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Oklahoma State Russell Okung (Michael Conroy/AP Photo)
They weren't stars at the recent NFL Scouting Combine, but that's only because offensive linemen aren't often stars on any day.
There is one exception to that rule.
The exception is NFL Draft day, and the reason it's an exception is while they may not often be stars the rest of the year, they're critically important.
Mike Singletary spoke about the whys recently.
“Look at the ruling in the NFL and how they want to protect the quarterback,” Singletary, the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, told NFL.com writer Steve Wyche recently. “If you're calling the quarterback the most important player, if you look at it like, 'If we don't have that guy we're not going anywhere,' then you want to get those guys who can protect him.
"That left tackle, it starts with him. He has to set the tone for that because that's normally where that pass rush is coming from, and it's coming in fast to get your best guy. You want to eliminate that, slow it down. So you want to get the best guy you can to get that done.
Given that analysis, it's hardly surprising that at least eight offensive linemen are widely considered potential first-round selections, with at least six being offensive tackles.
“The offensive line is a very talented group,” Cleveland Browns General Manager Tom Heckert, Jr., said at the recent combine of this year's class. “I say this every year, but they’re getting bigger and better shape and faster. We had three or four run under five flat, which is amazing.”
Most analysts feel that talent is led by Russell Okung of Oklahoma State, with Bryan Bulaga of Iowa, Trent Williams on Oklahoma and Anthony Davis of Rutgers generally considered early-first round selections.
“It's just impressive to me,” Williams said. “Last year was a good o-line draft and I think it's just becoming a trend now. Hopefully I can sneak my way up in the top 10.”
With four offensive tackles, potentially in the top 10, here's a look at what could be the top four:
*Okung: Widely considered the No. 1 offensive tackle/lineman in the draft, he also is considered by some the best offensive lineman ever out of Oklahoma State. He is expected to participate in Oklahoma State's ProDay on Wednesday. He cut his workout short at the combine because of a groin injury. “Whatever position you’re in, you’re not just competing with yourself, you want to be first,” Okung said at the combine. “You want to be No. 1. That’s competitors in the game of football. You don’t want to settle for anything less.”
*Bulaga. Like Okung, he is widely projected to be a top 10 selection. A thyroid issue cost him several games last season and he spent part of the combine assuring teams it wasn't a problem. “It was a three-week thing that ran its course and it's gone,” he said. He declared a year early for the draft, and his Pro Day will be March 22. “It was definitely a tough decision,” Bulaga said. “Leaving that program, I love that program … I kind of had to look at what was going to be best for me from that standpoint, this was the best decision.”
*Williams. Unlike Bulaga, he returned for his senior season at Oklahoma and NFL Draft analyst Russell Lande wrote of Williams' Pro Day Tuesday, “Many media members say Russell Okung is a lock to be the first offensive tackle drafted, but the debate is far from over. Williams is physically gifted with the thick build and strength to become an elite NFL tackle. He struggled to maintain his weight in college, so it's important for him to show up in great shape and shine in his on-campus workout to ease concerns.”
*Davis. His Wednesday Pro Day could move him solidly into the top half of the first round. He arrived at Rutgers at 366 pounds, and weighed in at 323 pounds at the combine. He also lost his starting job for a week in college when he didn't make a weight goal, but he said at the combine he has that under control. Writes Lande,”His on-field play was inconsistent at times in college, and he has had some weight issues. He was in good shape at the Combine, displaying surprising quickness, flexibility and athleticism. He reminds us of the Ravens' Michael Oher and could move into the middle of the first round with a big pro day.”
2010 NFL Draft Scout OT Rankings
1, 4, Russell Okung, Oklahoma State, 1
2, 6, *Bryan Bulaga, Iowa, 1
3, 18, Trent Williams, Oklahoma, 1
4, 23, *Anthony Davis, Rutgers, 1-2
5, 26, *Bruce Campbell, Maryland, 1-2
6, 27, Charles Brown, Southern Cal, 1-2
7, 51, Vladimir Ducasse, Massachusetts, 2
8, 71, Jason Fox, Miami, 2-3
9, 80, Jared Veldheer, Hillsdale, 3
10, 90, Rodger Saffold, Indiana. 3
2010 NFL Draft Scout OG Rankings
1, 15, Mike Iupati, Idaho, 1
2, 67, Jon Asamoah, Illinois, 2-3
3, 81, Mike Johnson, Alabama, 3
4, 109, Mitch Petrus, Arkansas, 3-4
5, 126, John Jerry, Mississippi, 4
2010 NFL Draft Scout C Rankings
1, 30, *Maurkice Pouncey, Florida, 1-2
2, 65, Matt Tennant, Boston College, 2-3
3, 110, J.D. Walton, Baylor, 3-4
4, 134, Jeff Byers, Southern Cal
5, 168, Ted Larsen, North Carolina State, 5
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