Lance's 2021 Prospects to Watch: O-Lineman and D-Tackles
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Guys getting all the love: Evan Neal (Alabama), Zion Nelson (Miami), Sean Rhyan (UCLA), Charles Cross (Mississippi State), Rasheed Walker (Penn State)
Guys to Watch:
Tyler Vrabel (Boston College): He plays on the right side, while Zion Johnson (who I think will play Guard in the NFL) starts on the left. He’s been very good through two seasons, with room to grow and Right Tackles are getting a lot more love in the modern NFL.
Thayer Munford (Ohio State): It’s shocking how little attention Munford is getting considering he plays for Ohio State and he graded out as PFF’s #4 Offensive Tackle last year.
Abraham Lucas (Washington State): He did a solid job last year in a very limited season. He should have more of an opportunity this year to build his stock.
Daniel Faalele (Minnesota): A MONSTER of a man (listed at 6’9”, 380), with exceptional athleticism for his size. He had a great 2019 season, but didn’t play last year and not having him on the field was clearly felt by the Gophers offense.
Darian Kinnard (Kentucky): PFF’s #5 Tackle a season ago. With the shift in Offensive scheme and the weapons the Wildcats boast, Kinnard should get lots more love throughout the season.
Jake Fuzak (Buffalo): Buffalo’s O-Line played a big part in their 6-1 season and PFF’s #6 Tackle was perhaps the best piece of that unit. Munford (4), Kinnard (5) and Fuzak (6), are the top three graded Tackles returning as Brady Christensen, Christian Darrisaw and Teven Jenkins all left.
INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Guys getting all the love: Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa), Kenyon Green (Texas A&M), Ikem Ekwonu (North Carolina State)
Guys to Watch:
Zion Johnson (Boston College): Currently starting at Left Tackle for the Eagles, I think he’ll slide inside as a pro and end up excelling as a Guard. He can build his stock up more with a good showing in season, but he may have to wait until the Combine to make a real move up the boards.
Cain Madden (Notre Dame): PFF’s #1 Offensive Guard in 2020! Yep, their top graded Guard came from little ol’ Marshall. He opted to transfer to Notre Dame this offseason which will provide plenty of opportunities for him to showcase his abilities on a larger stage.
Jacob Gall (Baylor): Gall was PFF’s #2 Guard! He was a part of Buffalo's high performing Offensive Line that helped pave the way for the Bulls to make it to the MAC Championship last year. Now he'll be suiting up for Baylor in the hopes that playing for a bigger school will boost his stock.
Danny Godlevske (Oklahoma State): A transfer from Ball State, Godlevske now gets a chance to demonstrate he can continue his top notch play against bigger competition. Also, he sat out last season, so he needs to show that the time off didn’t hurt him.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Guys getting all the love: DeMarvin Leal (Texas A&M), Haskell Garrett (Ohio State), Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma)
Guys to Watch:
C.J. Brewer (Coastal Carolina): If Brewer had come out last season I think he could have forced himself up into day 2 of the draft with a solid Pro Day. Returning to school may give him a chance at jumping someone like Winfrey, a player that’s getting a lot of love and I don’t understand why. Brewer is listed at 6’2”, 290 and was, in my opinion, the best Defensive Lineman on a team that had a surprising amount of talent in the group. Of course 93 tackles as a Defensive Tackle will go a long way toward showing what you can do, as will 6.5 sacks.
Phidarian Mathis (Alabama): I was kind of hearing murmurings about Mathis (and D.J. Dale), but they’ve seemed to have fallen to the wayside. I like what Mathis has shown more than I do Dale, and with Barmore gone to the NFL, Mathis will have every opportunity to boost his stock this season.
Roderick Perry (Illinois): Perry played for South Carolina State in 2019 and dominated with 14.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Then he transferred to Illinois where he played in 6 games and managed 2 sacks. Returning to Illinois to show he can compete with the best under a full schedule was the right move; now he just has to follow through.
Dion Novil (North Texas): BIG Nose Tackle type with very good production. How many times have we seen a 6’4”, 330 pound D-Tackle finish the season with 94 tackles and 3.5 sacks? He did that in 2019. He followed that up last year with 52 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 8 games (a pace that would have put him at 78 tackles and 3.5-4 sacks in a normal season). And that’s with teams knowing what they were going up against!
Jordan Davis (Georgia): Another BIG Nose Tackle type. His statistical production isn’t great, but for his role you’re more looking at how well he holds up against multiple blockers and he does a pretty good job of that. In order for him to garner first-round consideration he’ll need the stats to improve some.
