Rankings and analysis for the top offensive linemen in the 2020 NFL Draft

In the third tier of offensive line prospects for the 2020 NFL Draft, teams can find players that will definitely bring something to the table but may not be sure-fire starters right away.

21. Robert Hunt, Louisiana-Lafayette

Robert Hunt has experience at both guard and tackle at Louisiana-Lafayette, but his future is likely at guard at the next level. Hunt is a force in the run game with strong hands and powerful drive. He is effective at turning defenders to open holes.

In pass protection, Hunt doesn’t quite have the length and agility to be an effective tackle. When pass rushers pushed the edge and forced Hunt onto an island, he left himself very susceptible to inside counter moves. By bumping in to guard, Hunt can still use some of the pass pro qualities learned at tackle but won’t often be forced out in space.

He has strong hands that he uses well and has a powerful base. Hunt is a decent mover but is better at rolling downhill to the second level or turning out his blocks than really moving laterally.

Hunt has some versatility to him, able to play at tackle or guard and having the traits to get by in nearly any offensive scheme. I think he fits best as a gap scheme guard that could develop into a legitimate NFL starter on the offensive line out of the 2020 NFL Draft.

22. Kevin Dotson, Louisiana-Lafayette

Kevin Dotson is an absolute mauler. He is very powerful throughout his large, filled frame and can move mountains in the run game. He is an okay mover but is most effective when he can fire out of his stance and quickly get his hands on his opponent. He has very strong hands and a powerful core to handle pass rushers and to make impactful drive blocks as a run blocker.

When he is able to work downhill, he delivers bruising one-timers and dominant, sustained blocks down the field. Dotson is a bit scheme-specific in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he has the makings to excel as a starting guard in a gap scheme, run-first offense in the NFL.

23. Alex Taylor, South Carolina State

Alex Taylor is a raw but very promising tackle prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft. With a background in basketball and just a brief history of playing football, Taylor is incredibly athletic but still has a lot to learn. He has optimal NFL tackle size and length with a good blend of strength and athleticism.

In pass sets, Taylor is very impressive with his lateral quickness and long arms, staying in front of rushers. His footwork at this stage in his playing career is already impressive and he will only get more technically sound with NFL level coaching, something he did not receive at his small school of South Carolina State.

As a run blocker, Taylor is very good at turning defenders to create holes. He has potential as a very effective mover on pulls and screens and has the size to dominate man on man as he continues to fill out his frame.

Alex Taylor has great potential as a tackle prospect at the next level. He would benefit from being drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft by a team with solid starting tackles in place, allowing him to take time to develop and to learn from them, as well as his coaches.

24. Cameron Clark, Charlotte

Cameron Clark is a very promising tackle prospect from the small school of Charlotte. He was a two-year captain and three-year starter at left tackle and is a dominant force in both the run and pass game.

As a run blocker, Clark excels at getting out of his stance quickly, getting his hands on his opponent and turning them out to create a hole to his inside. He is very effective once engaged, driving his legs and moving the defender back and usually all the way to the ground. He’s not a great mover, so he would likely be more effective in a gap run scheme than a zone-blocking scheme. As a run blocker, Clark has some guard traits. But his effectiveness as a pass blocker leads me to believe that he has a future as a tackle.

Maybe on the right side, but tackle nonetheless. He generally has good footwork and technique. He’s not the most agile, so he is a bit susceptible to some inside and counter moves. But overall, Clark is effective in pass protection, with long arms, strong hands and a powerful base. Cameron Clark has the makings to be an under-the-radar starting-caliber tackle prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft.

25. Netane Muti, Fresno State

When on the field, Netane Muti is a real mauler in the run game. After seeing him knockout 44 reps on the bench press, the tape backs up Muti’s upper body strength. He has very controlling hands and uses his upper body strength to manipulate defenders to open holes in the run game and to control them in pass protection.

Muti will struggle at the next level against more shifty defenders that will make it difficult for him to get his hands on them. He isn’t fleet of foot laterally and that could hurt him in pass protection. He isn’t much of a mover, really just moving down the field to the second level. Muti thrives when he can fire out and get his hands on his opponent, giving him control at the point of attack.

Muti will excel as a power blocker in a gap scheme in the NFL if he can prove that he can stay healthy. Muti played just one full college season, redshirting his freshman season with an Achilles injury, tore his Achilles after two games in 2018 and started three games in 2019 before missing the remainder of the season with a Lisfranc injury.

People may be letting Muti’s bench press performance and some eye-popping blocking ability on tape overshadow the fact that the best ability is availability. Medicals will be a real issue this year, so unless he is clear as glass, teams may assume he is made of it and steer clear despite his very promising potential.

26. Michael Onenwu, Michigan

At 6-foot-3 and 344 lbs, Michael Onwenu is a thick and compact force on the inside. He is wide and has great length for a guard. He uses that length and a strong upper body very well in pass protection and as a run blocker.

Once he gets his hands engaged, the defender seems helpless. He can hold his defender in one spot in pass pro and turn or drive them back if he’s looking to open a hole in the run game. Even with his strong core and powerful base, Onwenu can get a little top-heavy and show too much lean that will be taken advantage of at the next level.

Onwenu moves fairly well for his size but would be much more effective at the next level in a straight gap scheme where he can fire out and quickly engage and drive the man in front of him. There are some technical things about his game that he could clean up, but overall, I really like Onwenu as a scheme-specific but starting-caliber guard in the NFL.

27. Isaiah Wilson, Georgia

Isaiah Wilson is really The Incredible Hulk playing tackle. He is huge with a 6-foot-6 and 350 lb body. He is fairly athletic for his size but has a tendency to over-lean, especially in pass protection.

He is good at using the defender’s momentum to his advantage, using his long, powerful limbs to guide defenders past the quarterback. Wilson often stands straight up and allows defenders to get their hands on him instead of the other way around and is highly susceptible to counters and inside moves.

He really needs to improve his footwork and technique as a pass blocker, no doubt. For as big and strong as he is I’d like to see Wilson be a bit more dominant in the run game. He shows flashes but too often he gets stood up or completely whiffs. He’s best when able to double team and down block to open up more outside runs.

Isaiah Wilson has the body, athletic traits and some promising football traits to have good potential at the next level. His size and power will certainly intrigue some teams, and he is rumored to be possibly off the board in the first round. That is far too rich for my blood given his inconsistencies and very low floor, but his ceiling may be worth the risk for a team early in the 2020 NFL Draft.

28. Ben Bartch, St. John’s (MIN)

Ben Bartch is a very raw left tackle prospect after switching from tight end following his freshman season. He obviously put on a good bit of weight after switching positions, but he still lacks NFL-caliber strength. But as a former tight end, he definitely moves well and is very athletic.

He is quick to get out of his stance and into his shuffle and is agile to stay in front of speed rushers. He is good at using the defender’s momentum against them when trying to take the edge, shoving them to the ground. But at times he is so quick to get out and guard the edge that he can open himself up to being beat on the inside.

St. John’s seemed to operate a pass-heavy offense, so there aren’t a ton of run blocking reps to watch of Bartch. But from what I saw, he seems to be decently effective as a run blocker. Obviously, with his athleticism, he would be a good mover and puller and can hold his own in straight run blocking duties.

Bartch is still very raw in my eyes but does show flashes of good potential. He isn’t quite as long as some other promising prospects but his athleticism is definitely an asset. If he can continue to fill out his frame and work out the kinks in his game, Bartch may be able to be a starting-caliber left tackle. It will be interesting to see how he fares against NFL talent on the edge, but unlike some evaluators, I don’t think he’s quite a plug-and-play option at this point.

29. Ben Bredeson, Michigan

Ben Bredeson is a very solid guard prospect who is average or above average across the board. He excels with quick bursts of power and moving downhill in the run game.

Pass protection is an area that he could improve, as both quicker inside rushers can get by him early in the play and powerful rushers can break loose from his block if the play is prolonged. But he is good out of stance and a very good run blocker, easily turning defenders to open holes. He has strong hands and arms and is able to drive with his lower body once he gets those hands on a defender. He is a serviceable mover at times, but that is certainly not a strength of his.

Bredeson should become a serviceable starter as an NFL guard, especially in a downhill, running attack offensive scheme. He has areas to improve and may not start right away, but he has the leadership and toughness that a team wants and should make the necessary adjustments to succeed at the next level.

30. Saahdiq Charles, LSU

Saahdiq Charles protected Joe Burrow’s blindside for most of LSU’s outstanding season in 2019. I say most because he missed six games this past season due to disciplinary actions, and he missed three games the season before due to injury. Those are definitely red flags that will need to be vetted before Charles is drafted.

Charles is currently a tackle, but I think his future may be at guard if he is going to thrive at the next level. In pass protection as a tackle, Charles is usually pretty effective, but he is much more of a catcher than an aggressor. He often gets beat quickly to the edge off the snap, sometimes slow to get out of his stance, and then panics a bit instead of trying to get back there and recover. He is generally smart and effective against counter moves and blitzers and got the job done in the SEC against some of the best competition in the nation.

He has strong hands and is very athletic (5.05 40), allowing him to be very effective as a run blocker. In the run game, he is very effective at engaging and turning defenders. At 6-foot-4, 321 lbs and with only 33-inch arms, Charles looks more like a guard to me, and that may be his best fit. But that is the case with many tackle prospects, and everyone can’t move to guard. Charles shows enough potential and has a sufficient level of production at tackle to warrant a shot there first, with a move to guard more as a fail-safe should tackle not pan out.

31. Scott Frantz, Kansas State

Scott Frantz is a very powerful left tackle who delivers quite the punch off the snap. Whether it is in the run game or as a pass blocker, Frantz excels when he is able to beat his opponent to the bunch and controls the point of attack.

As a run blocker, Frantz has good size and power and is very good at turning defenders to open run lanes. In pass protection, Frantz struggles the longer the play goes. He is great in the short term, but not nearly as effective against counter moves or sustained direct power straight through his body. If a defender is able to keep Frantz from getting his hands on them, they have a good chance at success.

Therefore, I see Frantz as an effective tackle (on either side) in a more run-heavy or quick-hitting passing attack. Prolonged play action roll outs and vertical passing games that take time to develop will not bode well for Frantz. But in the right situation, I think Frantz has the potential to be a starting tackle in the NFL.

32. Tyre Phillips, Mississippi State

After spending time at Last Chance U’s East Mississippi Community College, Tyre Phillips went to Mississippi State and eventually became the team’s starting left tackle in 2019. Phillips was a guard at EMCC and many view him as such at the next level, but he has tackle size at 6-foot-5, 331 lbs and over 35-inch arms.

He is still raw as a tackle, but I think the potential is there. He shows glimpses of very sound pass sets, mirroring rushers very impressively in his drop. He has very strong hands to hold defenders where they are but could improve his hand placement. He is wide with a strong base, making it difficult for any rushers to get by him, or especially through him. In the run game, Phillips uses those hands and his base well, standing up defenders and turning them to open up running lanes.

I’d like to see him be an even more effective drive blocker with his size and power, as he doesn’t offer much as a mover. Some want to move him back to guard, but I think he should get a chance at tackle. With some time to grow, learn and develop, I could see Tyre Phillips as a dominant right tackle in a gap running scheme.

33. Jon Runyan, Michigan

Jon Runyan, son of former Eagles great, has the makings to carve out a serious NFL career of his own. He played left tackle for the Wolverines, holding his own against some of the most talented pass rushers in the nation that resided in the Big Ten, despite less-than-optimal size and length for a tackle.

His future is at guard in the NFL, but his experience at tackle will benefit him greatly. His pass protection will be very useful as a guard. Even at tackle, Runyan was never the most fleet of foot in his drop and struggled to mirror speed rushers. Inside, Runyan will be able to use his experience to disrupt most interior rushers with ease.

He is very smart and has great instincts, and being inside at guard will help mask some of his physical limitations. As a run blocker, Runyan has a powerful lower body and is effective at turning and driving his opponents. His 5.08 40 and sub-8.00 second 3-cone drill show his promise as a short-space mover who could excel as a puller in a zone run scheme.

Runyan is rather scheme diverse and has the potential to start at multiple positions on the offensive line. He doesn’t have quite the ceiling that other prospects, but his floor is rather high and could be a viable starter early in his NFL career.

34. Tremayne Anchrum, Clemson

After playing right tackle throughout his Clemson career, Tremayne Anchrum will likely have to move to guard in the NFL due to his lack of desired tackle height and length.

Anchrum was very effective for Clemson, using his solid base to hold his ground in pass protection and move defenders in the run game. Despite his lack of length, Anchrum had good footwork and strong hands to keep even the best pass rushers at bay.

He stays with his blocks, riding defenders back well past the quarterback. He delivers a powerful pop when able to move downhill in the run game and turns defenders with relative ease.

Anchrum was very good at tackle for Clemson and can use a lot of what he learned with his move inside. He has the size, strength and athleticism to be a scheme diverse guard at the next level, with starting ability down the road once he is able to comfortably make the transition.

35. Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon

Calvin Throckmorton was a very versatile lineman at Oregon, and will likely play a similar part at the next level. Seeing time at four of the five offensive line spots, Throckmorton can fill in anywhere on the line.

Interestingly enough, the position he has the least experience is where I think he plays if he cracks the starting lineup as a pro. Playing primarily right tackle, a little at left tackle, two games at center and just one at right guard, Throckmorton is best suited as a man blocking guard at the next level.

He does not have the desired size or length to be a starting NFL tackle and has the power and toughness to succeed inside. He isn’t a great mover, so he is a bit scheme-specific, but is very effective as a run blocker and in pass protection. He has great strength and power throughout his body, from his legs to his core to his arms. He struggles against speed and quickness, particularly in pass pro, but displays sound technique despite his physical limitations.

Calvin Throckmorton has the strength and ability to become a starter in some capacity at the next level, but his physical limitations may render him to a versatile, sixth lineman role, using his diverse background to fill in wherever and whenever needed.

36. Trey Adams, Washington

Trey Adams is a very interesting tackle prospect. Once viewed as a potential top tackle in the draft a year or two ago, injuries have absolutely plagued his career aspirations. After a torn ACL and a bulging disk in his back, Adams is not the player he once was. Furthermore, Adams did himself no favors at the combine, running incredibly slow in the 40 and performing poorly in nearly all testing. Also giving an inappropriate and eye-popping answer to the media when he was asked what he would change about himself.

Adams did come back from his injuries to play every game in 2019, and still showed signs of his old self. Despite his poor testing, Adams still seemed to move fairly well in the open field. He has good looking pass sets, exhibiting solid form and technique. In the run game, he is effective when he can get downhill and be the aggressor. But where Adams really struggles following his injuries is against power. A simple bull rush easily puts Adams on his back, and he struggles against elite speed moves as well.

Through injuries and through some help of his own, Trey Adams has fallen greatly from where he was once viewed. And with everything going on preventing teams from getting desired medical feedback, Adams will be lucky if a team decides to give him a chance to prove that he can stay healthy, has his head on straight and is at least reminiscent of what he once was in college at the next level.

37. Shane Lemieux, Oregon

While others moved around to fill spots of need for the Ducks, Shane Lemieux has been a staple at left guard for the Oregon offensive line for four years, starting all 52 career games there.

Lemieux doesn’t always stay square to his defender, but that’s not always a bad thing. He loves to use the defender’s aggressiveness and momentum against them, throwing them to the ground or out of the play. However, Lemieux’s punch and recover mentality can get him in trouble at times, leaving lanes open for penetration, especially in pass protection.

As a run blocker, Lemieux is generally pretty effective with powerful hands and a strong upper body. He must improve his technique and his anchor as a pass protector if he wants to succeed on all three downs at the next level. Overall, Shane Lemieux is a dominant, scheme-diverse run blocker with some promise at the next level if he can correct some technical issues with his game.