Category Archives: OL

Scouting the OTs: Menelik Watson, Florida St.

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menelikwatson2Last Name:  WATSON  First Name:  MENELIK   Position:  OT

Ht:  6’6     Wt:  320  

 STRENGTHS:

  • Carries his weight well.  At 320lbs, player has a well-built frame.  Clearly works in the weight room.
  • Shows the necessary athleticism to get to the 2nd level in the run game.  One of the fastest (linear speed) linemen in the 2013 Draft (on film).
  • Adequate to plus strength for the position.  Can lock onto defender and drive the bus (when applying proper technique). Virtually stonewalls bull rush in pass protection.
  • Plus footwork in pass protection.  Showcases ability to shuffle and slide as well as mirror edge rushers.
  • Plus athletic ability to reach and seal on the edge and to seal LBs on second level.  Very coordinated and balanced. 
  • Displays ability to sit in stance and anchor well vs. bull rush.  Needs to become more consistent at LOS, both in stance and get-off at snap of ball.
  • Scheme diverse.  Projects as an equally effective ZBS prospect. 

WEAKNESSES:

  • Can be slow to move off the snap of the ball which causes him to be vulnerable to speed rusher on edge.
  • Relatively inexperienced after playing only two seasons of American football (born in Manchester, England). Only one year of major college football (JUCO level in 2011).
  • Can be inconsistent with technique.  When technique is off (hand-placement, especially) he tends to throw his body in the direction of the defender. 
  • Lack of experience results in some poor angles on second level. 
  • Struggles, at times, to diagnose assignment on blitz.  Needs to improve overall football IQ.

OVERALL:

Born and raised in Manchester, England, Watson is a former college basketball player who began playing football in 2011.  After finishing his collegiate basketball career at Marist, Watson transferred to Saddleback College where he quickly established himself as one of the top JUCO prospects in the Country.  Watson began his Florida State career in 2012 and started every contest at right tackle.  It should be noted that Watson will enter the NFL as a 24-yr-old rookie.  He will turn 25 in December of his rookie season.

Menelik Watson is one of the most physically gifted players in the entire 2013 NFL Draft.  Watson is a big, well-built prospect who’s 6’6, 320lb frame is thick but not fat.  He has good muscularity, suggesting that he works hard in the weight room.  His weight is well-distributed throughout his body, complimented by a thick and powerful lower-half. 

Watson is a plus athlete for the tackle position.  His film displays rare linear speed for an offensive lineman, with the ability to jump out and on top of  a linebacker on the second level.  While his inexperience causes him to take poor angles at times, his overall athletic ability is exciting.  In addition to Watson’s plus athleticism in the run game, he  displays the necessary coordination and agility needed in pass protection.  Watson slides and shuffles his feet well and has little trouble mirroring oncoming pass rushers.  That said, he needs to improve on his timing off the snap of the ball.  On many occasions, Watson is one of the last linemen to move at the snap, leaving him vulnerable in pass protection.  He’s big, strong and long enough to recover now, but he must become more explosive at the snap to project to the left side in the NFL. 

Watson is plenty strong enough to compete and win at the NFL level.  He uses his overall size to his advantage, often-times locking on to the defender and controlling the action.  He will have to clean up his technique, however, as he can be inconsistent sitting in his stance and anchoring down in pass protection.  He has the potential to pack one of the better punches in this Draft class, but he needs to display it on a more consistent basis.  When Watson’s technique is on, there are few linemen available in 2013 that will be a more effective in-line blocker. 

Watson is scheme diverse.  He is a plus athlete that will be equally effective in a ZBS.  Watson’s film showcases a plus ability to reach and seal, both on the edge as well as on the second level vs. LBs.  If selected by a team that incorporates the ZBS, Watson will have to be coached up on the angles he takes and his overall ability to finish a block in space.  That said, he is a rare 320lb player that can move with light and nimble feet. 

Menelik Watson’s collegiate career has largely been on the right side of the offensive line.  And while he is an inexperienced player, his athletic ability suggests that he will be able to play on the left side in the NFL.  In fact, had Watson returned for his Senior season at Florida State, we might be talking about one of the first 10 players off the board.  There is very little separating Lane Johnson (Oklahoma) and Menelik Watson other than experience at left tackle.  Watson is a legitimate first round talent, and a player that could emerge as one of the best in this year’s Class.

GRADE:  8.2 (see grading scale)

PROJECTED ROUND:  1st Round Selection

Scouting the OGs: Kyle Long, Oregon

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kylelong2Last Name:  LONG  First Name:  KYLE  Position:  OG

Ht:  6’6     Wt:  304

STRENGTHS:

  • Good pedigree.  Father (Howie) and Brother (Chris) both play(ed) in NFL at very high level.
  • Intriguing physical makeup. Has potential to add bulk to his frame.  Looks like he could add another 15 lbs without hindering skillset.
  • Room for growth (technique-wise).  Only two years experience playing offensive line (one year on major college level).  Enticing for NFL coaching staff.
  • Runs well for a man his size.  Has enough linear speed to get to second level.
  • Adequate footwork in pass protection when asked to shuffle and slide (from OT position).
  • Adequate in the run game when asked to reach and seal.

WEAKNESSES:

  • Tends to stand straight-up out of stance.  Fails to display a snap in his hips off the ball.  Lacks  initial quickness, first-step.
  • Sloppy with his hands.  Fails to consistently get inside position on defender’s chest plate.  A grabber.
  • While he did pull some as an OG this past season, projects more as a reach and seal player than an athlete that can set the corner.
  • Not an ideal ZBS prospect.
  • Plays with poor leverage, compromising his overall strength.  Plays weaker than he will likely test.  Can get pushed around by strong bull rush.
  • Gets jolted back in pass protection due to poor hand placement.  Defender able to get to his chest and knock him off balance.
  • Lacks the get off burst to create a real jolt in run game when asked to in-line block.
  • Appears uncomfortable when asked to block in space.  While possessing enough speed to get to second level, often fails to complete assignment.  Likely due to inexperience.
  • Loses balance more than you’d like.  Ends up on ground quite a bit.

OVERALL:

After leaving Florida State (baseball scholarship) for academic reasons, Kyle Long began his college football career at Saddleback College in 2010.  Much like his Hall of Fame father (Howie) and current NFL star brother (Chris), Kyle started his collegiate career on the defensive line.  It wasn’t until 2011 that Kyle made the switch to the offensive line, and after one year of JUCO ball he transferred to Oregon to join Chip Kelly’s offensive machine.  During the 2012 season, Kyle Long started at both tackle and guard.  His NFL career will likely be at the guard position.

Standing at 6’6 and 304lbs, Long will be on the taller side of what NFL teams look for in an interior lineman.  However, his short arms (32 1/8) and  poor hand usage will limit his ability to be a successful tackle on the next level.  In addition, Long’s lack of initial quickness out of his stance and tendency to stand straight up will make him a liability at tackle in pass protection.

Kyle Long needs a lot of work.  He is a player with very little experience on the offensive line, and it shows on his film.  While he flashes a nice combination of size/speed (linear), Long isn’t the most coordinated athlete in space.  Often times, he ends up on the ground or takes a bad angle when attempting to complete an assignment on the second level.  He plays with poor pad level and can get pushed around as a result of being a tall, open target for bull-rushing defensive linemen.  Long needs to do a better job of sitting in his stance, keeping his back straight, and delivering a strong, initial punch.

Long displays adequate footwork when asked to shuffle and slide (tackle), and has enough athleticism to mirror a defender.  However, his lacking technique leaves him susceptible to both speed and power moves.

The buzz around Kyle Long started peaking around Senior Bowl week, but after a thorough film review of the inexperienced prospect, it’s clear that he is a major work in progress that will take multiple seasons of coaching in order to ascend to a starting role.  Long projects as a 3rd day prospect and career backup in the NFL.  That said, if he ends up with an organization willing to be patient with the 6’6 ball of clay, he could emerge sometime around year 3 of his career.

GRADE:  6.2 (see grading scale)

PROJECTED ROUND:  late-4th, early-5th round selection

Scouting the OGs: Larry Warford, Kentucky

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Larry Warford is considered one of the more talented linemen in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Larry Warford is considered one of the more talented linemen in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Larry Warford joins Jonathan Cooper (UNC) and Chance Warmack (Alabama) to form one of the better trios of guards to enter the NFL in quite some time.  Rarely does an NFL Draft produce multiple first-round guards, but 2013 looks like it could be a possible exception to that rule.  While the 2012 Draft had two, it was the only one in the last decade to do so.  In fact, four of the last ten Drafts failed to produce a first-round player at the position.  The odds are stacked against Warford creeping into round 1, but after a thorough evaluation of his game film, it’s hard not to like him as a top-32 player.

Larry Warford was considered one of the top players at his position by Rivals.com (top 30) during his playing days at Madison Central High School in Richmond, Kentucky.  After being named First Team All-State, he committed to the University of Kentucky where he has started every game for the last three seasons (37 games) for the Wildcats.  Warford finished the 2012 season as a Third Team All-American and Second Team All-SEC guard.  It was the third year in a row that Warford has earned Second Team All-SEC honors. 

PHYSICAL MAKEUP:

Larry Warford measured in at 6’3 /333lbs at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL.  And while he clearly meets all of the NFL minimums for the position, I have concerns over his ability to keep his weight under control as he progresses through his NFL career.  His body is not firm/tight.  He has a soft mid-section and a very thick trunk.  While his lower-half will help him anchor vs. NFL talent, I worry about his range and the overall impact on his game if he adds any more weight. 

Warford’s arms, while on the shorter side, are adequate in length for the guard position. 

STRENGTH/PHYSICALITY:

Larry Warford presents as one of the stronger offensive linemen available in the 2013 NFL Draft.  He consistently creates a huge jolt on contact, stunning the defender at the point of attack.  Warford handled himself well vs. mammoth DT John Jenkins (UGA), displaying plenty of anchor and upper body strength to control the 350lb defensive lineman.  Warford’s thick, strong base provides for a plus anchor; he doesn’t get pushed backwards.  

MOVEMENT SKILLS/ATHLETIC ABILITY:

Warford competed against some of the best DT's in the Country this past season.

Warford competed against some of the best DT’s in the Country this past season.

Warford was asked to pull a lot for Kentucky.  He displayed requisite ability to reach the edge, although he didn’t always look comfortable in space.  He has a tendency to take bad angles  when trying to complete a block on the second level.  With that said, Warford presents as a plus reach and seal prospect who, if he maintains/controls his weight, will be able to spring some plays along the edge. 

Warford’s film shows average footwork for the position.  He can be heavy-footed at times, which might be a result of overall fatigue.  On the plus side, when Warford is engaged with a defender, he keeps his feet chopping.  A lot of Warford’s knockdown blocks are a result of his initial jolt combined with great, chopping feet. 

At times, Warford appears to lose his balance and he ends up on the ground.  While not a “groundhog”, there are lost plays that had he remained on his feet, he could have made an impact.

Warford displays adequate flexibility and knee bend.  However, and as stated above, he is teetering on being too thick to sit comfortably in his stance.  If he gets any heavier, he could turn into a waist-bender. 

PASS PROTECTION:

Larry Warford does a nice job of maintaining pocket integrity when pass protecting.  Rarely is he beaten off the snap of the ball, and he anchors well against the bull rush.  He can get overly aggressive at times when trying to stun the defender at the point of attack.  As a result, he compromises technique and can be shed by his opponent.  Warford possesses a powerful punch, but he can lose track of his hand placement.  When Warford’s hands are on the defender’s chest plate, he rarely loses the power position.  However, when his hands are in the outside position, he is forced to rely on his brute strength and overall physical size to maintain his assignment.  I believe these are coachable issues, as it appears that Warford tries to simply be too aggressive.

RUN BLOCKING:

Warford is the prototype in-line run blocking guard.  He’s strong, he’s thick, and he creates a stunning jolt when he engages with the defender.  Warford consistently showcases the ability to drive a defensive lineman backwards when leading the charge in the running game.  Even when he faced John Jenkins, he displayed enough strength to engagage and seal the bigger defensive tackle. 

Warford’s film shows enough movement and action in space to make him a candidate for ZBS teams, too.  While not as ideal a fit, Warford does possess enough athleticism to fight for a spot in that system.  As stated above, Warford needs to learn better angles and, likely, will have to shed about 20lbs to thrive in a ZBS. 

Combined with Jonathan Cooper (UNC) and Chance Warmack (Ala), Warford makes the 2013 OG class one of the best in the last 10 years.

Combined with Jonathan Cooper (UNC) and Chance Warmack (Ala), Warford makes the 2013 OG class one of the best in the last 10 years.

OVERALL:

There just aren’t many 6’3, 333lb men with as much natural ability as Larry Warford.  While not as good of an athlete as Jonathan Cooper, Warford appears to be every bit as blessed as Chance Warmack in that department.  Physically, Warford appears stronger than both Warmack and Cooper, but his desire to dominate every play has his techinque lagging behind both of his guard classmates.  Ideally suited as an in-line, road grading run blocker, Warford is plenty good enough as a pass protector to come in as a rookie and compete for a starting job right away.  While I think he will have to be coached on how to stay in control and to use techqnique over brute strength (at times), there’s no doubt that he will be a highly sought-after player likely to hear his name called somewhere in the mid-early portion round 2.

GRADE:  7.8  (See Grading Scale)

Projected Round:  2nd Round Pick

Scouting the OTs: Dallas Thomas, Tennessee

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dallas thomasLast Name:  Thomas    First Name:  Dallas    Position:  OT

Ht:  6’5     Wt:  310  

STRENGTHS:

  • Ideal frame for the position.  Plus length.  Well-built 310 lb lineman.
  • Lots of experience vs. high level of competition.  37 consecutive starts in SEC.  25 at left tackle, 12 at left guard.
  • Plays with good pad level and knee bend.  Showcases plus flexibility.
  • Adequate strength for the position.
  • Adequate athletic ability for the position.  Displays competent footwork.  Coordinated when sliding and shuffling his feet.  Diplays the ability to mirror  defender in pass protection.
  • Anchors well vs. bull rush.  Displays adequate strength to hold up vs. NFL defensive linemen.  Showcases proper hand placement in pass protection, allowing him to control the defender.
  • At his best when in-line blocking. 

WEAKNESSES:

  • Fails to deliver a real jolt on contact.  Rarely will he completely dominate the defender.
  • Susceptible to the speed rush.  While he possesses adequate athleticism, he can be a bit slow out of his stance at times and becomes vulnerable to speed around the edge.
  • While he did pull some as an OG this past season, projects more as a reach and seal player than an athlete that can set the corner.
  • Not an ideal ZBS prospect. 

OVERALL:

A 2012 3rd Team All-American guard, Dallas Thomas projects more as a left tackle prospect for the NFL game.  Possessing the requisite measurables for the position, Thomas is likely to be given every chance possible to play the left side in 2013.  After starting 25 consecutive games at left tackle for the Tennessee Volunteers, Thomas was kicked inside this past season for all1 2 contests.  While his positional versatility enhances his overall value for this April’s Draft, another season at left tackle in the SEC would have done him well.

Thomas’s 2011 film showed a left tackle that possesses adequate strength and athleticism needed to protect his qb’s blindside in the NFL.  While sometimes vulnerable to the speed rush, Thomas consistently showed the ability to slide and shuffle his feet well.   He  mirrors his opponent with ease while maintaining good knee bend and pad level.  Not the strongest prospect in this year’s Draft, Thomas will have to put some work in the weight room in order to hold up against the NFL’s best.  This isn’t to say that Thomas’s strength is a red flag; it’s not.  Thomas presents as a player that has enough strength to lock onto the defender and control the action just long enough.  However, you’d like to see some more impact, jolting hits/blocks on his film. 

While Thomas is a solid athlete, he is best suited as an in-line blocker.  He will struggle in space, and is not a good fit for a ZBS.  He pulled quite a bit this past season at guard, but it looked like a struggle for him to get moving.  Thomas will be able to reach and seal on the edge if need be, but it won’t be a strength. 

Dallas Thomas projects as a solid 3rd round selection for a team looking to add an experienced, technically sound left tackle prospect with the chance of starting early in his career.  Thomas’s experience at guard will help him transition to the inside in the event he is unable to keep up with the speed rushers in the NFL.  However, I think Thomas will make a fine left tackle with a starting job in the NFL at some point before his 2nd year is over. 

GRADE:  7.0 (see grading scale)

PROJECTED ROUND:  3rd round selection

Scouting the OTs: Oday Aboushi, Virginia

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aboushi

Oday Aboushi started 31 games at left tackle during his career at Virginia.

Oday Aboushi is an experienced left tackle who has started the last 37 games at the position for the Virginia Cavaliers.  Standing at 6’5 and 310 lbs, Aboushi was considered a 4 star recruit and the 23rd best OT in the Country by Rivals.com following his senior year at Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, NY.  Aboushi became a full-time starter for the Cavaliers in 2010 and finished 2012 as a First Team All-ACC selection.

PHYSICAL MAKEUP:

Oday Aboushi measures-in with the ideal height/weight combo for a tackle in the NFL, but his frame and body type will hinder his ability to hold-up against NFL defensive ends.  Specifically, Aboushi has a long upper-body and short legs.  As a result, he is a bit of a waist-bender and is slowed out of his stance as he brings is long torso upright.  In addition, his arms measured in at under 33″ in length.

STRENGTH/PHYSICALITY

Oday Aboushi plays with plus physicality and showcases requisite strength for the NFL.  As an in-line blocker, Aboushi showcases the ability to deliver a good blow on contact.  He has strong arms and overall upper body strength that allows him to control the action when his hands are inside and on the defender’s chest-plate.  At times, however, Aboushi gets sloppy with his technique and can become a bit of a grabber when engaged with the defender.  Even on the plays where his technique isn’t the best, he still showcases plus strength and control over his assignment.  Rarely is he pushed around by the defender and he doesn’t shy away from contact.  He presents as a player that has the necessary mean streak for the position.

Aboushi's athletic limitations may push him inside to guard.

Aboushi’s athletic limitations may push him inside to guard.

MOVEMENT SKILLS/ATHLETIC ABILITY

Oday Aboushi fails to display the necessary athletic ability required to be a starting left tackle in the NFL.  His initial kick step is slow and his footwork is forced and unnatural.  He labors to shuffle and slide, and is easily overwhelmed by speed rushers off the edge.

Aboushi does not project as ZBS prospect, as he lacks the necessary athletic skill set to consistently block in space.  In addition, while Aboushi does flash the ability to get to the second level and complete a block vs. a LB, he is more of a reach and seal player than a player that will consistently get to his assignment and deliver a blow.

PASS PROTECTION

Aboushi’s biggest wart on film is his inability to hold up against speed rushers on the edge.  Time and time again, Aboushi is playing catch-up with a defender that gets off the ball faster and turns the corner seemingly before he’s completed his kick-step.  Aboushi’s slow, sluggish slide and shuffle is exposed when facing speed, and there’s no way that I can see him lining up on the left side in the NFL.  In fact, his poor footwork and failure to get out of his stance quickly is such a glaring problem that he doesn’t project well to the right side either .  Aboushi will need a lot of work before he is capable of competing vs. the speed  in the NFL.

On the flip-side, Aboushi is an adequate pass protector vs. power moves/bull rush.  His overall size works to his advantage in close quarters, and if he is able to get his hands on the defender, he usually wins.  As mentioned earlier, Aboushi can get sloppy with his hand placement at times.  If he doesn’t improve his overall technique in that area, he may be an oft-penalized player on the next level.

RUN BLOCKING

Aboushi’s biggest strength is his ability to be a tough, physical in-line blocker.  He never shies away from contact.  When Aboushi fires off the ball, he delivers a powerful jolt that stuns the defender.  Aboushi’s best fit will be as a traditional, in-line blocking lineman that is rarely asked to block in space.  While he did pull and lead the charge at times at Virginia, he often looked uncomfortable and took bad angles.  Again, this is a product of his less than stellar athleticism.  On the next level, Aboushi is going to have to play with better bend and get deeper in his stance.  He is going to have to work on his pad level in order to gain a leverage advantage against the size/strength combination he’ll be facing with NFL defensive linemen.

Don't expect to hear Aboushi's name called before round 3 this April.

Don’t expect to hear Aboushi’s name called before round 3 this April.

OVERALL: 

Oday Aboushi is a big man with a lot of experience playing left tackle.  With the premium placed on the blindside protector, Aboushi’s value will be overrated.  In fact, after an extensive review of Aboushi’s film, I don’t see him as a player that can play at either the left or right tackle position in the NFL.  If he is drafted to play tackle, he will be a project and a player that won’t be ready to start early in his career.  He’ll have a much better chance  if he is converted to guard, as his skill set is better suited to bang around in a phone booth than to be left vulnerable on the edge.  At the end of the day, I see Aboushi as a solid depth player who could have a niche role as a swing, reserve lineman on a team with an established starting 5.

GRADE:  6.6  (see grading scale)

PROJECTED ROUND:  4th round pick

Scouting the OTs: Oday Aboushi, Virginia

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aboushi

Oday Aboushi started 31 games at left tackle during his career at Virginia.

Oday Aboushi is an experienced left tackle who has started the last 37 games at the position for the Virginia Cavaliers.  Standing at 6’5 and 310 lbs, Aboushi was considered a 4 star recruit and the 23rd best OT in the Country by Rivals.com following his senior year at Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, NY.  Aboushi became a full-time starter for the Cavaliers in 2010 and finished 2012 as a First Team All-ACC selection.

PHYSICAL MAKEUP:

Oday Aboushi measures-in with the ideal height/weight combo for a tackle in the NFL, but his frame and body type will hinder his ability to hold-up against NFL defensive ends.  Specifically, Aboushi has a long upper-body and short legs.  As a result, he is a bit of a waist-bender and is slowed out of his stance as he brings is long torso upright.  In addition, his arms measured in at under 33″ in length.

STRENGTH/PHYSICALITY

Oday Aboushi plays with plus physicality and showcases requisite strength for the NFL.  As an in-line blocker, Aboushi showcases the ability to deliver a good blow on contact.  He has strong arms and overall upper body strength that allows him to control the action when his hands are inside and on the defender’s chest-plate.  At times, however, Aboushi gets sloppy with his technique and can become a bit of a grabber when engaged with the defender.  Even on the plays where his technique isn’t the best, he still showcases plus strength and control over his assignment.  Rarely is he pushed around by the defender and he doesn’t shy away from contact.  He presents as a player that has the necessary mean streak for the position.

Aboushi's athletic limitations may push him inside to guard.

Aboushi’s athletic limitations may push him inside to guard.

MOVEMENT SKILLS/ATHLETIC ABILITY

Oday Aboushi fails to display the necessary athletic ability required to be a starting left tackle in the NFL.  His initial kick step is slow and his footwork is forced and unnatural.  He labors to shuffle and slide, and is easily overwhelmed by speed rushers off the edge.

Aboushi does not project as ZBS prospect, as he lacks the necessary athletic skill set to consistently block in space.  In addition, while Aboushi does flash the ability to get to the second level and complete a block vs. a LB, he is more of a reach and seal player than a player that will consistently get to his assignment and deliver a blow.

PASS PROTECTION

Aboushi’s biggest wart on film is his inability to hold up against speed rushers on the edge.  Time and time again, Aboushi is playing catch-up with a defender that gets off the ball faster and turns the corner seemingly before he’s completed his kick-step.  Aboushi’s slow, sluggish slide and shuffle is exposed when facing speed, and there’s no way that I can see him lining up on the left side in the NFL.  In fact, his poor footwork and failure to get out of his stance quickly is such a glaring problem that he doesn’t project well to the right side either .  Aboushi will need a lot of work before he is capable of competing vs. the speed  in the NFL.

On the flip-side, Aboushi is an adequate pass protector vs. power moves/bull rush.  His overall size works to his advantage in close quarters, and if he is able to get his hands on the defender, he usually wins.  As mentioned earlier, Aboushi can get sloppy with his hand placement at times.  If he doesn’t improve his overall technique in that area, he may be an oft-penalized player on the next level.

RUN BLOCKING

Aboushi’s biggest strength is his ability to be a tough, physical in-line blocker.  He never shies away from contact.  When Aboushi fires off the ball, he delivers a powerful jolt that stuns the defender.  Aboushi’s best fit will be as a traditional, in-line blocking lineman that is rarely asked to block in space.  While he did pull and lead the charge at times at Virginia, he often looked uncomfortable and took bad angles.  Again, this is a product of his less than stellar athleticism.  On the next level, Aboushi is going to have to play with better bend and get deeper in his stance.  He is going to have to work on his pad level in order to gain a leverage advantage against the size/strength combination he’ll be facing with NFL defensive linemen.

Don't expect to hear Aboushi's name called before round 3 this April.

Don’t expect to hear Aboushi’s name called before round 3 this April.

OVERALL: 

Oday Aboushi is a big man with a lot of experience playing left tackle.  With the premium placed on the blindside protector, Aboushi’s value will be overrated.  In fact, after an extensive review of Aboushi’s film, I don’t see him as a player that can play at either the left or right tackle position in the NFL.  If he is drafted to play tackle, he will be a project and a player that won’t be ready to start early in his career.  He’ll have a much better chance  if he is converted to guard, as his skill set is better suited to bang around in a phone booth than to be left vulnerable on the edge.  At the end of the day, I see Aboushi as a solid depth player who could have a niche role as a swing, reserve lineman on a team with an established starting 5.

GRADE:  6.6  (see grading scale)

PROJECTED ROUND:  4th round pick