2016 NFL Draft: Doc’s Thoughts on the Guards.

Whitehair

1. Cody Whitehair, Kansas State, 6-3 1/2 301: Whitehair is athletic. He moves well laterally in zone blocking schemes and when pulling. Comes off of double teams quickly and can seal a second level defender. Whitehair is a good pass blocker. Moves well laterally and can punch and recoil. He is a little light in the pants and he will struggle at times against bigger tackles but he’ll compete. Solid day two pick.

2. Vadal Alexander, LSU, 6-5 326: Alexander is massive. He has big hands and he does a good job of getting inside hand position. A mauler at the point of attack. Alexander can displace bigger tackles and root them out. He is not natural bender however. Plays tall and struggles to move laterally. Alexander struggles with speed rushers who can take an edge on him. Handles bull rushers but he does lose leverage at times. Alexander is versatile enough that he can play right tackle but he’s better suited inside.

3. Spencer Drango, Baylor, 6-5 1/2 315: If there is such a thing as an athletic mauler, its Drango. Drango is strong at the point of attack. He wins one on one battles but he is also effective moving laterally in zone blocking schemes. Drango is athletic enough that he can pull as the uncovered lineman and seal a perimeter defender. Tough. He has a mauler mentality. Drango is a good pass blocker who can mirror, pop and recoil but he tends to be high at times in his kick slide and he’s caught off balance. I think he is a solid third or fourth round pick.

4. Seb Tratola, Arkansas, 6-4 314: Truly a hog. Tratola is big, physical and strong at the point of attack. He gets movement in the run game. Tratola moves well laterally but he’s not fluid. he does get thrown off track at times. Solid short area pass blocker but he struggles with twists and stunts. Can be a bit sluggish at times and he doesn’t always play to his ability. I think he’s a fourth or fifth round value.

5. Josh Garnett, Stanford, 6-4 1/2 312: I like Garnett a lot. He is technically sounds and strong at the point of attack. He wins one on one battles and he comes off double teams and is athletic enough to seal at the second level. He’s a sound pass blocker who moves well laterally and doesn’t give up ground while engaged. He’s not great at anything but he is a solid all-around player. I think he would be a solid fifth or sixth round pick.

6. Rees Odhiambo, Boise State, 6-4 314: Odhiambo is versatile in that he can play guard or tackle. Athletic. Moves well in space and is equally effective in all four directions. Played in a diverse offense at Boise State so he has had to absorb a lot in terms of the playbook. He is strong to win stalemates one on one but he does struggle against bigger bodies inside. He’s a good pass blocker but needs to bend more. A day three prospect.

7. Connor McGovern, Missouri, 6-4 306: A tough guy who wins one on one battles and gets good movement at the point of attack. Moves well laterally and can bend. Not overly physical. McGovern is a prime example of today’s offensive lineman. He’s schooled more in zone blocking schemes than man blocking schemes. Good pass blocker who has a tendency to lean and lose leverage. A developmental prospect who can develop into a solid back up/spot starter.

8. Denver Kirkland, Arkansas, 6-4 1/2 335: Kirkland is another hog who is massive. A big wide body who can play in the phone booth and get push. More of vertical lineman who does his best work at the point of contact. He’s not overly athletic but he is a decent pass blocker. He could stand to drop some weight. Kind of a bad body. Kirkland is tough however so if he drops 25-30 pounds, could develop into a starting caliber guard.

9. Joe Dahl, Washington State, 6-4 304: Long and lean, Dahl is another one of these slender and fit offensive lineman. Athletic. Moves well in all four directions and can get to the second level quickly. Tough at the point of attack. Gets good movement despite the fact that he plays tall and doesn’t appear to be strong. Dahl is a solid pass blocker who moves well laterally and can adjust to double moves. Adapt at picking up twists and stunts. A solid day three prospect.

10. Parker Ehringer, Cincinnati, 6-6 310: Ehringer can play guard or tackle but given his feet, he’s a better fit inside. Strong at the point of attack and he wins a lot of one on one battles. Can be a little heavy footed but he’s athletic. Needs some fundamental work but his frame is clay and the right offensive line coach could mold him into something.