After all the tape study, the combine measurements/workouts, and re-watching of tape, there has been slight movement in the post combine offensive guard / center.
Jayson Braddock and Dory LeBlanc used extensive criteria that included (but was not limited to) pass blocking, run blocking, pulling/trapping, initial quickness, down field quickness, physical makeup, and physicality into determining how those attributes translate to the NFL.
The ten-best prospects at the C/G (combined) position are:
1. David DeCastro – G – Stanford, rJr., 6’5” 316 Lbs. – Simply the best offensive guard prospect in years. Wouldn’t surprise us to see teams with needs at right tackle and guard, select DeCastro over the 3rd best tackle prospect (Riley Reiff in our rankings) EVEN
2. Peter Konz – C – Wisconsin, rJr., 6’5” 314 Lbs. – Teams could look to plug Konz in immediately. He understands assignments and rarely makes mistakes. EVEN
3. Kevin Zeitler – G – Wisconsin, Sr., 6’4” 314 Lbs. – There’s something to be said about Wisconsin offensive linemen. The Badgers are normally groomed to be highly successful at the next level. It’s not only preparation for Konz and Zeitler, it’s also talent. +1
4. Amini Silatolu – G – Midwestern State, Sr., 6’4” 311 Lbs. – It was tough not to list Amini higher on this list. We love his mean streak. If you want to watch someone finish blocks, just put on his game film. The reason we didn’t place him higher than 4th, is the level of competition he played. +2
5. Ben Jones – C – Georgia, Sr., 6’2” 302 Lbs. – Jones is a grappler. If he gets his hands on the defender, the battle is over. He can control the protection by getting inside control of the defensive linemen. EVEN
6. Brandon Washington – G – Miami (FL), Jr., 6’3” 320 Lbs. – Washington looked so out of place at left tackle at times, that it may have deducted from his evaluation as a guard prospect. We like Washington as a prospect and think he may exceed our ratings on him. -3
7. Brandon Brooks – G – Miami (OH), rSr., 6’5” 353 Lbs. – Brooks is another one of these big guys that move well. We saw 350 pound men like Dontari Poe and Cordy Glenn impress people at the Combine with his movement skills. Brooks wasn’t allowed that opportunity as he wasn’t invited to Indy. Unlike Poe, Brooks has the film and football talent to go with his impressive agility. +3
8. Philip Blake – C – Baylor, Sr., 6’2” 311 Lbs. – Last year, Baylor sent a Canadian offensive lineman to the NFL, in Danny Watkins. Blake is equally talented and more so than the more publicized Mike Brewster. EVEN
9. Kelechi Osemele – G – Iowa State, rSr., 6’6” 333 Lbs. – Kelechi is another one of these college offensive tackles that had to make the transition over to guard for the NFL. He protects well but doesn’t have the movement skills to play outside. Struggled against quick inside moves. -2
10. Michael Brewster – C – Ohio State, Sr., 6’2” 312 Lbs. – Brewster raised some questions in Indy. While his film was a lot better than his technique, we didn’t feel comfortable with how poorly he moved. After re-watching tape, we were concerned enough with his one on one match ups, to drop him down the list. He may just perform better in-game but there is definitely room for concern. -1
Jayson Braddock is an NFL Scout / NFL Writer & On-Air Personality. Jayson is also a football insider for the Dylan Gwinn show on 790 AM in Houston, TX - Listeners NOT in the Houston metropolitan area can hear Jayson on iheart radio or sports790.com. You can also catch Jayson on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio with Scott Engel and the morning crew every Thursday at 10:30am ET. You may email Jayson directly @ jayson.braddock@rotoexperts.com or follow him on Twitter @JaysonBraddock