2011 NFL Draft: Top 10 Offensive Linemen Prospects

For the NFL teams looking to upgrade at the offensive line position, there are a handful of really good prospects in the 2011 NFL Draft. There are five or six O-linemen in this draft who could be elite players and a few that could be long-time starters. The players mentioned on this list all have the ability to start as rookies for their respective teams.

2011 NFL Draft Top 10 Offensive Lineman Prospects:

1) Tyron Smith, USC (OT)

2) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College (OT)

3) Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin (OT)

4) Mike Pouncey, Florida (OG/C)
  
5) Derek Sherrod, Mississippi St. (OT)

6) Nate Solder, Colorado (OT)

7) Benjamin Ijalana, Villanova (OG)

8) Orlando Franklin, Miami (FL) (OT)

9) Stefen Wisniewski, Penn St. (C/OG)

10) James Carpenter, Alabama (OT)

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Danny Watkins

Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor (HT: 6'3" 310 lbs.)

Positives: He has good strength and plays with good leverage. He's a very good run blocker and does a good job of pulling and getting to the second level. He has solid arm extension and packs a solid punch. He's very physical and plays with a mean streak.

Negatives: He's 26-years-old, which makes him the oldest rookie in the draft. He needs to work on his passing blocking. He has a tendency to stand upright and get knocked backwards.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: James Carpenter

James Carpenter, Alabama (OT) (6'4" 325 lbs.)

Positives: He's a fluid player for a big guy and shows great agility. He's a solid pass protector and does a good job of holding blocks. He has very good hands and does a good job of keeping defenders in front of him.

Negatives: He's an average run blocker. He doesn't attack defenders and sometimes plays too high. He needs to work on his footwork and lacks the awareness to get to the second level. A knee injury at the NFL Combine might affect his draft stock.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Stefen Wisniewski

Stefen Wisniewski, Penn St. (C/OG) (6'3" 315 lbs.)

Positives: He's the best center in the draft. He's athletic and has a high football I.Q. He's a good pass blocker and does a good job of getting off the ball with power. He is a solid pass blocker and has shown solid footwork. He's also a very good run blocker and has strength to move bigger defenders. He's a high character player. His father (Leo) and uncle (Steve) both played in the NFL.

Negatives: He has a tendency to lunge at defenders. He needs to work on more consistent footwork. He has had a history of injuries.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Orlando Franklin

Orlando Franklin, Miami (FL) (6'5" 320 lbs.)

Positives: He's a good athlete for a big guy and has solid footwork. He has the strength to hold his ground in the passing game and is a very solid run blocker. He has the agility to pull and get to the second level. He plays aggressive and can fit in at either guard or tackle.

Negatives: He's not very quick and has a tendency to get beaten by faster pass rushers. He doesn't have great hands and usually lets the defender make first contact. He has trouble staying low and can be easily pushed backwards. He recently had knee surgery.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Benjamin Ijalana

Benjamin Ijalana, Villanova (6'3" 315 lbs.)

Positives: He has good size for an interior lineman and plays with power. He's a solid run blocker and moves his feet well after contact. He does a good job of getting to the second level and has good feet when pulling. He's a good pass blocker and does a good job holding blocks. He will be able to play most positions on the offensive line.

Negatives: He has a tendency to get too upright at times and gets beaten in pass protection. He doesn't play with much physicality. He's coming off sports hernia surgery.

2011 NFL free agent offensive linemen

-Tyson Clabo (ATL)
-Doug Free (DAL)
-Jared Gaither (BAL)
-Jammal Brown (WAS)
-Matt Light (NE)
-Jermon Bushrod (NO)
-Willie Colon (PIT)
-Alex Barron (DAL)
-Ryan Harris (DEN)
-Corey Hilliard (DET)
-Rashad Butler (HOU)
-Charlie Johnson (IND)
-Ryan O'Callaghan (KC)
-Pat McQuistan (MIA)
-Ryan Cook (MIN)
-Zach Strief (NO)
-Wayne Hunter (NYJ)
-Khalif Barnes (OAK)
-Langston Walker (OAK)
-Mario Henderson (OAK)
-Trai Essex (PIT)
-Jonathan Scott (PIT)
-Jeromey Clary (SD)
-Barry Sims (SF)
-Sean Locklear (SEA)
-Adam Goldberg (STL)
-John Greco (STL)
-Jeremy Trueblood (TB)
-Stephon Heyer (WAS)

Interior Offensive Linemen:
-Carl Nicks (NO)
-Logan Mankins (NE)
-Davin Joseph (TB)
-Harvey Dahl (ATL)
-Ryan Kalil (CAR)
-Daryn Colledge (GB)
-Alan Faneca (ARZ)
-Deuce Lutui (ARZ)
-Lyle Sendlein (ARZ)
-Justin Blalock (ATL)
-Chris Chester (BAL)
-Marshal Yanda (BAL)
-Olin Kreutz (CHI)
-Evan Mathis (CIN)
-Kyle Cook (CIN)
-Nate Livings (CIN)
-Kyle Kosier (DAL)
-Jason Spitz (GB)
-Kasey Studdard (HOU)
-Mike Brisiel (HOU)
-Kyle DeVan (IND)
-Mike Pollak (IND)
-Rudy Niswanger (KC)
-Casey Wiegmann (KC)
-Richie Incognito (MIA)
-Nate Garner (MIA)
-Jonathan Goodwin (NO)
-Kevin Boothe (NYG)
-Samson Satele (OAK)
-Reggie Wells (PHI)
-Scott Mruczkowski (SD)
-David Baas (SF)
-Chris Spencer (SEA)
-Leroy Harris (TEN)
-Will Montgomery (WAS)

Free agents by position: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, LB, CB, S