While the top-tier of offensive tackles in the 2014 NFL Draft may be fairly close in overall rankings, there is a distinctive gap between Jake Matthews of Texas A&M at No. 1 and the rest of the class.
Matthews has flawlessly moved over to left tackle replacing Luke Joeckel this season. He's even filled in on the right side due to injury. While a team picking him in the top 10 won't care as much about the versatility, it's there, as is his willingness to move around. Matthews has all of the good traits you look for in a tackle prospect. He moves his feet smoothly, gets his hands up and extended and has good bend. Don't expect his high ranking to change before the draft in May.
The players directly behind him are good, but each has an area that can be picked apart. Cyrus Kouandjio of Alabama is still somewhat raw. Taylor Lewan of Michigan doesn't always have quick feet. Antonio Richardson of Tennessee may be more of a right tackle in the NFL.
The player with the most potential is Matthews' teammate Cedric Ogbuehi. He's a superb athlete for a tackle, it's just a question of whether or not he'll go pro. Of the top five players, he has the greatest chance of rising.
Keep an eye on Brandon Scherff of Iowa. A Mel Kiper favorite, Scherff is a powerful blocker capable of pushing linemen around in run blocking.
1. Jake Matthews | 6'5, 305 pounds | Offensive tackle | Texas A&M |
2. Cyrus Kouandjio | 6'5, 312 pounds | Offensive tackle | Alabama * |
3. Taylor Lewan | 6'7, 310 pounds | Offensive tackle | Michigan |
4. Antonio Richardson | 6'6, 332 pounds | Offensive tackle | Tennessee * |
5. Cedric Ogbuehi | 6'5, 300 pounds | Offensive tackle | Texas A&M * |
6. James Hurst | 6'7, 305 pounds | Offensive tackle | North Carolina |
7. La'el Collins | 6'5, 315 pounds | Offensive tackle | LSU * |
8. Cameron Erving | 6'6, 320 pounds | Offensive tackle | Florida State * |
9. Brandon Scherff | 6'5, 315 pounds | Offensive tackle | Iowa * |
10. Ju'Wuan James | 6'6, 324 pounds | Offensive tackle | Tennessee |
11. Jack Mewhort | 6'7, 308 pounds | Offensive tackle | Ohio State |
12. Zack Martin | 6'4, 305 pounds | Offensive tackle | Notre Dame |
13. Tyrus Thompson | 6'5, 320 pounds | Offensive tackle | Oklahoma * |
14. Cornelius Lucas | 6'9, 328 pounds | Offensive tackle | Kansas State |
15. Morgan Moses | 6'6, 335 pounds | Offensive tackle | Virginia |
16. Justin Britt | 6'6, 315 pounds | Offensive tackle | Missouri |
17. Seantrel Henderson | 6'8, 345 pounds | Offensive tackle | Miami |
18. Le'Raven Clark | 6'5, 320 pounds | Offensive tackle | Texas Tech ** |
19. Kaleb Johnson | 6'4, 300 pounds | Offensive tackle | Rutgers * |
20. Malcolm Bunche | 6'7, 327 pounds | Offensive tackle | Miami * |
21. Sean Hickey | 6'5, 285 pounds | Offensive tackle | Syracuse * |
22. Ryan Groy | 6'5, 320 pounds | Offensive tackle | Wisconsin |
23. Rob Crisp | 6'7, 298 pounds | Offensive tackle | North Carolina State |
24. Brandon Thomas | 6'3, 305 pounds | Offensive tackle/Guard | Clemson |
25. Jimmy Bennett | 6'9, 306 pounds | Left tackle | Connecticut |
26. Jake Olson | 6'8, 305 pounds | Offensive tackle | Central Michigan |
27. Chris Martin | 6'5, 303 pounds | Offensive tackle | Central Florida |
28. Aaron Williams | 6'5, 324 pounds | Offensive tackle | Arkansas State |
29. Jeremiah Sirles | 6'6, 310 pounds | Offensive tackle | Nebraska |
30. Donovan Smith | 6'5, 325 pounds | Offensive tackle | Penn State ** |