2010 Day 1 OL Prospects

[mayoclinic]

A lot of people on this board feel that we should invest a day 1 pick on the offensive line - either an OT to go along with Vollmer given that Light's days seem numbered, or an interior lineman given that both Mankins and Neal are FAs after this season.

At this point, with the college season well under way, 4 guys stand out to me as potential candidates (in alphabetical order):

1. Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa (Junior). 6'6", 315#. Possible top 10 pick, but still a bit raw, and missed some time due to a thyroid condition (not considered permanent), so he could fall a bit. Probably won't be around, but definitely worth a #1.

2. Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland (Junior). 6'6", 310#. Phenomenal athlete who will probably be a workout warrior at the combine. Has been dominant this season, and totally shut down Ricky Sapp against Clemson. Could go top 15, but could possibly slip to the end of the 1st/early 2nd round.

3. Jason Fox, OT, Miami (Senior). 6'7", 315#. Has been an excellent pass protector this season. Probably a 2nd round choice, but could go late 1st.

4. Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho (Senior). 6'6", 330#. A bigger, stronger Logan Mankins. Has been dominant, but the level of competition may cause him to slip a bit. Could be a 1st round pick, but could last to the 2nd round.

I'm not terribly impressed so far this year with Trent Williams (looks like an RT to me), Russell Okung, Selvish Capers (too light), Charles Brown (too light), Ciron Black (looks like an RT to me), Sam Young (just not that good), Adam Ulatowski (just not that good) or Rodney Hudson (too light). But I'd be stoked to get any of those 4 guys as things currently stand.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

A lot of people on this board feel that we should invest a day 1 pick on the offensive line - either an OT to go along with Vollmer given that Light's days seem numbered, or an interior lineman given that both Mankins and Neal are FAs after this season.

At this point, with the college season well under way, 4 guys stand out to me as potential candidates (in alphabetical order):

1. Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa (Junior). 6'6", 315#. Possible top 10 pick, but still a bit raw, and missed some time due to a thyroid condition (not considered permanent), so he could fall a bit. Probably won't be around, but definitely worth a #1.

2. Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland (Junior). 6'6", 310#. Phenomenal athlete who will probably be a workout warrior at the combine. Has been dominant this season, and totally shut down Ricky Sapp against Clemson. Could go top 15, but could possibly slip to the end of the 1st/early 2nd round.

3. Jason Fox, OT, Miami (Senior). 6'7", 315#. Has been an excellent pass protector this season. Probably a 2nd round choice, but could go late 1st.

4. Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho (Senior). 6'6", 330#. A bigger, stronger Logan Mankins. Has been dominant, but the level of competition may cause him to slip a bit. Could be a 1st round pick, but could last to the 2nd round.

I'm not terribly impressed so far this year with Trent Williams (looks like an RT to me), Russell Okung, Selvish Capers (too light), Charles Brown (too light), Ciron Black (looks like an RT to me), Sam Young (just not that good), Adam Ulatowski (just not that good) or Rodney Hudson (too light). But I'd be stoked to get any of those 4 guys as things currently stand.

And 4.8 40 Nate Solder in 2011?

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

And 4.8 40 Nate Solder in 2011?

Do you have more info on him?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Do you have more info on him?

Not much, but here's some to get you started:

Nate Solder Biography - CUBuffs.com—Official Athletics Web site of the University of Colorado
Buffs' Solder: 6-feet-9, 305 ... and counting - The Denver Post

One definite negative: he doesn't seem to have much ugly beard potential.

 

[mayoclinic]

And 4.8 40 Nate Solder in 2011?

We're going to have a lot of options in 2011. Who knows?

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Realistically Buluga, Okung and Campbell will be off the board early.

Although if scouts project Buluga based on how Gallery has performed, it could cause Buluga to slip some.

I still like Sam Young and Adam Ulatoski. Projecting them in our zone blocking scheme, you can see how their massive size and long wing span can help them with the speed rushers. A litttle work with Dante and they could be decent.

I do think BB draft another OL on day 1.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I will say this about Fox. He is very good in pass protection and in practice every day he has gone up against some monster pass rushers.

I worry about his run blocking, or lack thereof. He has no flatback and gets very little movement at the snap. Is this something Dante could fix? If so Fox would be perfect for our system.

 

[mayoclinic]

Realistically Buluga, Okung and Campbell will be off the board early.

Although if scouts project Buluga based on how Gallery has performed, it could cause Buluga to slip some.

I still like Sam Young and Adam Ulatoski. Projecting them in our zone blocking scheme, you can see how their massive size and long wing span can help them with the speed rushers. A litttle work with Dante and they could be decent.

I do think BB draft another OL on day 1.

Campbell's had injury problems this year - foot, and know a knee injury against Clemson (possible MCL). Those could cause him to slip.

I'd like to get a better look at Iupati.