Yesterday I took a look at the WRs down at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama for the annual all-star festivities. Today, it’s time to look at the offensive line prospects. They hand their hands full with an otherworldly defensive line group in a series of drills that, truthfully speaking, are more slanted towards the defenders. Nonetheless, let’s take a look at the biggest takeaways from the week.
Biggest Winners
Cole Strange, Chattanooga
If you knew who Cole Strange was going into Mobile, I have to commend you, because I had no clue who he was. However, in a center class at the Senior Bowl that was begging for more talent, Strange was among the best there, not only on the interior but perhaps out of everyone. What I liked the most about Strange is how much of a competitor he was. Would he lose the occasional rep? Yes. However, if he lost a rep, when they ran him up against that matchup a second time, he would be dominant. He showed the ability to play at both guard spots and at center, which will set him apart from other prospects that can play one but not the other. I’m going to have to find Chattanooga film, aren’t I?
Luke Fortner, Kentucky
Fortner was starting to garner some buzz heading into the Senior Bowl, but I hadn’t focused any attention to him. Fortunately for Fortner, he got off to a strong start on day 1 of practice, holding his own in both one-on-ones and in the scrimmages. He didn’t quite keep that same momentum on the following two days, but he still could be considered in the top half of the offensive linemen competing this week. Fortner’s still learning how to play on the interior, as he moved inside after initially committing to Kentucky as an offensive tackle. He’s naturally going to struggle with his leverage given that he’s 6’6, but he’s going to be a value come Day 3 of the draft at this point.
Max Mitchell, Louisiana-Lafayette
You’d be forgiven if you weren’t overly familiar with ULL offensive tackle Max Mitchell. He’s been hiding in plain sight in the Sun Belt as the conference’s best offensive lineman. He performed well in Mobile, too! He, like everyone in the 1-on-1s, got beat on occasion. However, of the players lumped in the “second-tier” of the offensive tackle class that were competing in this week’s game, it’s apparent that he was the best of the bunch.
Other Takeaways:
– Zion Johnson of Boston College was my highest-graded offensive lineman in Mobile this week. He did nothing to change that. He’s got film in his time at BC at both guard and tackle, but this week he showed that he can play at center if need be. That versatility is his calling card.
– Darian Kinnard of Kentucky had a rough week. His lack of overall length showed in the practices as did his balance issues. Too often, Kinnard was leaning forward with his eyes over his toes, allowing for the DL group to capitalize and counter. He’s not as pro-ready as some once thought and now this week is starting to confirm what many had pondered- Kinnard is best suited at guard.
– Get me Trevor Penning on my football team! Do I think he’s exactly pro-ready? No, not really. Do I understand how he’s getting first-round hype? Again, no. However, I can’t remember the last time I was this excited watching a player in one on ones in Mobile. Penning treats every rep like a barroom brawl and I love it. He and Ohio State EDGE Tyreke Smith were going at it all week and you had to wonder how close to a fight these two got. Simply put, Penning hates people. If a team can get him to avoid being overaggressive and keep him from throwing the matchup into his own QB, there might be something there. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah noted on Saturday’s broadcast that Penning watches horror movies the night before games to “get in the right mindset”, and a sentence has never made more sense. Penning is what John Wick would be like if he were 6’7 and played football.
– Central Michigan’s Bernhard Raimann is an enigma. He had the chance to back up the round one hype he had been garnering and unfortunately, we left this week with more questions than answers. Simply put, Raimann is not ready to see an NFL field in year one. In most cases, that would be fine. Unfortunately for the Austrian-born big man, he’s going to be 25 in September. Teams are likely going to debate how much room he still has left to develop.