Cole’s Corner: 2022 Interior Offensive Line Prospect Rankings

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17. Justin Shaffer – Georgia

Shaffer is a large mauler at offensive guard who fits best in the power run game. He holds a strong anchor and could play at either guard spot. His weakness is his lack of athleticism and not being able to change directions quickly in pass protection. He will serve as depth early on for a predominantly running team.

Player Comparison: Will Hernandez

Projection: 4^th – 6^th Round

Best Fits: Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco, Tennessee (Wild Card – New England)

16. Dohnovan West – Arizona State

West fits best as a center with the ability to also be a backup guard. He is fairly agile and plays with excellent control. West could afford to put some more weight on his frame. Improving on his hand placement when locking up a rusher could also do him wonders. West might not pop off the screen, but he will be valuable on a roster due to the versatility.

Player Comparison: Cesar Ruiz

Projection: 4^th – 6^th Round

Best Fits: Baltimore, Jacksonville, Chicago (Wild Card – Washington) 

15. Tyrese Robinson – Oklahoma

Robinson is a versatile guard who can play left guard or right guard. He is not super tall for a lineman but is sturdy and compact. He is pretty tough and can be effective moving bodies on runs up the middle. I view him best as a pass protector though and fitting with a pass heavy scheme. Robinson can occasionally get caught off balance if he is on his heels too much or leaning too far forward.

Player Comparison: Wyatt Davis

Projection: 4^th – 6^th Round

Best Fits: Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, Green Bay (Wild Card – Buffalo) 

14. Spencer Burford – UTSA           

Burford will fit best at either left guard or even left tackle. He is fairly long but currently only weighs 295 pounds. His length and quickness greatly assist him against speedy edge rushers. He is still working on becoming more consistent with his play and also has some balance issues. If he adds more weight to his frame, then that might also fix some of his issues. Teams will like that he can play anywhere on the left side of the line.

Player Comparison: Blake Hance

Projection: 4^th – 6^th Round

Best Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay, New England (Wild Card – Tennessee) 

13. Alec Lindstrom – Boston College

Lindstrom best translates to the NFL as a center. Despite being just under 300 pounds, he has a large frame but some modest length. Lindstrom is not an overwhelming talent, yet he is technically sound, gets to the second level well and is a nice run blocker. He does not have much versatile and will likely only be a center.

Player Comparison: Alex Mack

Projection: 3^rd – 5^th Round

Best Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore, Chicago (Wild Card – Philadelphia)

12. Thayer Munford – Ohio State       

Munford hurt his stock this last season at Ohio State, but it might have worked out for the best. Munford was a left tackle who had some discussion surrounding him of the first or second round. When he returned to the Buckeyes, he moved inside to guard. Munford was not as dominant as the season prior due to the adjustment of changing positions. Even though he wasn’t as dominant, he was still good and I believe that move will help him in the NFL. He has some excellent size and just does his job well while also serving as a leader. He needs to be more aggressive, establish himself as a tone setter and not get knocked off his base. If he can improve those aspects, then he could have a successful and long career. He fits best inside at left guard in a pass heavy scheme because pass protection is his strength. He still has the versatility to kick out if needed.

Player Comparison: Trey Smith

Projection: 3^rd – 5^th Round

Best Fits: Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Green Bay (Wild Card – Chicago) 

11. Darian Kinnard – Kentucky

Kinnard was a right tackle in college but he lacks the speed necessary to play outside. He will translate best to right guard in the league. He has tons of power as a run blocker and operates best in tight alignments. He still needs work in pass protection and it will take some time to develop inside.

Player Comparison: Halapoulivaati Vaitai

Projection: 2^nd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: Atlanta, Jacksonville, New England (Wild Card – Philadelphia)

10. Dylan Parham – Memphis

Parham is highly regarded in this class due to his athleticism. I am a bit more hesitant because he plays smaller than what his measurables say. He is very athletic and moves extremely well for a guard. He needs to keep gaining strength because larger linemen drive him back with bull rushes. He will fit best with a high pass volume team and might even be best at center instead of right guard. There is a ton of potential but not a near finished product yet.

Player Comparison: Billy Price

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: Jacksonville, Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia (Wild Card – Baltimore)

9. Cole Strange – Chattanooga

Strange comes to the NFL with lots of playing experience in college. He is a run blocking guard with a nasty demeanor, pop when he lays into a defender and his motor is always running hot. Strange is also quite adequate in pass protection as well with a strong anchor. He also boasts some solid awareness. The only downside to the aggressiveness is sometimes over committing and missing blocks in the open field.

Player Comparison: Wyatt Teller

Projection: 2^nd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: San Francisco, Atlanta, Tennessee (Wild Card – Pittsburgh)

8. Sean Rhyan – UCLA     

Rhyan was a tackle at UCLA but I expect that he will permanently a guard in the NFL. The big man rumbles down to the second level, locks up defenders well and moves them with ease. His strong frame and powerful hands make him an excellent run blocker. There will be some growing pains with changing positions, but I expect Rhyan will settle pretty quick.

Player Comparison: Ali Marpet

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: San Francisco, Los Angeles Rams, Washington (Wild Card – Dallas)

7. Lecitus Smith – Virginia Tech

Smith is the most underrated prospect in this class. The left guard at Virginia Tech was actually a former tight end who still has excellent athleticism. At 320 pounds now and most of Smith’s power coming from his legs, he doesn’t ever get top heavy. Coupled with the athleticism is an aggressive and nasty demeanor. He is still gaining experience and developing and only has modest length. Smith is not capped out though and has tons of room for growth.

Player Comparison: Laken Tomlinson

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: Carolina, Seattle, Jacksonville (Wild Card – Baltimore)

6. Ed Ingram – LSU           

Ingram is a guard that can play on either side. He is another solid run blocker and is fantastic operating as a pulling guard getting to the second level. Ingram also picks up blitzes and stunts with ease. He will be an immediate starter but needs some minor adjustments with hand placement in order to fully excel.

Player Comparison: Jon Feliciano

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: San Francisco, Philadelphia, Los Angeles Rams (Wild Card – Chicago)

5. Jamaree Salyer – Georgia

Salyer is a versatile prospect because he has played many spots on the line. He was last at left tackle for Georgia but will translate best to left guard. He is one of the most dominant in the class at clearing room for the run. He is also sufficient in pass protection with decent length. Salyer does not have glaring weaknesses aside from the transition period coming up while moving inside.

Player Comparison: Jackson Carman

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: New England, Philadelphia, San Francisco (Wild Card – Los Angeles Rams)

4. Tyler Smith – Tulsa      

Smith was built to be an offensive guard even though he played left tackle in college. He is a mauler and his film is filled with lots of pancakes. He has a bunch of explosiveness to couple with the nice size. Smith just needs some more work on technique with his hands and his feet. His film reminds me of a recent prospect, but I do believe he has a high ceiling.

Player Comparison: Solomon Kindley

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: Washington, Chicago, Baltimore (Wild Card – Seattle)

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