Real Headline
from
Lincolnreport
“Offense tackle has always been a premier position on any football team, with left tackle being one of the most important positions in any given draft. Not long ago there were almost always three to four tackles selected in the top 15 annually. In 2015 and 2016, two tackles went in the top 10 and five were selected in the first round. Last season, that changed, as no tackles were selected in the top 10 and only two — Garett Bolles, No 20 overall to the Denver Broncos, and Ryan Ramczyk, 32nd overall to the New Orleans Saints —went in the first round. This year, there could very well be five or six offensive linemen selected in the opening round, but it might be limited to two or three tackles. The trend isn’t because the tackle position is less important — it’s because the talent level of this year’s OT prospects is not as good as in recent years. I don’t have an answer as to why, but I am sure that the influx of spread offenses in college has something to do with it. Tackles entering the draft now just don’t have the skill set that we are used to seeing. The cycle will most likely change in years to come, but clubs right now are struggling to find plug-and-play edge protectors. With that in mind, these four prospects are likely to be the first tackles selected in the draft: Photo: USA TODAY Sports”
