report: Up
Farrell’s take: Bolles was a class of 2016 recruit because of his mission and playing at JUCO, so he’s fresher in my mind than any other draft prospect. He was a big, tall kid who had a frame that could still fill out even as an older JUCO prospect, and he was an excellent drive blocker, keeping his feet moving and reaching the second level. There’s a reason he was our No. 3 JUCO prospect in 2016 and was considered as a potential five-star. Now he could be the No. 1 lineman taken.
Recruiting: Alabama and LSU battled it out for the nation’s top-rated offensive tackle, and the Crimson Tide won out in early September of his senior year when Robinson chose them over the in-state Tigers.
Interesting note: There were four five-stars in Louisiana’s 2014 class, with LSU signees RB Leonard Fournette and WR Malachi Dupre rated higher. Robinson was ahead of Texas A&M signee WR Speedy Noil.
Stock report: Steady
Farrell’s take: This is a weak offensive line class and he is still near the top of the heap, although his talents are polarizing to NFL scouts because of a lack of consistency and a projection by some to the inside. This kid was obviously a can’t-miss based on his ranking, and he’s the only one who can stop himself from being a star in the NFL.
Recruiting: According to reports, when then-Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst took the Pitt job, Ramczyk was offered a scholarship by the Panthers, but he chose not to take it. He signed at Winona State but did not enroll and instead attended Madison Area Technical College and Mid-State Technical College. Ramczyk then went to Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he played for two seasons before transferring to Wisconsin.
Interesting note: After turning down Pitt and enrolling at Winona State, Ramczyk left a week later without taking a class. He enrolled at a technical college in hopes of becoming a welder.
Stock report: Steady
Farrell’s take: Ramczyk was clearly not on our radar as a Winona State University signee. His path to Wisconsin is amazing and his physical nature and aggressiveness had scouts drooling, but now there have been some questions about his love of football.
Recruiting: In early January, shortly after an official visit to Florida Atlantic, Lamp committed to Western Kentucky over FAU, FIU, Miami, Ohio and many others.
Stats: A few days before the NFL combine, Lamp showed off his athleticism by dunking a basketball in socks and sandals. He measured in Indianapolis at 6-foot-4 and 309 pounds.
Stock report: Up
Farrell’s take: Lamp was a lightly recruited, skinny tackle out of high school who has developed into a very good inside prospect at the next level. He looked more like a tight end physically in high school, and despite excellent footwork, we had some questions about how he would fill out and handle the strength and power of college players. He landed at the right spot and developed well, but the lack of elite competition he faced could be an issue. He had a very good combine and could be rising on this list.
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Recruiting: The three-star committed to Indiana over Illinois and Western Michigan in the summer before his senior season. Northwestern, Wisconsin, Purdue and others were showing interest.
Interesting note: Feeney started all 12 games as a freshman at right guard. By the end of his career, and also because of injuries, the Hoosiers had moved him to right tackle at times.
Stock report: Steady
Farrell’s take: Feeney wasn’t heavily recruited. He had excellent technique, knee bend and could pass block and run block equally well. But he wasn't overly athletic and his footwork needed help. He was always a hard worker in high school and continually worked on all aspects of his game. Feeney has improved a great deal each year in college and took on a new role this season and fought back from injury. He’s versatile and could play guard or tackle, and his combine was solid and kept him in the mix as a late first-rounder or surefire second-rounder.
TWO TO WATCH
Recruiting: The two-star offensive guard, who spent the 2012 season at Hargrave Military Academy, committed to Temple over offers from Cincinnati and Liberty.
Stats: Throughout his career, Dawkins has played both tackle and guard, and that could make him a more valuable asset for NFL teams. Dawkins has also said he plans to learn to play center, too.
Stock report: Up
Farrell’s take: Dawkins needed an extra year at Hargrave Military to earn his offers. He was a solid run blocker in prep school but wasn’t overly athletic and needed some work on his feet. Now he’s rising on boards because he can play guard or tackle at the NFL level.
Recruiting: The Seminoles always seemed like the front-runner for the Midwest four-star prospect, but he waited until National Signing Day to announce his decision. Ohio State and Alabama were the other serious contenders.
Stats: Johnson started 31 straight games at left tackle for Florida State and twice won the award for best offensive lineman in the ACC.
Stock report: Steady
Farrell’s take: Johnson was a tall kid with good feet and a great frame who was already filled out a bit, but he didn’t play against the best competition. So it was tough to gauge how he would do against bigger and more physical players. That being said, Johnson was obviously a four-star and in our Rivals250, so he wasn’t missed. He’s one of many linemen who could be in this category in a bad year, but his length and athleticism are intriguing.
