NFL Draft position preview: Offensive linemen

Overview

A handful of offensive tackles are in the first-round mix, including Andrus Peat, T.J. Clemmings, La’el Collins, D.J. Humphries and Ereck Flowers. But a drop-off occurs after the top-40 picks. The interior line won’t be well represented on Day 1, but quality depth at guard and center can be found starting in the second round.

Cowboys’ needs

After using three first-round picks on offensive linemen since 2011, the Cowboys have built arguably the league’s best line. Zack Martin, who had never played guard until the Cowboys moved him there after drafting him 16th overall last year, made Pro Bowl honors at right guard as a rookie. He was joined in the Pro Bowl by center Travis Frederick and left tackle Tyron Smith. Although Smith didn’t have his best season, allowing six sacks with two holding penalties, he still made All-Pro. The Cowboys kept their starting line intact by re-signing right tackle Doug Free to a three-year, $15 million deal and left guard Ron Leary to a one-year, $585,000 deal.

Top three OT

Andrus Peat, Stanford, 6-7, 313, 5.18 in 40: He made 27 career starts at left tackle.

T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh, 6-5, 309, 5.14: He made 26 career starts at right tackle.

La’el Collins, LSU, 6-4, 305, 5.12: He made 25 starts at left tackle and 13 at left guard.

Top three OG

Brandon Scherff, Iowa, 6-5, 319, 5.05: Although he made 33 starts at left tackle and three at left guard, Scherff projects as a guard in the NFL.

A.J. Cann, South Carolina, 6-3, 313, 5.45: He made 51 career starts at left guard.

Ali Marpet, Hobart (N.Y.), 6-4, 307, 4.98: He made 37 career starts and allowed no sacks last season, earning an invite to the Senior Bowl.

Top C

Cameron Erving, Florida State, 6-5, 313, 5.15: He made 37 starts at left tackle and only five at center but projects as a center in the NFL.

Sleeper

Kendall Lamm, Appalachian State, 6-5, 303, 5.08: He made 42 career starts at left tackle and allowed only one sack in each of his last three seasons.

Top Texas ties

Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M, 6-5, 306, NA: The Allen product, still rehabbing from ACL surgery, could go in the second round after making 18 starts at right guard, 13 at right tackle, 11 at left tackle and one at left guard.

Daryl Williams, Oklahoma, 6-5, 327, 5.34: The Lake Dallas product, a possible third-rounder, started 36 games at right tackle and one at left tackle.

Antoine Everett, McNeese State, 6-2, 328, NA: The Lamar Consolidated product, projected as a fourth-rounder, made 23 career starts at left tackle.

Jarvis Harrison, Texas A&M, 6-4, 330, 5.19: Harrison, projected as a fourth-rounder, started 33 games at left guard and four at left tackle.

Mitch Morse, Missouri, 6-5, 305, 5.14: The Austin St. Michael’s Academy product, projected as a fourth-round choice, had 18 starts at right tackle, 14 at left tackle and seven at center.

Tayo Fabuluje, TCU, 6-6, 353, 5.55: The Arlington Oakridge product, projected as a fifth-rounder, made 22 starts at left tackle and two at right tackle.

Tyrus Thompson, Oklahoma, 6-5, 324, 5.30: The Pflugerville product, projected as a fifth-rounder, started 26 games at left tackle and three at right tackle.

Adam Shead, Oklahoma, 6-4, 338, 5.74: The Cedar Hill product, projected as a late-round pick, had 40 career starts at left guard.

This story was originally published April 19, 2015 at 4:42 PM with the headline "NFL Draft position preview: Offensive linemen."