THE EXTRA YARD: 2020 NFL DRAFT Top 5 OT/OG/C

Welcome to the Five Reasons Sports 2020 NFL Draft Guide.

We will be bringing you a top 5 list compiled by Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga), and a counter list by Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) for each position, for the 2020 NFL Draft. By offering you rankings of prospects 1 thru 5 for each position, we hope you will better understand this most important draft. Enjoy!

 

Miami Dolphins Picks:
Round1· Pick 5(5)
Round1· Pick 18(18)PIT > MIA
Round1· Pick 26(26)HOU > MIA
Round2· Pick 7(39)
Round2· Pick 24(56)NO > MIA
Round3· Pick 6(70)
Round4· Pick 35(141)Compensatory
Round5· Pick 7(153)
Round5· Pick 9(154)JAX > PIT > MIS
Round5· Pick 28(173)BAL > LA > MIN
Round6· Pick 6(185)
Round7· Pick 13(227)IND > MIA
Round7· Pick 32(246)KC > MIA
Round7· Pick 37(251)Compensatory

OFFENSIVE TACKLES

 

1. ANDREW THOMAS- Georgia- 6’-5” 315 lbs.

When you talk about “clean” prospects, I think a 5 star recruit, 2-time 1st Team SEC, 3-time All American, qualifies. Thomas, as early as 18 months ago was a near consensus top 5 pick, and I don’t think much has changed. Thomas is a monster in the run game, as he moves easily out to landmarks and assignments in the run game. When he gets there, he finds guys to hit. (an important quality in an NFL tackle) Very strong hands, and a consistent base in Pass pro, make Andrew Thomas a complete prospect.

 

2. TRISTAN WIRFS- Iowa- 6’-5” 320 lbs.

Wirfs has the ideal build, and frame for right tackle in the NFL. He not only tested off the charts at the combine, but is a legendary weight room fixture at Iowa. Nimble feet, with a smooth slide, and noticeable lateral quickness. Has the “power” look but plays like an athlete. Well versed in hand placement, and has no issues whatsoever in re-setting his feet and adjusting to rushers in space. In the run game, he sometimes builds up too much steam and overruns blocks at the 2nd level. It’s an adrenaline issue, not a skill-set one.

 

3. MEKHI BECTON- Louisville- 6’-7” 364 lbs.

A mammoth human being adept at playing both tackle spots. Played both adequately, but settled as a LT at Louisville. Some of his film in the run game has an abusive look to it. To say that Becton manhandles foes is an understatement. With very quick choppy steps that get him upon his prey, his hands latch on to control defenders, and he really finishes them. In the passing game, he does not lumber. He is as nimble as you can get for big man, and he rarely lets his hands leave his frame. On the downside, there is always fear that a large man will succumb to poor discipline. Becton has also had some bad moments versus elaborate stunts/blitzes.

 

4. JEDRICK WILLS- Alabama- 6’-4” 312 lbs.

The best pass protector of any tackle prospect in this draft. (He is a Right Tackle). His kick slide is natural and not exaggerated. His hand placement is perfect, and I never saw him (2019 film) over extend his arm outside his frame. His great technique will mean few penalties in the NFL. Wills is so good in pass pro, that it is conceivable that somebody will draft him with the intention of trying him on the left side. If he has some “cons”, it’s that he is all schooling/skill, and that can sometimes overwhelm his poorly coached/weaker opponents. Wills has good foot speed, but he does tend to drop his head a bit when reaching toward the second level. A clean prospect.

 

5. JOSH JONES- Houston- 6’-5” 319 lbs.

Played in 9 games in 2019 due to a knee injury. Jones has consistently gotten better, each and every year at Houston. Plays with a certain smoothness, and athleticism, which classifies him as a dancer/athlete at tackle, but make no mistake, Josh Jones is not some finesse tackle taken advantage of on the edge. He will finish a block on you, and he does seek contact int eh run game, and usually finds it due to his proportioned, long, rangy build. On the downside, Jones does need a bit coaching, as there are many examples of rushers getting to his chest. Footwork, could be better as he sometimes keeps his feet moving to move guys, instead of anchoring and stoning them. This is a coaching project, but one that can pay HUGE dividends in the future.

 

SIMON CLANCY’S (@SiClancy) VIEW:

1. Jedrick Wills – Alabama
2. Tristan Wirfs – Iowa
3. Mekhi Becton – Louisville
4. Andrew Thomas – Georgia
5. Josh Jones – Houston

 

OFFENSIVE GUARDS

1. DAMIEN LEWIS- LSU- 6’-2” 327 lbs

This is a people mover. The consummate mauler at Right Guard, but without the excessive useless size. He is perfectly squat and proportionate, and is at his perfect weight right now. Keeps his feet moving and improves his blocks by digging lower on his drive. If Lewis has a flaw, it’s that Defensive coordinators sometimes throw elaborate stunts, and load blitzes and you can see him processing and at times can be confused by the fancy twist in pass pro. But Lewis in a combo block, for a lead? Money. His down blocks are clean well. He is so good in the run game, that you can overlook some of his deficiencies in pass pro.

 

2. NETANE MUTI- Fresno St.- 6’-3” 315 lbs.

Achilles and Lisfranc injuries marred his college career (played 19 games in 4 years), but the promise is still there. Heavy handed, and strong. (44 reps of 225 at the combine) His build is cookie cutter NFL, and his freakish upper body strength serves him well in pass pro, as his punch is a bit disarming for 3 techs that try to get their hand son him. If it were not for his injury history, Muti is one of those interior linemen that come around every 5 years or so, that are consensus top 10 picks.

 

3. JOHN SIMPSON- Clemson- 6’-4” 321 lbs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k5_ZUCYw2g

Broad, big build, with real muscle mass, and little wasted weight. Can run out to the second level, and uses his hands effectively to steer blocks. Not a waist bender, as he plays in control. Good lateral quickness to pick up rushers, and has a solid anchor to engage. Has occasionally been slow out of his stance, and very deliberate in setting up, has made him susceptible to creative interior rushers.

 

4. JONAH JACKSON- Ohio State- 6’-4” 306 lbs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exq2Vv899Vk

After 4 years at Rutgers, Jackson transferred to Ohio State, and quickly earned the left guard spot. Jackson is versatile in that he has played all three interior line spots. Highly intelligent, and quick to recognize blitzes, and moves to engage them. Is a much better pass protector than run blocker. Nimble feet, and a good lateral slide with perfect hand placement. Not a good body type. In the run game, he does not displace as much as he walls, and obstructs. Not noticeable on down blocks, and has had issues getting to the second level and squaring up blocks.

 

5. SHANE LEMIEUX- Oregon- 6’-4” 310 lbs.

Going into 2019, Lemieux was widely considered by many as the top guard prospect in the nation. With an ideal broad chested build, Lemieux has noticeable upper body strength, when manipulating Defensive Tackles. At the second level, there are many instances on film of Lemieux delivering jarring hits to LB’s and DB’s. There is a mean streak here. In pass pro, he is good with his hands, and resets his feet to deliver power from instinct. On the “con” side, Lemieux does show a propensity for being slow to stunts, and is sometimes not quick to disengage to get to reach blocks. He also has been hit with the “short arm” knock that haunts guard prospects.

 

SIMON CLANCY’S (@SiClancy) VIEW:

1. Netane Muti – Utah
2. Jonah Jackson – Ohio State
3. Damien Lewis – LSU
4. Robert Hunt – Louisiana
5. John Simpson – Clemson

 

CENTERS

1. MATT HENNESSEY- Temple- 6’-4” 307 lbs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT0Zyq7YCJs
Athletic, muscular build, with ideal size/weight to anchor. Hennessey gets out and runs well when pulling, and is quick to get to blocks in the screen game. Mobile, but stout and well schooled in his technique, Hennessey is rarely overwhelmed by an athletic rusher. He can move to contact, and his feet take him were he needs to be. Has a “strength” knock that he erases with technique. That can be a detriment at the next level. Tends to grab a bit on reach blocks.

2. TYLER BIADASZ- Wisconsin- 6’-4” 314 lbs.

The highest decorated center in this class, as he won the Remington award for the nations top center, and was also a multi-time all American, as well as Outland Trophy finalist. The catalyst for Jonathan Taylor’s highly productive career, Biadasz can be seen on film, erasing tackles on double teams, and cinching second level blocks to allow for broad cut back lanes. Where he doesn’t shine is in space, where he tends to lumber a bit, which seems to be a feature for Wisconsin interior linemen. His intelligence, and team captain status, gives you all the intangibles you usually seek with a center, but be forewarned, Biadasz is a guy that does look out of place with athletic types on the offensive line. He won’t beat you up, but he will outthink you.

3. CESAR RUIZ- Michigan- 6’-3” 307 lbs.

For a center prospect, Ruiz sure does have fun tape to watch. There is a rep versus Michigan State, where they send a LB into the A gap, and he punches the backer to his left, engages the 3 tech to his right, gets back to wiping out the A gap blitzer, and then gets one final jolt in on the 3 tech as the pass gets away. Exhausting. Ruiz is a squat, athletic type who is very quick from snap to set. He lacks power, and is not the type to finish blocks. He has had the knock of “finesse lineman” and does not have the ideal build for a NFL center.

 

4. LLOYD CUSHENBERRY III- LSU- 6’-3” 312 lbs.

Team captain on a line that has my top rated guard. Cushenberry has long arms, and has a rangy build that helps him reach blocks that most centers can’t get too. Now, being able to reach blocks due to his length is not the same as being mobile. He is not. You will not see him out leading a run as a pulling center. Where he has shown problems in the past, is when rushers come across his face. Not particularly quick, and not particularly adept at setting his feet to receive oncoming rushers, Cushenberry is susceptible to guys getting on his shoulder and toward the quarterback.

 

5. JAKE HANSON- Oregon- 6’-4” 304 lbs.

A top recruit out of Eureka, California, the highly touted Hanson landed in Oregon, and immediately took over at center in 2016. While not making all-american, Hanson was honorable mention Pac 12 for every year of his career. All of the guys that finished ahead of him are in the NFL (Scott Quessenberry-5th rd.(LAC), Coleman Shelton-UDFA (LAR). Very good feet to sustain blocks, but does tend to stick on combo blocks. Coach’ favorite, and made captain on an offensive line that features a future 1st rounder ( Penei Sewell-LT) and possible early Day 2 pick (Shane Lemieux-LG). The upside is there, while the measurables and ideal physicality is not.

 

SIMON CLANCY’S (@SiClancy) VIEW:

1. Cesar Ruiz – Michigan
2. Matt Hennessey – Temple
3. Lloyd Cushenberry – LSU
4. Tyler Biadasz – Wisconsin
5. Darryl Williams – Mississippi State

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga) and Simon Clancy (SiClancy) are two-thirds of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.