The big uglies went through their weigh-in and measurement session earlier today at the scouting combine in Indianapolis and courtesy of the Steelers Depot here are the basic numbers for this year’s offensive line class. In fact, there weren’t a whole lot of surprises in the measurables for the offensive linemen, although NFL personnel people may been a little disappointed that some of the top-rated OTs didn’t necessarily check off all the boxes. Jonah Williams of Alabama, for example, did weigh in at over 300 pounds , although just barely at 302, and has nice big 10″ hands, but he was a little shorter than expected at 6-4.5 and lacks elite length with just 33.5-inch arms. And that’s close to two full inches less that what teams look for in a prototype elite LT prospect. Of course, Williams still has a chance to show off his athleticism and polished technique at Friday’s on-field workout for the offensive linemen, but that lack of length almost certainly will have some teams thinking even more seriously about his as a potential OG rather than LT.
It was also interesting that the numbers for Washington State OT Andre Dillard from today’s weigh-in were remarkably similar to those of Alabama’s Williams. Dillard was a little taller at a full 6-5 and a few pounds heavier at 315; plus he also has those nice big 10″ hands, but like Williams, his arms only measured in the 33.5″ range. And it was a similar story for Wisconsin’s David Edwards who measured in at 6-6, but had arms actually slightly shorter than Williams and Dillard at under 33.5″. Edwards also only weighed in at 308, well below the 320-plus he played at last fall and that could be a little problematic for a guy considered to be more a drive-blocking RT prospect. Meanwhile, Washington’s Kaleb McGary initially looked the part at 6-7, 317, but again registered very short arms at under 33″. Other OT prospects who underwhelmed at the weigh-in included Northern Illinois’ Max Scharping (almost 6-6 and 327, but with those 33.5″ arms); Missouri’s Paul Adams (6-7, but with 33.5″ arms); and Alex Bars of Notre Dame (arms under 33″), Andre James of UCLA and Indiana’s Brandon Knight were just small overall for a potential pro OT.
On the other hand, a couple of other top OT prospects were able to tick off the length box as both Greg Little of Mississippi and Florida’s Jawaan Taylor registered 35-inch plus arms with both also weighing in at around 310 pounds. Meanwhile, other OTs who at least passed the eyeball test included Florida’s Martez Ivey (6-5, 313, with 36″ arms and 10’5″ hands); Ohio State’s Isaiah Prince (almost 6-6.5 with 35.5 inch arms and 10.5″ hands); Fred Johnson of Florida (6-7, 326 with 34″ arms and over 10.5 inch hands) and Oli Udoh of Elon (6-5.5, 323 with 35.5″ arms and 10-inch hands). Maybe the most imposing OT on the day, though, was Josh Miles of Morgan State who measured in at 6-5, 314 with 35-inch plus arms and over 10.5″ hands. if nothing else that should get NFL scouts heading back to watch more Morgan State game tape.
NFL teams were also intrigued by how several tweeners offensive linemen would fare at the measurement session. Southern California OT Chuma Edoga, who starred at last month’s Senior Bowl is still short at 6-3.5, but still has decent length with arms just under 35-inches. And there will still be questions about rising Oklahoma G/T Cody Ford, who some teams are reportedly starting to look at as a potential mid-first round RT prospect, but at 6-3.5, 330 with 34″ arms still looks more like an OG. Same story for Kansas C/T Dalton Risner who at 6-4.5, 312 with 34″ arms and 10-plus inch hands could pass out at tackle, but would impress physically inside.
At the same time, there wasn’t particularly remarkable about the interior offensive linemen with most of the top C and OG prospects checking off the boxes they needed to check off. However, there were a couple of red flags in that group. NC State C Garrett Bradbury showed off pretty big mitts (10.5 inches) but his sub-32″ arms will be a concern. Same for Arkansas OF Hjalte Froholdt whose arms were also under 32″, while Alabama C/G Ross Pierschbacher barely registered 32″ on that domain.
