Cole’s Corner: 2021 Offensive Tackle Prospect Rankings

Draft content at Kee On Sports is brought to you by the following sponsors – https://keeonsports.com/sponsors/2/

A Super Bowl will always change how contracts and the draft work several months later. That is because any situation becomes an extreme. This year the Chiefs were the best team and should have won the Super Bowl. Instead, Mahomes was pressured constantly due to a lack of depth at offensive tackle and the Buccaneers dominated.

Now teams around the league are not only thinking star LT or RT, the focus will likely shift to the importance of depth and versatility on the O-line. What prospects might catch the attention of scouts and GMs this year?

Here are my top Offensive Tackle prospects:

1. Penei Sewell – Oregon

Sewell is the best lineman in this draft and many teams will covet the chance of snatching him. The left tackle is listed at 6’5” and 325 pounds and is an elite run blocker barreling downhill. Sewell is simply a mauler and could also slide inside to left guard and see similar if not more success. His only downfall could be blocking a speedy edge rusher 1v1 on the outside. Whichever team lands him has an automatic starter.

Pick Range: Top 10

2. Rashawn Slater – Northwestern

Slater is better than Sewell 1v1 with speedy edge rusher. He can simply erase them from the entire game and proved that against Chase Young in 2019. He is okay as a run blocker but a west coast offense will fit his skillset best. If Slater lands in a run heavy offense, he will likely fail. The appropriate team will result in a fantastic start to his career.

Pick Range: Top 15

3. Christian Darrisaw – Virginia Tech

Darrisaw has the ideal size and length to work at either LT or RT. His mobility and athletic ability puts him in a great position to succeed. His downfall is that he often times gets too straight up. He needs some work at creating power at the point of attack. Darrisaw will be an immediate starter but on which side of the line, I’m not sure. Most likely left though.

Pick Range: Top 20

4. Jalen Mayfield – Michigan

Mayfield is best as a RT and if a team wants to maximize his potential, then they should draft him with the intent of playing him there. He is an all-around prospect with fantastic physical tools. His only issue could be youth at 20 years old.

Pick Range: Late 1^st – Mid 2^nd Round

5. Alex Leatherwood – Alabama

Leatherwood impressed me with his ability to quickly get to the second level. He is a fairly disciplined left tackle in pass protection which will help against the best edge rushers in the NFL. His downfall could be his lack of lateral mobility if a defender quickly shifts directions. If Leatherwood fails at tackle, he could easily shift to the inside which makes him quite versatile.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

6. Samuel Cosmi – Texas       

Cosmi is a RT with the ability to shift to LT. He is known for his powerful first step impact and pure strength. Cosmi is best in pass protection and had plenty of experience in college. At 6’7” and 300 pounds, NFL teams might try to put a bit more weight on his frame.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

7. Jackson Carman – Clemson

Carman is a monster and a huge presence. He was a five star prospect coming out of high school and perhaps didn’t fully live up to the expectation but still kept Trevor Lawrence upright. Carman’s huge stature might convert well to guard, yet a shot at left tackle is still not out of the question. Carman is a freight train coming at you on a run play. His flaw is a lack of speed.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

8. Liam Eichenberg – Notre Dame

The Saint Ignatius product could either start at LT or serve as a plug-and-play lineman on a team dealing with some injuries upfront. Eichenberg had a long, successful career with the Fighting Irish and showed to be fundamentally sound. Get him with a physical, cold weather team and he could very well shine. A west coast offense could be much more difficult.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

9. Dillon Radunz – North Dakota State

Radunz is the nastiest run blocker/mauler in this class. He has an attitude behind every single block and probably scared the entire FCS. If he ends up on a team that loves to run the classic power-I formation, he will look fantastic. Radunz is an average pass blocker and perhaps the step up in competition might take some adjustment time.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

10. Teven Jenkins – Oklahoma State

Jenkins could play RT or RG at the next level but he might be a development. His air-raid experience in college is a positive for the NFL in this era of pass heavy teams. He needs work in general with technique and lacks athleticism. Someone could take a chance early or he might slip a bit.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 4^th Round

11. James Hudson – Cincinnati

Hudson is my favorite project of this group. He moved from defensive line to left tackle at UC and performed well. Making that switch alone proves his athleticism and his ability to play anywhere. With being new to the position, Hudson still has plenty of learning to do and there aren’t any set bad habits to break yet. NFL coaches could take his high potential and mold him like clay into something great. Initially, he will be fantastic depth.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 4^th Round

12. Walker Little – Stanford

Little is a tall 6’7” tackle with a more slender frame. He is quite fluid in pass protection and would serve as a quality backup right away. There is room for growth if his knee holds up.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

13. Robert Hainsey – Notre Dame

Hainsey is 100 percent a right tackle made for a heavy rushing offense. He is an experienced tackle in this group and will add valuable depth. Hainsey can be a bit top-heavy and needs to work on gaining power.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

14. Brady Christensen – BYU

Christensen has the IQ to be a fantastic lineman… that is without the athletic limitations. He will likely struggle against athletic rushers. He will most likely spend his career as a backup with the ability to play four of the five o-line spots. This could be great mid round value for a team needing depth.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

15. Spencer Brown – Northern Iowa

Brown’s long legs first caught my attention when watching film. He is nearly 6’9” which allows him to move downfield faster than any other lineman. Brown has some nastiness which could make for some interesting highlights. Brown probably wouldn’t fare well anywhere else besides right tackle but with some more reps, he could be an eventual starter and the steal of this draft.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

16. Alaric Jackson – Iowa                                 

Jackson’s play at the Senior Bowl lifted his stock. Even though others might not believe he should be this high, teams will stick with players they saw play in person after this crazy last year. Iowa usually has some good linemen, so don’t count him out.

Pick Range: 4^th – 6^th Round

17. Cole Van Lanen – Wisconsin

Van Lanen is tough off the snap and his power is overwhelming. You cannot sleep on a Wisconsin lineman. This is value in the later stages of the draft.

Pick Range: 4^th – 6^th Round