2022 Draft Board: Offensive Lineman

Go check out my 2022 Quarterback Draft Board article if you want to get more background information on how this all works. I’m just going to jump right into the top five and the board.

Pushing all of the Offensive Lineman into one board made the most sense even if it does lengthen out the article a bit. I still have it broken down by Tackles, Guards and Centers, so you can see the individual rankings for each.

TOP FIVE

1) Charles Cross (Mississippi State)

Analysis: It was difficult choosing between Penning and Cross, but I ultimately gave the edge to Cross because of the level of competition he played (especially in the SEC). He had very good PFF numbers, but the most impressive thing to me was the tremendous growth he showed from two years ago to last season. I think there's still room to grow and the right coach will be able to draw that out of him.

2) Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa)

Analysis: Penning is a mauler and that shows in his PFF run blocking grade (99.9[!]). He received a solid pass blocking grade too, but his aggressiveness can cause him to overextend, so he'll need some coaching to fix that. Regardless, he's a day one starter.

3) Ikem Ekwonu (North Carolina State)

Analysis: Ekwonu is a fantastic run blocker, and he did drastically improve his pass blocking, but I feel like he needs more work in that area than Cross and Penning do. That's why he's my #3 and not my #1 or 2 like everyone else views him.

4) Evan Neal (Alabama)

Analysis: The talent is there, but I don't think he's a guarantee like he's being advertised. Not performing any of the athletic tests concerns me too, and that's what made it easy for me to drop him to fourth.

5) Abraham Lucas (Washington State)

Analysis: His run blocking needs work, but that's not all that surprising for a Washington State Lineman. On the other hand he had the highest pass blocking grade from PFF out of all the Tackles invited to the Combine. Tackles who can step into the league and make a legitimate impact pass blocking right away are difficult to come by these days. Plus, he showed stellar athleticism, especially with his incredible 4.40 short shuttle.

Sleeper: Braxton Jones (Southern Utah)

Analysis: Jones is getting overlooked and it's kind of troubling to me. He showed good athleticism at the Combine, and he's got good size and great length (35.38" arms). It's his PFF grades that are most impressive though, both his run and pass blocking were above 90, he's the only Tackle that was invited to the Combine this year to do that.

SURPRISINGLY LEFT OFF

For the record, Bernhard Raimann, Sean Rhyan, Kellen Diesch and Luke Goedeke were all moved to Guard because of their arm length measurements. Other than them I think seeing Lucas in my top five over Max Mitchell or Tyler Smith might surprise some, but his PSR was much higher than Smith's and a little higher than Mitchell's, and he played tougher competition than Mitchell did.

DRAFT BOARD

My Draft Board

REMOVED FROM DRAFT BOARD

For each position there are players who either had a red flag in their college production or athletic testing (or both) that led to them being removed from my draft board. These are referred to as negative factors and can lead to one of two labels: Depleted or Empty. In order for a player to receive a Depleted label, they had to have a negative factor that significantly decreased the chances of success in players who had that same factor from 2010-2019. In order for a player to receive an Empty label, they had to have a negative factor that led to zero successful players who had that same factor from 2010-2019. There were eight Tackles removed from my board (the guys with the shorter arms were moved to Guard).

Andrew Stueber (Michigan) - Depleted

Austin Deculus (LSU) - Depleted

Cordell Volson (North Dakota State) - Depleted

Daniel Faalele (Minnesota) - Depleted

Dare Rosenthal (Kentucky) - Depleted

Myron Cunningham (Arkansas) - Depleted

Obinna Eze (TCU) - Depleted

Rasheed Walker (Penn State) - Depleted

TOP FIVE GUARDS

1) Zion Johnson (Boston College)

Analysis: Johnson's been my top Guard in this class since before the college season ended, but I thought for sure when I moved Raimann to Guard that was going to come to an end. Clearly it didn't, and a lot of that has to do with Johnson demonstrating crazy athleticism to go with his strength (32 reps on the bench). He was also a great blocker at Boston College and faced better competition than Raimann did.

2) Bernhard Raimann (Central Michigan)

Analysis: Raimann and the next three all went to the Combine as Tackles, but all measure in with arms shorter than 33.25". His PFF grades in both blocking categories was spectacular, the growth he showed this past season was even more impressive, and his athleticism and strength is not too shabby either. I could see a team trying to use him at Tackle still, and I wouldn't blame them, but if it doesn't work out he'll still have a home on the inside.

3) Kellen Diesch (Arizona State)

Analysis: There was a little buzz around him entering the Combine, and then he ran the second fastest short shuttle among all Offensive Lineman (4.43), and tied for the second fastest forty (4.89) and the buzz turned into some loud hum.

4) Sean Rhyan (UCLA)

Analysis: I really liked Rhyan as a sleeper at Tackle before his arm measurement at the Combine. I still believe he has lots of potential as a Guard, especially since a move inside should help him with his pass blocking (the weaker area in his game).

5) Logan Bruss (Wisconsin)

Analysis: Out of all of the Tackles I moved to Guard due to arm length Bruss' was the closest call (1/8 of an inch), but I also think he was the easiest call. A transition to Guard is exactly what the doctor ordered, especially with his pass blocking worsening last year. Though he will need the right system to fit his style/athletic build.

Sleeper: Blaise Andries (Minnesota)

Analysis: He's not really getting any buzz, but in back to back seasons he did very well against the run, while showing nice improvement in his pass blocking. I was concerned that he may not show well in the athletic testing, but that was definitely not the case and now I think someone is going to land an eventual starter late in the draft.

TOP FIVE CENTERS

1) Zach Tom (Wake Forest)

Analysis: If the team that drafts Tom decides to play him at Tackle I think he will succeed. Heck, had I kept him at Tackle he would've been #4 in my top five. I listed him at Center though because I believe he can be an all-pro at the position.

2) Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa)

Analysis: He lost the #1 spot because I have genuine concerns about his length (31.13" arms). However, he was a tremendous blocker for the Hawkeyes and they do a great job of churning out Lineman, plus he hit on a 100% success rate factor.

3) Cam Jurgens (Nebraska)

Analysis: He was removed from my board, then his athletic tests were posted from his pro day and some of what he did coupled with his 4.92 forty gave him a factor that's led to a 100% success rate so far and now he's in my top three. The athleticism is clearly there now he just needs a coach who can get the most out of it.

4) Luke Fortner (Kentucky)

Analysis:  Liam Coen was exactly what the Kentucky Lineman needed, and Fortner and Darian Kinnard showed why. Kinnard was already looking good with his run blocking, but this past season he made a big leap in his pass blocking. Fortner wasn't doing too well in either category, but his PFF grades for both went above 80 for the 2021 season.

5) Luke Wattenberg (Washington)

Analysis:  Probably more of a low-end starter or long-term backup. He's a decent all-around blocker with so-so athleticism.

Sleeper: None

Analysis: Dohnovan West is the only other Center to receive a grade from me, but there isn't anything I see that I think will make him anything more than a backup, if that.  

SURPRISINGLY LEFT OFF

For some of the other positions I put this section in to acknowledge players who are very highly touted, but didn’t make my top five. I didn’t feel the need to address any Interior O-Lineman in this area.

OG DRAFT BOARD

My Guard Draft Board

C DRAFT BOARD

* = Player has a factor that has led to a 100% success rate (so far)

My Center Draft Board

REMOVED FROM DRAFT BOARD

For each position there are players who either had a red flag in their college production or athletic testing (or both) that led to them being removed from my draft board. These are referred to as negative factors and can lead to one of two labels: Depleted or Empty. In order for a player to receive a Depleted label, they had to have a negative factor that significantly decreased the chances of success in players who had that same factor from 2010-2019. In order for a player to receive an Empty label, they had to have a negative factor that led to zero successful players who had that same factor from 2010-2019. There was one Center and nine Guards removed from my boards.

Ben Brown (Ole Miss) - Depleted

Chris Paul (Tulsa) - Depleted

Dawson Deaton (Texas Tech) - Depleted

Jamaree Salyer (Georgia) - Depleted

Kenyon Green (Texas A&M) - Depleted

Spencer Burford (UTSA) - Depleted

Thayer Munford (Ohio State) - Depleted

Chasen Hines (LSU) - Empty

Lecitus Smith (Virginia Tech) - Empty

Tyrese Robinson (Oklahoma) - Empty