A closer look: Offensive line

04.24.2007

DÉJÀ VU?

A year ago, Joe Thomas was rehabbing his torn ACL. Playing in Wisconsin's season opener at Cleveland Browns Stadium was his goal.

Thomas made it back, played the whole season, and is now the top offensive lineman -- and one of the top players, period -- in this draft. The question now becomes, will he again be preparing for a season opener in Cleveland, this time as a member of the Browns?

It's certainly possible. Thomas is thought to have elite left tackle skills and has said his goal is to hold down the all-important left tackle spot for whichever team drafts him for a very long time.

Early in the pre-draft process, it appeared as though Thomas would go to the Lions at No. 2 and the Browns wouldn't have a chance to draft him. Now, both the Lions and Browns are waiting to see what happens in front of them and what trade offers may come along. If Thomas gets past the Lions and the Browns he'll likely land with either the Bucs at 4 or the Cardinals at 5.

SWITCH PAYS BIG

Levi Brown came to Penn State as a defensive lineman, and he was determined to stay a defensive lineman. But after a redshirt year on the defensive side of the ball, Brown gave into coach Joe Paterno's wishes and switched to offense.

Turns out it was a pretty good move. Brown blossomed, became a four-year starter and is now on the verge of becoming a first-round draft pick -- probably somewhere between picks 10-20 Saturday. He and Thomas will come to like the way NFL teams pay their left tackles.

NFL scouts like Brown because he has long arms and quick feet to complement his 6-foot-5, 323-pound frame. He's athletic enough to handle edge rushers, proven against top college competition and smart, too. He has degrees from Penn State in psychology and in labor and industrial relations.

SIZING IT UP

Thomas, Brown and maybe Central Michigan's Joe Staley are regarded as first-round tackles. No interior linemen seem to sure-fire first-rounders, though it's hard to imagine Ben Grubbs not being picked somewhere in the 20-30 range.

Grubbs is another still-developing guard who was once a tight end and defensive lineman before settling in at guard and becoming a key part of the winningest senior class in Auburn's storied history. The first-year success of Pro Bowl tackle Marcus McNeill, Grubbs' college teammate, should help his cause as well.

USC's Ryan Kalil is the best of a relatively thin crop of centers. Kalil could go as high as 15 to the Steelers, who need a center, or could still be on the board when the Browns pick again at 36.

A couple of guard/tackle prospects, Texas' Justin Blalock and Tennessee's Arron Sears, come next on most pre-draft lists. Arkansas tackle Tony Ugoh isn't far behind.

ANOTHER MOVER

Andy Alleman switched schools first, then switched positions. And after just two years as a guard at Akron, he's now on the verge of being drafted in the first four rounds, and maybe on the draft's first day.

The athletic gifts and tireless work ethic that made Alleman a star defensive end/linebacker/fullback as a high school player at North Canton Hoover and Massillon High Schools in Stark County and landed him as a promising defensive end at Pitt have translated well in his move inside. He's visited several teams who like his potential to be a dominating guard with more refining of his skills.

THE BC PIPELINE

It seems as if Boston College offensive linemen are drafted and produce every year, and Josh Beekman and James Marten are looking to continue the trend.

Beekman is a proven commodity who has high-level college experience locking up defenders at both guard and center. He has good size, strength and smarts, and his ability to play more than one position should help him contribute early in his NFL career. Beekman started 10 games at guard and three at center for Boston College last fall, his third season as a starter.

Marten is a big, physical tackle prospect who moved from guard to tackle last year to replace Jeremy Trueblood, who was an immediate starter with Tampa Bay after being drafted in the second round last year.

FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES

Central Michigan's Drew Mormino is a late-round center prospect who can be sure that the eyes of the NFL have seen him plenty. Scouts by the dozens came to CMU last year to watch Staley and pass-rusher Dan Bauzin, and the Bengals drafted two Central Michigan offensive linemen, Eric Ghiaciuc and Adam Kieft, with back to back picks in 2005.

MORE TEAMMATES

Two Northeast Ohio natives who played on Ohio State's offensive line should hear their names called this weekend, center Doug Datish (Warren) and guard T.J. Downing (Canton). It's possible that Datish could play guard and Downing could be given a shot at center in the NFL.

Texas could have three offensive linemen drafted -- Blalock, Kasey Studdard and Lyle Sendlein.

Iowa's Marshal Yanda is a late-riser who can play both guard and tackle and could be a first day pick. Mike Jones could join him as a second-day selection.

Notre Dame's Ryan Harris is a true left tackle prospect, while Dan Santucci is a likely mid-round guard pick.

Hawaii's Samson Satele might be the second-best center in this draft. His teammate, Dane Uperesa, is a late-round tackle prospect.

Tim Duckworth started at guard opposite Grubbs at Auburn and is a likely Day Two pick.

TACKLING THE FUTURE

If the Browns don't get Thomas and want a mid-round tackle prospect, they could look to Harris, Northern Illinois' Doug Free or one of the best names in this year's draft pool, Jermon Bushrod of Towson.

OHIO ROOTS

Alleman will probably be the first Ohio-born lineman drafted, followed by Datish and Downing. Hoping to hear their names called later on Day Two are guard prospects Steve Vallos of Wake Forest (Boardman) and Ryan Keenan of Northwestern (Cleveland/St. Edward High School).