http://walterfootball.com/draft2015OG.php
2015 NFL Draft Prospects: Guards
*La'el Collins, G/OT, LSU*
Height: 6-5. Weight: 321.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.40.*
Projected Round (2015): 1-2.*
12/6/14:*Collins has been decent for LSU in 2014 as both a reliable pass-protector and run-blocker. He has some vocal supporters who claim he's a top-10 pick, but some of his critics think he should play guard or right tackle in the NFL.*
In speaking with multiple NFL teams, one says Collins has a second-round grade and views him as a guard. Another feels Collins can be a very good guard who plays right away and possibly develops into a tackle, while a third team feels Collins is a right tackle who could go late first, but more likely in the second round. They all feel he needs to improve his technique. Collins could help himself by performing well at the Senior Bowl.*
LSU destroyed Kentucky while Collins did his part to keep Wildcats defensive end Bud Dupree from recording a sack. Versus Florida and its dangerous edge rushers, including Dante Fowler Jr., Collins had a quality outing. He wasn't beaten for any sacks and opened some running lanes, though he did get away with a few plays on which he should have been called for holding. Collins also merited a face-mask penalty after ripping off Fowler's helmet.*
8/27/14:*Collins played left tackle for the Tigers in 2013 and was extremely impressive. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger was protected extremely well by Collins, and the big lineman did well in run defense. Collins played well against Florida, Georgia, Texas A&M and Iowa. In the ground game, he got a lot of movement and showed the ability to be a plus run blocker as a left tackle. Running back Jeremy Hill had a lot of success running behind him. The SEC coaches made Collins a Second-Team All-SEC selection in his first season at left tackle. He has upside to develop.*
In 2012, Collins started 13 games at left guard and was an honorable mention All-SEC Selection. Collins was an impressive power run-blocker and helped the Tigers' stable of backs move the ball. The senior has some road-grading potential and really improved his pass protection as a junior.*
Personal: Son of Loyetta Collins and David Philips.
*Arie Kouandjio, G, Alabama*
Height: 6-5. Weight: 315.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.31.*
Projected Round (2015): 2-3.*
12/6/14:*Kouandjio has excelled as a run-blocker this season, and Alabama has had success running behind him. His pass blocking has looked improved over 2013, but he still has room to get better in that area of his game for the next level. Kouandjio has the physical skill set to be a quality starter and play quickly in the NFL. He has quickness, athleticism, and strength.*
WalterFootball.com has heard from sources that Florida State's Josue Matias and Kouandjio are grading as the top guards (not including LSU left tackle La'el Collins). Both Matias and Kouandjio have received second-round grades.*
8/27/14:*Kouandjio had some mixed outings in 2013, including the season opener against Virginia Tech. He got better on a weekly basis. Kouandjio had a good game against LSU, but didn't fare as well against Auburn or Oklahoma. The junior was burned for a lot of pass pressures and some sacks against the Sooners in the Sugar Bowl. He has to improve his pass protection and ability to handle speed rushers.*
Kouandjio needs to improve as a senior in 2014, but he has the athletic skill set to be better. Koundjio has dealt with multiple knee surgeries but finally was healthy in 2013. Koundjio should stay at guard going forward rather than moving to tackle.
*Josue Matias, G, Florida State*
Height: 6-6. Weight: 325.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.35.*
Projected Round (2015): 2-3.*
12/6/14:*Matias played better than fellow starting guard Tre Jackson, but Matias did have some disappointing games. Matias has the strength to open holes and some athleticism for pass protection.*
Sources have told WalterFootball.com that Matias and Alabama's Arie Kouandjio are grading as the top guards (not including LSU left tackle La'el Collins). Both Matias and Kouandjio have received second-round grades.*
8/27/14:*In 2013, Matias had his second-straight quality season for the Seminoles. As the starter at left guard, he did a good job of run blocking and was generally reliable as a pass-rusher. The senior should improve on the latter in 2014. Handling speed rushers is his biggest area for improvement. According to the Seminoles, Matias' average grade of 78.5 percent ranked third on the team.*
Matias broke into the starting lineup in 2012. The sophomore started every game and was impressive as a run-blocker. He could stand to improve his pass protection. That season, Matias struggled with Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd. Matias could move up in the rankings during 2014.
*Vadal Alexander*, G, LSU*
Height: 6-6. Weight: 342.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.29.*
Projected Round (2014): 2-3.*
12/6/14:*Alexander had a strong season. He was a powerful run-blocker, yet reliable in pass protection. Alexander had a strong showing against Florida and did well versus Ole Miss. He should return for his senior year.*
8/27/14:*Alexander was a road-grading guard for the Tigers in 2013. He paved the way for Jeremy Hill and also did a good job of protecting quarterback Zach Mettenberger.
Alexander has been an asset as a run-blocker for LSU over the past three seasons. As a freshman in 2012, he started nine games at right tackle before spending his sophomore year at left guard. It will be interesting to see if Alexander moves back to tackle as a junior or senior. He has the length to play on the edge. Alexander has a lot of upside and could rise higher over the next year or two.*
Personal: Son of Rhonda and James Alexander.
*A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina*
Height: 6-4. Weight: 311.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.33.*
Projected Round (2015): 2-3.*
12/6/14:*Cann is a good run-blocker who excels in the phone booth. He struggles in space and can have issues with speedy pass-rushers. Sources have told WalterFootball.com that they grade Cann as a third-rounder and as a poor man's Larry Warford or Gabe Jackson. Cann is a similar blocker to those two, but smaller than both of them, and they were third-round picks.*
8/27/14:*Cann is a powerful run-blocker who opened up a lot of holes for Mike Davis last season. Cann had a number of good games and showed some improvement in his pass protection. He broke into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2011. He has been a mainstay in the lineup since then. Cann is a team captain and should be in position to have another impressive season as South Carolina figures to feature the ground game with Davis.
*Tre Jackson, G, Florida State*
Height: 6-4. Weight: 330.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.33.*
Projected Round (2014): 2-3.*
12/6/14:*Jackson needs to improve his protection for the NFL, and run blocking is clearly his strength. He had a disappointing debut against Oklahoma State. The senior allowed too much pressure in pass blocking, and that trend continued at times during the 2014 season. Sources have said that Jackson has received a third-round grade.*
8/27/14:*Jackson played well for the Seminoles in 2013, although Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald had some success with Florida State's interior linemen. Florida's tackles gave Jackson some problems as well. Overall, Jackson did a good job of protecting Jameis Winston and opening up holes in the ground game. Jackson's run blocking is ahead of his pass protection, and he also needs to improve his ability to handle speed rushers.*
Jackson broke into the starting lineup at right guard in 2012. The true sophomore was a tough run-blocker for the Seminoles. He is a powerful lineman who can move defensive linemen and open up holes in the ground. Jackson has nice agility and movement skills for a big lineman. Florida State has good coaching for the offensive line and has done a nice job of developing him.
*Jarvis Harrison, G, Texas A&M*
Height: 6-4. Weight: 330.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.36.*
Projected Round (2014): 3-4.*
12/6/14:*Harrison has played well for the Aggies. He was solid in pass protection and opened up some holes in the ground game. Harrison had some issues against Mississippi State and Alabama.*
8/27/14:*Harrison is a 3-year starter at guard and has been a steady performer for the Aggies. He is a reliable pass-blocker who can be effective in the ground game. Harrison had his best season as a junior while playing banged up. In the offseason leading to his senior year, he rehabbed after shoulder surgery and worked on a calf injury from the bowl win over Duke. The injuries have held Harrison back in the lead up to the 2014 season, and he is battling for his starting job according to head coach Kevin Sumlin.*
Personal: Son of Ramona Harrison. Agricultural leadership and development major.
*Max Garcia*, G/C, Florida*
Height: 6-4. Weight: 307.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.31.*
Projected Round (2015): 3-4.*
12/6/14:*Garcia has moved to center and played well there for Florida. He blocked well in the ground game and was generally reliable in pass protection. Garcia had quality tapes against Kentucky and Tennessee, but he was unimpressive against Alabama. Garcia was excellent against Georgia. He could be a power center in the NFL.*
8/27/14:*Garcia was up and down for the Gators in 2013. With the rash of injuries that struck Florida's offensive line, he was playing left tackle by the end of the season. Surprisingly, Garcia didn't play poorly on the blind side. He needs to get more consistent and add more strength.*
Garcia started 12 games at Maryland in 2011 before transferring to Florida. He was forced to sit out the 2012 season.
*Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke*
Height: 6-3. Weight: 330.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.18.*
Projected Round (2015): 3-5.*
12/6/14:*Tomlinson wasn't really challenged yet by an elite tackle. However, he has blocked well for Duke. Tomlinson is a strong run-blocker who has to improve his pass protection for the NFL. Sources said that Tomlinson received a grade well into Day 3, but the team that likes him enough to ultimately draft him could end up taking him on Day 2.*
8/27/14:*Tomlinson is a gifted athlete with surprising agility and quickness for a big blocker. He carries his weight well and has some strength to him. Tomlinson has started all 25 games he's played in dating back to his freshman season in 2011. Tomlinson has been a two-time ACC All-Academic selection.*
Tomlinson held his own and was impressive at times against Florida State in the ACC Championship Game. He has excellent recoverability. A defender may have a step or leverage on Tomlinson, but he has the strength and quickness to take it away. Tomlinson could continue to use some refinement, but he has upside and physicality to him.*
Personal: Son of Audrey Wilson. Double major in evolutionary anthropology and psychology. Laken Tomlinson grew up in Jamaica and didn't start playing football until his high school years at Lane Tech in Chicago, Illinois.
*Shaq Mason, G, Georgia Tech*
Height: 6-1. Weight: 311.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.07.*
Projected Round (2014): 3-5.*
12/6/14:*Mason and Georgia Tech have rolled over some weaker opponents. As usual, the Yellow Jackets have one of the best run games in college football. Mason was named the ACC Co-Offensive Lineman of the week for his performance against Miami. The Jackets ran for 318 yards in that game. Mason's best test will come in the ACC Championship against Florida State defensive tackles Eddie Goldman and Mario Edwards Jr.*
8/27/14:*Mason is an agile and athletic blocker who is a good fit in Georgia Tech's option offense. He had a number of impressive games during his junior season, including his performances against Duke and North Carolina. Mason has some pass-blocking skills as well as being a quality run-blocker.*
As a sophomore in 2012, Mason played left guard for the Yellow Jackets. He played right guard as a junior, but could be a better fit at left guard in the NFL. He also looks like a candidate to move to center.*
Personal: Son of Steve Mason and Alicia McGuire. Majoring in business administration.
*Aundrey Walker, G, USC*
Height: 6-6. Weight: 315.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.18.*
Projected Round (2015): 3-5.*
12/6/14:*Walker was slowed in the early going as he continued to work his way back from offseason ankle surgery. Walker has a good athletic skill set and is sleeper lineman who has upside for the NFL. The Trojans' offensive line came together this season and has done a good job of run blocking for tailback Buck Allen.*
8/27/14:*The Trojans moved Walker inside to guard for 2013. That paid off as he was vastly improved there. However, Walker's year ended early with a broken ankle against UCLA. That ankle injury continued to bother him during fall training camp. He has a lot of athletic ability and a skill set to develop.*
Walker had a rough start to the 2012 season as the replacement for Matt Kalil. Walker started the first seven games and showed some improvement, but he didn't finish the season well against UCLA. The sophomore was simply a misfit at left tackle.*
Walker was a top recruit out of Cleveland, Ohio. He is a good athlete, but needs to improve his fundamentals, footwork and get stronger.*
Personal: Majoring in sociology. One of 17 siblings and the youngest of 14 brothers.
*Christian Lombard, G, Notre Dame*
Height: 6-5. Weight: 311.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.26.*
Projected Round (2014): 4-6.*
12/6/14:*Lombard was solid for Notre Dame in 2014. His strength is run blocking, but could be limited physically for the NFL.*
8/27/14:*Lombard broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore in 2012. He helped Notre Dame to the National Championship game with a solid debut. In 2013, Lombard started at right guard before a back injury knocked him out for the final six games. Lombard's strength is run blocking.*
Personal: Son of Greg and Erin Lombard. Business management consulting major.
*Miles Dieffenbach, G, Penn State*
Height: 6-3. Weight: 303.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.19.*
Projected Round (2015): 4-6.*
12/6/14:*Dieffenbach missed a lot of time with injuries, and the Penn State offensive line really struggled in 2014. After coming back to the field, Dieffenbach showed some potential as a run-blocker, but he looks somewhat limited athletically.*
8/27/14:*Dieffenbach had two quality seasons at left guard in 2012 and 2013. However, he will need to improve as a senior while gaining weight to go higher. It would help him to gain 10-20 pounds for the NFL, or he is going to be relegated to a zone-blocking system. Athletically, Dieffenbach looks like a better fit at center.*
Personal: Son of George and Emma Dieffenbach.
*Landon Turner*, G, North Carolina*
Height: 6-4. Weight: 315.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.31.*
Projected Round (2015): 5-7.*
12/6/14:*Turner started the year well, but strained an MCL and missed games against East Carolina and Clemson. He has some athleticism, though he could use more power for the NFL.*
8/27/14:*Turner started 12 games at left guard in 2013 as the replacement for Jonathan Cooper. While there was a drop-off from Cooper, Turner wasn't bad. He has a combination of strength and athleticism. Turner was better as a run-blocker, but his pass protection improved as the year went on. He has upside to rise in these rankings.*
Turner flashed when he saw the field as a redshirt freshman in 2012. After Brennan Williams went out with an injury, Turner started four games. He did a nice job of run blocking for Giovani Bernard.
*John Miller, G, Louisville*
Height: 6-2. Weight: 311.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.31.*
Projected Round (2015): 5-7.*
12/6/14:*Louisville had an easy start to the season during which Miller was a quality blocker. He had some struggles with Florida State lineman Eddie Goldman and Mario Edwards Jr.*
8/27/14:*Miller was a Second-Team all-conference pick last year. He was a quality protector for Teddy Bridgewater and opened holes in the ground game. Miller started at left guard as a sophomore and freshman. It will be interesting to see how he performs in the ACC.*
Personal: Son of Ernestine Miller and Johnnie Green.
*Malcolm Bunche, G, UCLA*
Height: 6-7. Weight: 327.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.40.*
Projected Round (2015): 6-FA.*
12/6/14:*Bunche and the UCLA line have really struggled in 2014. They gave up 10 sacks to Arizona State and Utah; Brett Hundley has been under fire all season. Bunche hasn't impressed for the Bruins.*
8/27/14:*UCLA was fortunate to have Bunche transfer out of Miami and land with the Bruins. After losing Xavier Su'a-Filo to the NFL, UCLA needed a new left guard, and Bunche took the spot after graduating from Miami.*
In 2013, Bunche had some rough moments for Miami against Florida and Florida State, but he also did well in stretches as a run-blocker for Duke Johnson and a pass-protector for Stephen Morris. Bunche has shown some versatility moving around the line, but his best position for the NFL might be guard. Bunche was a platoon player across the line for the Hurricanes. As a sophomore, he was the starter at left tackle.
*Tyler Moore*, G/OT, Florida*
Height: 6-5. Weight: 320.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.31.*
Projected Round (2015): 7-FA.*
12/6/14:*Moore has rotated in at guard and looked better than in 2013, but he still has lot of room to improve. Other players have been more consistent and impressive on Florida's offensive line. Moore should return for his senior year, but he is said to be entering the 2015 NFL Draft.*
8/27/14:*Moore replaced the injured Chaz Green as the starting right tackle in 2013. Moore was banged up and inconsistent for the year himself. He was terrible against Missouri, but bounced back against Georgia when starting at left tackle. Moore ended the season injured. He should play guard and remain there if the Gators' tackles can stay healthy.*
Moore was one of the top offensive linemen in the nation coming out of high school and started out his collegiate career at Nebraska. He started four games as a freshman and played in nine contests. Moore was just the 10th true-freshman offensive lineman to play for Nebraska since 1973. Plus, he was a Freshman All-Big XII selection.*
Moore soured on Nebraska and left after his freshman season. He spent one semester at St. Petersburg Community College before transferring to Florida in January 2012.
*Conor Hanratty, G, Notre Dame*
Height: 6-4. Weight: 310.*
Projected 40 Time: 5.21.*
Projected Round (2014): FA.*
12/6/14:*Hanratty failed to win a starting guard position during fall camp.*
8/27/14:*Hanratty has been mostly a backup during his time at Notre Dame and could become a starter as a senior. As a junior, he had four starts and saw action in six games. When given the opportunity, Hanratty has played pretty well. He was a backup as a sophomore and freshman.*
