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Thread: The Top Tackles of the 2017 Draft Class

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    Default The Top Tackles of the 2017 Draft Class

    Much has been made of this year's tackle class. The draft "experts" seem to think it's weak at the top for tackles. While there may not be a Joe Thomas coming out, I disagree with their assessment. I think that there's 3 legit first round prospects. Here's how I have them broken down.

    1. Cam Robinson- 6'6 322
    I've never seen the experts so completely divided over one offensive tackle prospect. Half of them see a guy that can be a franchise left tackle, and the other half think he's either a right tackle or guard prospect only. He's a hulking presence at 6'6 322 pounds with long arms and solid base. He's nowhere near the athlete that other top tackles have been coming out of the draft, but has surprisingly good technique. He also played against some of the country's top pass rushers for multiple seasons. Robinson uses his size well in the run game. He can clear space quickly and is decent at getting to the second level. The one area that he struggles is against speed rushers. He's definitely not the 'dancing bear' type. Robinson may have the lowest floor outside of the left tackle position.

    2. Garett Bolles- 6'5 297
    Bolles has a different build than Robinson and Ramczyk. He only played one year of FBS football after transferring from a junior college. Bolles has freakish athletic ability for a big guy. At the combine he had the best 3 cone drill of all offensive lineman and was 2nd in the short shuttle. It backs up what the film shows. Bolles has the best feet in this draft. He excels against speed rushers and at getting to the second level in the run game. Bolles also plays with the nastiest demeanor in the draft. One scouting report said, "Bolles could start a fight in an empty room." It shows up in the way he finishes blocks. He has the highest ceiling of any left tackle prospect in this draft. Bolles has two things working against him. He lacks the upper body strength to anchor against elite power rushers, and he will be 25 when the season starts. With an NFL weight training regimen, the strength issue is fixable. How much the age issue will bother teams will probably vary from GM to GM.

    3. Ryan Ramczyk- 6'6 310
    Like Bolles, Ramczyk has only one season of FBS experience. He also transferred from a junior college. Of the top three, Ramczyk is probably the most starter ready prospect. He's solid in both run and pass protection. He has good size, good feet, and is a sound technician. Due to offseason hip surgery, he won't be able to do pre-draft workouts, but by all accounts he should be ready for training camp. Ramczyk has the lowest floor at the LT position in this draft. Even though he can't do workouts, the Broncos will have plenty of inside info on him. Tight end coach Geep Chryst is the brother of Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst. If the Broncos want to roll with the most NFL ready starter, Ramczyk is their man. He may have the lowest ceiling of three, but I think his floor could be starting caliber.






    Overall thoughts- All 3 are worthy of a first round pick. Something tells me that Bolles is the man if the Broncos go LT in the first round. He fits the new offensive line mentality to a tee. The age problem shouldn't be much of a problem considering two of the best three left tackle in the NFL are 32 and 35 years old. Also, coach Joseph has mentioned more than once that the Broncos need to find a left tackle that can stop speed rushers. The AFC west is full of them. Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin, Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, Dee Ford, and Melvin Ingram come to mind. Cam wouldn't be a bad pick. If he doesn't work out at left tackle, I think he could be a Ricky Wagner type of right tackle, or move inside to guard. He has the kind of size and strength that you can't coach up. Ramczyk has a chance to be an effective day 1 starter at the left tackle position.

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    Pretty close to what I've read and summarized elsewhere. Most draft boards seem to rank Ramczyk, Robinson and Bolles in that order but they are not uniform in that opinion.

    I am curious about guys like Julie'N Davenport and Roderick Johnson just in case we take another position in the first round and the three top OTs are gone by our pick in the second. Can either be a diamond in the rough? What of Forest Lamp and Taylor Moton? Small school kids.

    I'm sure Dove Valley is doing their homework but there are many here that want us to draft McCaffrey or an edge rusher and leave OT for later. If the Broncos go that route, who/what is their Plan B for filling the LT position?
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    I am not sure these guys are 1st round draft grades in other previous years. Never hear the girst yackle coming off the board near 20. Almost always sever in top 10.

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    Quote Originally Posted by NightTerror218 View Post
    I am not sure these guys are 1st round draft grades in other previous years. Never hear the girst yackle coming off the board near 20. Almost always sever in top 10.
    "girst yackle"??? Muhahaha!

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    Quote Originally Posted by OrangeHoof View Post
    Pretty close to what I've read and summarized elsewhere. Most draft boards seem to rank Ramczyk, Robinson and Bolles in that order but they are not uniform in that opinion.

    I am curious about guys like Julie'N Davenport and Roderick Johnson just in case we take another position in the first round and the three top OTs are gone by our pick in the second. Can either be a diamond in the rough? What of Forest Lamp and Taylor Moton? Small school kids.

    I'm sure Dove Valley is doing their homework but there are many here that want us to draft McCaffrey or an edge rusher and leave OT for later. If the Broncos go that route, who/what is their Plan B for filling the LT position?
    Lamp played his college career at LT. He has great athleticism but his arms are too short to play tackle at the next level. He's the consensus #1 guard in the draft and could go in the top 15. Taylor Moton is a pure road grading guard in the NFL. The next tier of tackles begins with Antonio Garcia who's a small school guy. He has a chance to go in the second. Julie'n Davenport is a complete project but may go in the third round simply due to measurables. He's not a guy that you can bring in to start right away. He'll take 1-2 years to develop but has a high ceiling.

    Roderick Johnson is an intriguing guy. He has the perfect height and length to play tackle in the NFL, and played in a pro style system at Florida State. He has a ton of potential, but poor mechanics. With the right coaching and work ethic, he could turn into a solid NFL tackle. I think he goes in the second round.

    Dion Dawkins is a guy that could go in the second as well. He's another small school guy that had a great week of practice at the senior bowl. If the Broncos wait until the second round for a tackle, I'd look for him or Johnson to be on their radar.
    Last edited by Ziggy; 04-02-2017 at 10:48 AM.

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    I'm hoping Mr. Elway goes for BPA with the first pick.
    I don't think any of these "top 3 draft prospects" will be able to step in and handle the blind side rush.
    I'm sure Mr. Elway is aware of this and has plans to secure a bonifide veteran LT somehow, someway.

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    I believe the plan is force feed Schumacher up to 370 lbs and, if it doesn't work, they'll at least have some delicious foie gras in time for Christmas.
    I miss the old Mile High Stadium.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Az Snake View Post
    I'm hoping Mr. Elway goes for BPA with the first pick.
    I don't think any of these "top 3 draft prospects" will be able to step in and handle the blind side rush.
    I'm sure Mr. Elway is aware of this and has plans to secure a bonifide veteran LT somehow, someway.
    I'd love to see a decent left tackle in Dove Valley. I have no idea where we are going to find said person.
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    Quote Originally Posted by LTC Pain View Post
    "girst yackle"??? Muhahaha!
    My phone sucks at auto correct and even corrects to wrong words. I dont reread for proof reading obviously.

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    Quote Originally Posted by NightTerror218 View Post
    My phone sucks at auto correct and even corrects to wrong words. I dont reread for proof reading obviously.
    The tackle class for 2017 is an inept as your phones auto correct.
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    Right now, I have doubts that any one of these three guys can be an NFL left tackle.
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    I think Bolles and Ramczyk will be good OTs but they may not be ready out of the box.
    I miss the old Mile High Stadium.

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    From what I've read on Robinson he has issues with balance. He also, to some scouts, projects more as a guard.

    The guy from Wisconsin is who I want. He played at an elite level last year - he just has some medical issues and did it one year. So what? He has the brains for it and Wisconsin makes a lot of really good offensive lineman. Draft him and I consider it a big time win.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jaded View Post
    Y’all know I’m an OL Groupie but I think Jeudy is going to be worth missing out on a T, knock on wood.

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    Ramczyk is not 1st round good. He recovers great when beat and in the end he wins a lot.

    But his footwork is sloppy, he's no run game mauler, he's not super athletic at getting to backers, and his hands are nothing elite. He's solid, and could be the real deal with some development, but not sure you spend a 1st on him.

    I won't complain if they snag him, though. He's a do-your-homework guy because there is the upside, but major risks--not just the injury.
    Quote Originally Posted by Sting
    "You know cos I just lost my parents--both my parents died in the same year...to this day, people come up to me and say 'my dad died and that album really meant a lot to me,' which is very nourishing {pats heart} for a songwriter to hear that your songs have a utility beyond just their own solace, that it actually helps other people."

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    He's above average at just about everything from what I've read - I'll have to take your word on the footwork, though that's not what I've read.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jaded View Post
    Y’all know I’m an OL Groupie but I think Jeudy is going to be worth missing out on a T, knock on wood.

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