#5 – Oklahoma OT Orlando Brown
The Sooners 6-foot-8, 360-pound left tackle became just the third player in conference history to be named Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year twice.
Brown is arguably the best run-blocking tackle in this year’s class, but there are some concerns with his foot quickness in pass protection. Pro Football Focus has the Los Angeles Chargers selecting the Sooners left tackle in the first-round of their most recent mock draft.
While Brown clearly has starting potential at the next level, Oklahoma’s redshirt junior has also reportedly drawn comparisons with Chargers 2013 draft bust D.J. Fluker. The former first-round pick didn’t pan out as an offensive tackle, but Fluker has since proven himself a serviceable starting guard with both the Chargers and Giants.
#4 – Texas OT Connor Williams
Despite missing seven games in 2017, Williams is still considered one of the top offensive tackle prospects in this year’s class. The Longhorns 6-foot-6, 315-pound left tackle earned first-team All-American honors in his sophomore season.
Miller lists Williams as the best tackle and the eighth best prospect in this year’s draft class. Bleacher Report’s lead draft analyst also labels the Longhorns left tackle the “most NFL-ready, best run-blocker,” and “best pass-blocker.”
Miller isn’t the only one praising Texas’ standout left tackle, Jeremiah also lists Williams as the best tackle prospect in this year’s class. Walter Football, on the other hand, has him ranked eighth among tackles and writes some teams are concerned with his “lack of strength.”
#3 – Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey
McGlinchey earned second-team All-American honors and was Pro Football Focus’ top graded offensive tackle in 2017.
Narrowly edging out KSU's Dalton Risner, Notre Dame tackle Mike McGlinchey clinches the highest grade for a tackle in the 2017 season. pic.twitter.com/gV5gB3yGEk
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 8, 2018
Kiper has Notre Dame’s 6-foot-8, 315-pound left tackle listed as the top offensive tackle in his prospect rankings and places him 16th on his most recent big board. There are some concerns with McGlinchey’s play, especially against Miami, but he is also arguably the most well-rounded tackle prospect in this year’s class.
The Fighting Irish left tackle is a sure-fire first-round selection and is among the top three tackles on most draft analysts’ big boards.
#2 – Ohio State C Billy Price
The Buckeyes 6-foot-4, 312-pound center may not be one of the top three offensive linemen off the board come April, but that surely doesn’t mean he won’t have an immediate impact at the next level.
Kiper, Miller, and Campbell all have Price listed as the top center prospect in this year’s class. Jeremiah wrote in December that Price is “one of the best center prospects I’ve seen in the past decade.”
The Minnesota Vikings selected Ohio State offensive lineman Pat Elflein in the third-round of last year’s draft, and the rookie center played a huge role in Minnesota’s offensive line’s turnaround.
Price is expected to be a better player at the next level, and Jeremiah writes that he was a “superior player on college tape.”
#1 – Notre Dame OG Quenton Nelson
Williams, Brown, or McGlinchey could be the first offensive lineman selected, but it’s clear Nelson is the best offensive line prospect in this year’s class.
Notre Dame’s 6-foot-5, 330-pound guard is arguably the Fighting Irish’s best prospect since Zack Martin. Nelson was Pro Football Focus’ highest graded guard in the nation and it wasn’t close.
Quenton Nelson finished the season as the highest graded guard across the nation - by a whopping 3.6 grade points over the next closest player. pic.twitter.com/TXKJV8tf4S
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 9, 2018
He is arguably the best player in this year’s draft class alongside Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, but his position could potentially force him to fall out of the top ten.
Zierlein compares Nelson with Hall of Famer Larry Allen, and the Notre Dame prospect received high praise from one NFC personnel executive, via NFL Network.
"“He’s so unique because he’s big, but he’s not fat. He’s one of the best run blockers I’ve ever evaluated, but he’s not a liability in pass protection Mike Iupati is. He’s also an alpha who can bring an a**-kicking mindset into your position room.”"
The G-Men are highly unlikely to take a guard at No. 2 overall. But that doesn’t mean Nelson’s not worth a top 10 selection should Big Blue trade back.