05-31-2017, 01:30 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-01-2017, 07:20 AM by BenderRodriguez.)
We're just one day away from the Season One NSFL Draft and the hype is real, folks. Mock drafts are flying in from all avenues of the media, and everyone is wondering where all the top prospects will end up. There is some serious talent at the top of most pundits draft boards; Josh Garden, Vincent Draxel, and Damien West are the names in most peoples' mouths this week.
Less common, however, are the names of the trench-dwellers. I'm talking, of course, of the meat bags in the front - the Offensive Lineman. I've searched far and wide and names like Ben Longshaw, Bender Rodriguez, Angus Winchester, and Daniel Robicheaux rarely make it into the third round of the most popular mock drafts, if they're on the board at all.
While this year's offensive line class certainly is not incredibly deep, especially when compared to positions such as Wide Receiver, the talent at the top is absolutely undeniable.
I'd like to make reference to a post by power-user BenLongshaw who identifies two philosophies on drafting offensive lineman. In a nutshell, there are those who think it's important to have a solid OL, and those who think it is not. Some are convinced that this game is indeed won in the trenches, and some who are more concerned with the flashier positions.
Indeed, both positions are intriguing and only time will tell how it will play out. However, I would like to suggest that the former opinion seems to be the best philosophy.
The offensive line is the heartbeat, the skeleton, and the lungs of the offense. Going into a season with UDFA lineman, or "just-a-guys" is like preparing to run a marathon with asthma, osteoporosis, and cholesterol-encrusted heart valves. The spirit may be willing, but the flesh is so weak. What good does your cannon arm quarterback do, if the opposing D-line is up in his grill 2 seconds after the snap? How effective will a deep threat WR be when the quarter back can't wait long enough for him to beat the DB? What kind of a star running back can beat the entire defensive line and linebacking core by himself?
GMs, if you're reading this, check out the DEs and DTs on your draft board. Go back and watch their game tape. Pretty impressive, huh? Well, I've got bad news for you. You can't have all of them, and the chances of you going against one of those top talents every week is pretty high. Now take a look at your OL draft board. Pretty light, yeah? How do you expect to go to battle against these defensive ends every week when your line is trying to be held together with an average guy on the left side and a bunch of nobodies filling in the rest?
In conclusion, I am positing the notion that SOMEBODY is going to end up with some good offensive line talent. What GM will outsmart the competition and build up his offensive from the inside? Which one will invest early and invest often in the trenches? One thing is for sure: he will benefit from this decision for years to come.
Less common, however, are the names of the trench-dwellers. I'm talking, of course, of the meat bags in the front - the Offensive Lineman. I've searched far and wide and names like Ben Longshaw, Bender Rodriguez, Angus Winchester, and Daniel Robicheaux rarely make it into the third round of the most popular mock drafts, if they're on the board at all.
While this year's offensive line class certainly is not incredibly deep, especially when compared to positions such as Wide Receiver, the talent at the top is absolutely undeniable.
I'd like to make reference to a post by power-user BenLongshaw who identifies two philosophies on drafting offensive lineman. In a nutshell, there are those who think it's important to have a solid OL, and those who think it is not. Some are convinced that this game is indeed won in the trenches, and some who are more concerned with the flashier positions.
Indeed, both positions are intriguing and only time will tell how it will play out. However, I would like to suggest that the former opinion seems to be the best philosophy.
The offensive line is the heartbeat, the skeleton, and the lungs of the offense. Going into a season with UDFA lineman, or "just-a-guys" is like preparing to run a marathon with asthma, osteoporosis, and cholesterol-encrusted heart valves. The spirit may be willing, but the flesh is so weak. What good does your cannon arm quarterback do, if the opposing D-line is up in his grill 2 seconds after the snap? How effective will a deep threat WR be when the quarter back can't wait long enough for him to beat the DB? What kind of a star running back can beat the entire defensive line and linebacking core by himself?
GMs, if you're reading this, check out the DEs and DTs on your draft board. Go back and watch their game tape. Pretty impressive, huh? Well, I've got bad news for you. You can't have all of them, and the chances of you going against one of those top talents every week is pretty high. Now take a look at your OL draft board. Pretty light, yeah? How do you expect to go to battle against these defensive ends every week when your line is trying to be held together with an average guy on the left side and a bunch of nobodies filling in the rest?
In conclusion, I am positing the notion that SOMEBODY is going to end up with some good offensive line talent. What GM will outsmart the competition and build up his offensive from the inside? Which one will invest early and invest often in the trenches? One thing is for sure: he will benefit from this decision for years to come.
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