Thread on OT prospects

I tried the search thing, couldn't find a thread comparing the OT prospects, which seems the most expected pick at 13.

Other than Jake Long, there seems to be several who might be had at 13:

Ryan Clady
Chris Williams
Jeff Otah
Gosder Cherilus

Granted, some will say that Clady won't be there and that Cherilus is a reach. But I'm interested in thoughts on these 4 guys.

I read some on Cherilus, and it was less than complimentary about his LT play. SAme with Willims, where I read he'd be better suited at guard. Otah got rave reviews at LT.

Anybody?

Thanks

 

I don't like Otah.

He also screwed my sister.

 

I think the top four Tackles will be gone, and I think Cherilus is a second-round prospect.

So what do the Panthers do? Do they reach and take Cherilus since they need OL? Do they reach for a DT? Do they take a FS or RB like Mendenhall or Stewart, or do they fool everyone and take Flacco or Brohm?

I get the feeling as if they are either going to trade up to get one of the four OT's or trade back and pick up a few picks. Then, they'd take Cherilus, Laws or even perhaps Flacco (whom they are extremely interested in) and still have a high pick to spend on an OL.

I just think that #13 is too valuable to spend on a guy who would probably be there in the second round just because it is a position of need. I think if they HAD to pick at #13 and couldn't trade it for something suitable, they would probably take Mendenhall or Stewart there.

 

Chris Williams played very well against tough SEC competition. I don't recall exactly, but his "sacks against" stat is very impressive.

Otah's lack of mobility concerns me at NFL LT, but could probably step in at RT. The thought is he's still raw, and his best is yet to come.

Cherilus would be a good prospect to trade up from our second round spot for, but is also, like Otah, thought of as a RT in the league.

Clady has the athletic ability to play LT but his level of competition and lack of power concerns me.

I'd be OK with Williams or Otah at #13. Clady will be gone by #13, only way we get him is to trade up.

 

Williams better suited as G??

Dude is prototypical LT....wow. Huh.

 

I don't see what's so great about getting an RT. Gross was not spectacular at LT ( hence him being moved more than once back to RT ), I don't know how we're improving our line by moving him over.

Seems like we might be better off staying put with our tackles, and looking for potential RT depth later, or guard.

Of course, I'm sure the FO knows more than I do. And if we can grab a long term rookie starter at RT, and keep Gross long term at LT, Wharton long term at LG, and Kalil long term at C - we'll have something we haven't had ever really - stability on the OL. Unless, of course, they all suck and it doesn't work out. LOL.

 

Not gonna say it won't happen, but that would be a mistake. If 4 OT are already taken by the 13th pick, that means one of the top DEs or DTs have slipped. That's what they should take before RB.

 

I didn't say it, just read it. Bottom paragraph, under 'compares to'.

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/chris-williams?id=332

Funny thing about all this analysis is that unless it's a top 5 pick, I don't see many people saying 'so and so will make a great LT'. It's like it's the holy grail and only a top 5 prospect can possibly play there.

The Overview page has Wannstedt calling him the best blocker he's ever coached.

 

No no, I know that. I was just surprised to hear that. But yeah, it's weird, first time I ever saw where he was talked about at G....but thanks for the link.

 

Just for shits here are bios from ESPN on all of them:
Ryan Clady
Strengths: Displays excellent initial quickness and overall agility for his size. Very effective pulling and getting out on second-level as a run blocker. Gets adequate hand placement and has above-average balance. Can seal the edge when asked to reach defenders lined up over outside shoulder. Gets set quickly in pass pro. Has very little trouble with speed rushers. Can mirror and slide versus double moves. A natural knee bender. Extends long arms once in position and can ride edge rushers past the pocket when he gets his hands on them. Plays under control and appears comfortable when left on an island. Gets into defenders legs when goes low and is an effective cut blocker. Works from the snap until the whistle and looks to throw blocks downfield.

Weaknesses: Does not show great lower body strength and is going to have problems driving defenders off the ball in short-yardage situations. Lacks ideal explosiveness, hasn't learned how to roll hips into blocks and fails to knock many defenders back at the point of attack. Occasionally will get beat by inside quickness. Needs to learn to set while staying more balanced. Can be overaggressive, lunges a little too much and is vulnerable to push-pull moves. While shows adequate awareness in pass protection and helps out when nothing comes to him, over commits at times and has some problems picking up delayed blitzes. Big enough to hold ground but bends at the waist rather than the knees and is going to have some problems holding ground working against NFL caliber bull rushers. Can get jumpy when defenders start jumping around before the snap and he's vulnerable to false starts.

Overall: Clady redshirted in 2004. In his first active season at Boise State (2005), he made 11 starts at right tackle. In 2006 he moved to left tackle, where he was the starter in all 26 games over the next two seasons. He was a second team All-America selection in 2007. Like a lot of young offensive linemen, Clady needs to get stronger and sharpen his technique. However, he clearly has the frame, quickness, agility and work ethic to quickly develop into a quality starter at left tackle in the NFL. Clady projects as a mid-first round pick, as a result.
Chris Williams
Strengths: Possesses a massive frame; is tall with good bulk, adequate arm length (33.5) and big hands (10). Displays very good overall mobility for his size, including quickness in his pass pro set. Does a very good job of using his long arms to ride pass rushers wide while he's still getting set. Displays great footwork and gets excellent hand placement. While he may not jar defenders at the point of contact, he can lock on and then sustain his blocks. He can engulf bigger defenders once he's in position and engaged. Displays versatility with experience at guard and tackle. He has been durable throughout his career.

Weaknesses: Still too much of a finesse player. Lacks explosive upper-body power. Does not jar defenders at the point of attack. Lacks the base and lower body power to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage in the run game.

Overall: Williams redshirted in 2003 and was ineligible in 2004, when he changed majors and didn't qualify to play football under Vanderbilt's stringent academic standards. In his first active season (2005), he appeared in 11 games and started the final nine at left guard, also taking game reps at left tackle. Williams moved to left tackle for good as a junior, starting all 24 games at the position over his final two seasons (2006-'07). Williams is a left tackle prospect with great feet but a bit too much finesse to his game at this point. He lacks ideal upper-body strength, which was confirmed in only 21 reps on the bench press. He also lacks ideal physicality. However, Williams possesses very good mobility for his big frame and he typically can overcome below-average strength by using excellent technique and positioning. Thanks to a productive senior season, followed by excellent showings at the Senior Bowl and combine; Williams has built tremendous momentum heading into the 2008 draft. He should be one of the top-five offensive linemen selected likely in the middle of the first round.