Although offensive linemen don't receive a lot of the credit for their team's success, they are coveted early in the draft. An average of seven offensive linemen have been selected in the first round over the last two years, and this year won't be any different. Here are the top 15 offensive linemen available in the 2015 NFL Draft.
15. Jeremiah Poutasi (OT-Utah)
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15. Jeremiah Poutasi (OT-Utah)
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Like many of this year's offensive tackle prospects, Utah's Jeremiah Poutasi may move inside to guard at the next level. He's not ready to start right away, but with some development he could become a solid interior lineman. He played much better in 2014 than 2013, and it's that improvement that teams will be hoping to see continue into his first season in the NFL. Poutasi could have used another year in college, but he still has a Round 3 grade.
14. Tre' Jackson (G-Florida State)
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14. Tre' Jackson (G-Florida State)
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Whereas Jeremiah Poutasi improved his stock in 2014, Tre' Jackson's stock took a hit. The right guard allowed defenders to create pressure on QB Jameis Winston at a very high rate. He played better down the stretch when Cameron Erving moved next to him at center, but Jackson still played much better in his junior season. He's a much better run-blocker, but he'll need to improve in the passing game in order to start in the NFL.
13. Arie Kouandjio (G-Alabama)
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13. Arie Kouandjio (G-Alabama)
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Although he won't be drafted as high as his brother Cyrus (No. 44 overall to the Buffalo Bills), Arie Kouandjio should be a Day 2 pick. He's very good in the run game and has been vital to the success of T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry. In the passing game, Kouandjio struggles when the defender isn't lined up over top of him. If he needs to pull or block a stunt, he struggles to make the right decision.
12. Laken Tomlinson (G-Duke)
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12. Laken Tomlinson (G-Duke)
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The downside with Laken Tomlinson is the same as Kouandjio: He struggles when moved off his spot. This lack of range is why he's expected to be drafted in Round 3 rather than Round 1 or 2. A 52-game starter at Duke, he's been the Blue Devils' most reliable lineman. He rarely allows a quarterback pressure and gave QB Anthony Boone plenty of room to move up in the pocket. A great week at the Senior Bowl elevated him to the No. 2 ranked guard.
11. Jake Fisher (OT-Oregon)
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11. Jake Fisher (OT-Oregon)
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Jake Fisher moved from right tackle to left tackle after a season-ending injury to Tyler Johnstone. He's likely to return to the right side in the NFL, but his versatility will increase his stock. When Fisher missed two games due to injury, Oregon allowed 12 sacks. In his return, the team allowed zero. He's not overpowering, but his long arms keep defenders at bay. He's the No. 8 tackle on the board and should be a Round 3 pick.
10. Daryl Williams (OT-Oklahoma)
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10. Daryl Williams (OT-Oklahoma)
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While Fisher relies on agility over power, Daryl Williams is the complete opposite. As Oklahoma's right tackle, Williams wants to pancake a defender on every play. He has trouble against blitzes and speed rushers, so the right side is where he'll stay. He's better off with a team that relies heavily on the ground game and quick passes. He has a slightly better grade than teammate Tyrus Thompson and could be an option at the end of Round 2.
9. Ty Sambrailo (OT-Colorado State)
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9. Ty Sambrailo (OT-Colorado State)
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The highest-rated among the second-tier of offensive tackles in this class is Ty Sambrailo. Before the Las Vegas Bowl, some believed he could be a surprise first-round pick. After struggling against Utah, he's now correctly graded as a Round 2 pick. He still could develop into a left tackle, but for now, he should only be considered a RT. Still, he did an excellent job protecting QB Garrett Grayson's blindside and should be a top-50 pick.
8. Reese Dismukes (C-Auburn)
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8. Reese Dismukes (C-Auburn)
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Based on the value of the position, Reese Dismukes will likely slide further than he should on draft day. His draft stock was hurt even more when Florida State moved Cameron Erving to center. Now the No. 2 center on the board, Dismukes likely becomes a late Round 2 pick. He's also likely to be limited to a zone blocking scheme, as he really struggled in one-on-one blocking drills at the Senior Bowl.
7. Cameron Erving (C-Florida State)
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7. Cameron Erving (C-Florida State)
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Cameron Erving went from struggling against Clemson's Vic Beasley at left tackle to being the No. 1 ranked center in a matter of weeks. His ability to play anywhere on the line could catapult his stock much like Zack Martin last year. Erving may not be the No. 16 overall pick, but he does have a shot at being a first-rounder. With only three years of offensive line experience, Erving's ceiling is the highest among interior linemen.
6. A.J. Cann (G-South Carolina)
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6. A.J. Cann (G-South Carolina)
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The best guard in this class is A.J. Cann. A four-year starter, he's a been a huge part of South Carolina's successful running game. While he gets a good jump off the line, he's not someone who can pull or block on the second level. His ability to drive defenders downfield is his best asset. He has a Round 2 grade, but could be a surprise first-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs if Andy Reid continues to ignore the WR position.
5. T.J. Clemmings (OT-Pittsburgh)
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5. T.J. Clemmings (OT-Pittsburgh)
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The top five linemen available are unsurprisingly all offensive tackles. T.J. Clemmings comes in at No. 5 and is the most inexperienced of the group. With only two years of OT experience, he's very raw. However, he has shown flashes of being an elite tackle at the next level. He's built like a LT, but will likely begin his career as a RT to gain experience. His stock should continue to rise this postseason and he could be a top-15 pick.
4. Ereck Flowers (OT-Miami)
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4. Ereck Flowers (OT-Miami)
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Ereck Flowers can be a starting left tackle in Week 1. As a run-blocker, his technique is where it needs to be. It's the passing game he needs to clean up. He's very athletic, but has issues against the speed rush. He could clean up his footwork a little, but the biggest issue is he simply grabs and illegally holds the defender too early. Once the technique is cleaned up the confidence to stay with his block, rather than hold, should improve.
3. Andrus Peat (OT-Stanford)
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3. Andrus Peat (OT-Stanford)
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Andrus Peat left analysts guessing for a while, but he finally declared for the NFL Draft about a week before the deadline. At 6-foot-7 with a great initial burst, Peat smothers defenders in the run game. In the passing game, he tends to jump out to the left way too early. This gives defenders an easy inside path to the QB. Someone with his agility doesn't need to do this, but it should be an easy fix. He could be a top-10 pick in the draft.
2. La'el Collins (OT-LSU)
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2. La'el Collins (OT-LSU)
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La'el Collins is one of the more underrated tackles in this draft. Some evaluators see him as a guard, but to me he's clearly a tackle. Only Andrus Peat has a combination of length and power anywhere close to that of Collins. In the bowl game against Notre Dame, he showed excellent agility and was constantly downfield making key blocks. He also possesses the mean streak many teams love in a left tackle. I have him mocked to the Raiders at No. 4.
1. Brandon Scherff (OT-Iowa)
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1. Brandon Scherff (OT-Iowa)
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Another tackle who some believe to be a better fit at guard is Brandon Scherff. While he probably would be a better guard than tackle, he's certainly capable of playing on the outside. He's the best run-blocker in the draft, and he's been efficient when Iowa's actually thrown the ball. Which position he starts his career at will depend on the team that drafts him, but Brandon Scherff has the makings of a Pro Bowl offensive lineman.
Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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