A Look At The Top Offensive Linemen

OFFENSIVE TACKLE RANKINGS

1. Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

6-4, 315

The lowdown: Named the Big Ten’s top offensive lineman and was a first-team all-conference selection in 2022. … Named second-team all-league in 2020 and 2021. … Grandson of former Green Bay Packers standout Bob Skoronski, who played 11 years during the Lombardi-era and won championships in that time. … Broad frame and thick lower body. … Next Gen Stats ranked Skoronski No. 1 overall and No. 4 athletically among the offensive tackles at the 2023 NFL Combine. … Short arms (32- ¼”) could mean Skoronski will need move to guard. … Terrific footwork and hand placement as a pass blocker. … Outstanding run blocker. … Teams will have tough decision whether to play him inside or out.

Skoronski, talking about his grandfather Bob, who played 11 seasons with Green Bay: “He’s sort of been my football mentor ever since I was born. I just always have looked up to him and wanted to follow in his footsteps. This is a dream continuing in his legacy. In terms of stories, nothing in particular stands out. Him being part of such great teams and winning two Super Bowls and five championships, that’s sort of a Skoronski family legend in a sense. That’s always been someone I’ve looked up to.”

Projection: First round

2. Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State

6-6, 310

The lowdown: Long, athletic tackle with incredibly long arms (36 ½”). … Has all the traits to be longtime starter on the left side. … Must add strength and get better with his hands. … Production score at NFL Combine ranked No. 2 overall according to Next Gen Stats. … Has been susceptible to spin moves.

Johnson says: “My athleticism, I feel, is unmatched in the country. My ability to move my feet and my ability to cover my opponent. My feet can cover anybody and that’s just how I feel. I grew up in church so I did a lot of dancing, but I feel like I have good feet.”

Projection: First round

3. Broderick Jones, Georgia

6-5, 311

The lowdown: Finished No. 3 in production and athleticism among left tackles at NFL Combine according to Next Gen Stats. … Key member of Georgia’s back-to-back national championship teams. … High school basketball standout who has above average athleticism. … Nimble feet and loose hips help him recover in the passing game. … Must improve strength at the next level.

Jones says: “I’m going to come in and give you my all. You’ll never catch me slacking off. I’ll always do my best. Football is what I love to do. It’s just something that I’m a part of. It has become a part of my life. I breathe football. There’s nothing else I do outside of football. It’s all I know. It’s all I’ve ever known. It’s all I’ll ever want to do. Football is my main objective in life so I’m going to keep it that way until the day I can’t play anymore. I want to play as long as I can and do the best that I can.”

Projection: First round

4. Anton Harrison, Oklahoma

6-5, 315

The lowdown: Two-year starter at left tackle for the Sooners. … Has ideal size to play left tackle in the NFL, but lacks athleticism. … Instinctive run blocker, but could struggle with speed rushers at the next level. … Struggles to recover after he’s been beaten. … Sat out the Cheez-It Bowl to prepare for the draft.

Harrison says: “I started football a little late, so I was slow really getting into it. But just playing more, really starting to love the game more and more. Everything I do now is football. Every day, I’m watching it, playing it, doing something with football. So the dream just got bigger and bigger, and I’m really just chasing the goal.”

Projection: First or second round

5. Dawand Jones, Ohio State

6-8, 375

The lowdown: Massive man with limited athleticism. … Projects to right tackle only. … Huge arms (36 3/8”) and big hands (11 5/8”) can overwhelm rushers. … Struggles with move blocks in the run game. … Has had too many penalties the last two seasons.

Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline on Jones: “Dawand Jones is falling down draft boards. Dawand Jones had a decent, not spectacular career at Ohio State. He had one phenomenal day of practice at the Senior Bowl, but then he packed it in. Didn’t practice the next two days. Didn’t play in the game. Went to the Combine, ran the forty, did position drills.”

Projection: Second round

BEST OF THE REST

6. Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland, 6-6, 298; 7. Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse, 6-5, 323; 8. Darnell Wright, Tennessee, 6-5, 342; 9. Blake Freeland, BYU, 6-8, 312; 10. Nick Salvideri, Old Dominion, 6-6, 311.

OFFENSIVE GUARD RANKINGS

1. O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida

6-5, 337

The lowdown: Spent three years at Louisiana before following coach Billy Napier to Florida. … First-team all-SEC and all-American in 2022. … Finished his career without giving up a sack. … Extremely broad man across the chest and waist. … Ranked first among guards in productivity at the NFL Combine according to Next Gen Stats, but just 16^th in athleticism. … Did not have a penalty in 2022. … Limited foot quickness could lead to issues against speedy interior rushers.

Torrence says: “ I’m the most dominant interior offensive lineman in the draft, and I feel like any team that gets me will get a Day One starter and someone who is ready to play. Somebody who is going to take it like a pro and give it all you got.”

Projection: First round

2. Steve Avila, TCU

6-3, 331

The lowdown: Played center, right tackle, right guard and left guard for the Horned Frogs. … Didn’t allow a sack in 515 pass blocking snaps during the 2022 season. … Light enough on his feet to handle pass blocking duties and outside runs. … Struggles to sustain blocks due to inconsistent hand work. … Likely to start from Day 1 at either guard or center.

Avila says: “I feel like every team loves versatility and that’s just what I wanted to showcase. I want to show that I can do it all so teams know they can rely on me in different situations. So hopefully that’s what I bring to the table and hopefully that’s what teams will value from me.”

Projection: Second round

3. Cody Mauch, North Dakota State

6-5, 305

The lowdown: Began career as a walk-on tight end, then added 80 pounds during his time at NDSU. … Started final 30 games of his career at left tackle, earning first-team all-American honors in 2022 and second-team all-American honors in 2021. … Lost his two front teeth during a junior high basketball game and never had them replaced. … Nasty, rugged player who can punish foes in the ruin game. … Inconsistent footwork and short arms (32 3/8”) mean he’ll likely move to guard.

Mauch, on what he hopes to prove at the next level: “I think the biggest thing is just that I can actually play ball. To me, football’s football, whatever level you’re at. If you can play, you can play, and honestly, (I’m) just going to prove that that, not only I belong, but that football is football, really. Anyone can do it from any level.”

Projection: Second round

4. Braeden Daniels, Utah

6-4 ¾, 305

The lowdown: Played left tackle, left guard and right tackle during his time with the Utes. … Allowed just five sacks in 1,400 career pass blocking snaps at Utah. … Terrific quickness makes him an ideal fit for zone blocking schemes. … Smart player with terrific instincts. … Ran the 40-yard dash in speedy 4.99 seconds. … Teams might ask him to bulk up.

Daniels, on where teams say he’ll play in the NFL: “I’ve heard feedback all over the board. Some coaches have told me that I’d be a good problem to have. They can plug me in anywhere, whether it’s guard, tackle or center. Being able to play all five positions will help my NFL team. I want to help however I can. I take a lot of pride in that.”

Projection: Third round

5. Nick Broeker, Mississippi

6-4, 305

The lowdown: Began collegiate career at tackle, then moved to guard in 2022. … Did not allow a sack in 435 pass blocking snaps in 2022. … Limited athlete with impressive strength. … Outstanding hands and fantastic work ethic. … Ability to finish blocks jumps off the film. … Below average length and short arms (32 ½”). … Lack of athleticism makes him a liability as a move blocker.

Broeker says: “(NFL teams) really like the transition for me — going from tackle to guard, but still having that tackle background. A lot of versatility, a lot of intelligence. So far, it’s been positive feedback. Now it’s just kind of up in the air at this point. I’ve done everything now (and) put my best foot forward.”

Projection: Third round

BEST OF THE REST

6. Warren McClendon, Georgia, 6-4, 290; 7. Andrew Vorhees, USC, 6-6, 325; 8. Jordan McFadden, Clemson, 6-2, 295; 9. Emil Ekiyor, Alabama, 6-2, 317; 10. Anthony Bradford, LSU, 6-5, 345.

CENTER RANKINGS

1. Luke Wypler, Ohio State

6-3, 300

The lowdown: Two-year starter at OSU won’t turn 22 until May. … Undersized, but terrific athlete with outstanding quickness. … Finished second in athleticism and third in productivity among centers at the NFL Combine according to Next Gen Stats. … Has the necessary acceleration to reach his zone targets. … Lack of size could lead to struggles against bull rushers. … Outstanding technician, but has had problems with snapping the ball at the proper time.

Wypler says: “I played against some of the best competition that college football has to offer, and for me, I excelled and played well. So for me, it made sense for the next step.”

Projection: First round

2. Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin

6-6, 313

The lowdown: Two-year starter for the Badgers who earned honorable-mention all-conference honors in 2021 and 2022. … Extremely tall for the center position, but has flexible lower body and plenty of bend. … High football I.Q. and an outstanding communicator. … Fluid blocker when on the move. … Balance and body control are average, at best.

Tippmann says: “I’ve always considered myself more of an athletic guy, kind of being able to get into space and open up and really hit those linebackers full speed is what I like to be able to do.”

Projection: Second round

3. John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota

6-3, 306

The lowdown: Stayed six years at Minnesota and is already 24. … Consistent player best suited for zone scheme. … High football I.Q. and makes all the calls up front. … Mediocre athlete who ran the 40-yard dash in sluggish 5.35 seconds. … Short arms (32 5/8”) and often overextends in his pass setting slides.

Schmitz on his top qualities: “I’d say my toughness and the way I finish. It’s like no one else. The way I play, I don’t take a play off and I’m going to finish every play. And my leadership, how I’m able to lead a group of guys and get them playing the way they do at a high level.”

Projection: Third round

4. Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas

6-3, 306

The lowdown: Played both guard spots and center during his time with the Razorbacks. … Received the 2022 Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the conference’s top offensive lineman his senior year. … Athleticism ranked No. 1 and productivity No. 4 among all centers at the NFL Combine according to Next Gen Stats. … Gritty player with terrific instincts and also makes all the calls. … Doesn’t have the build many teams want from their centers.

Stromberg says: “When I moved to center and I started like figuring it out, I started learning how to ID defenses and all that stuff. So I think it was a natural fit. I think it fits perfectly.”

Projection: Third round

5. Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame

6-5, 306

The lowdown: Mediocre athlete who’s above average in the run game. … Extremely short arms (31 3/8”) could be a major problem at the next level. … Locks on to defenders and is tough to disengage from.

Patterson says: “My whole thing has been talking about my versatility and being able to play all three interior spots. That has been my biggest selling point. I don’t care where I’m at. Get me somewhere inside and I’ll play to the best of my ability.”

Projection: Fourth round

BEST OF THE REST

6. Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan, 6-3, 309; 7. Jake Andrews, Troy, 6-3, 305; 8. Trevor Downing, Iowa State, 6-3, 296; 9. Juice Scruggs, Penn State, 6-3, 300; 10. Alex Forsyth, Oregon, 6-4, 303.