Gil Brandt's top 5 senior OTs

Three of the first four picks in the 2013 NFL Draft were offensive tackles. And for the second consecutive year, the strength of the NFL draft might be at the offensive tackle position. These players seem to get bigger and faster, and with longer arms, every year. Arm length, good hand placement and quick feet are essential for an offensive tackle to be successful in the NFL. -- Gil Brandt (follow on Twitter @gil_brandt)

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Gil Brandt's top five college football senior offensive tackles

Three of the first four picks in the 2013 NFL Draft were offensive tackles. And for the second consecutive year, the strength of the NFL draft might be at the offensive tackle position. These players seem to get bigger and faster, and with longer arms, every year. Arm length, good hand placement and quick feet are essential for an offensive tackle to be successful in the NFL.

-- Gil Brandt (follow on Twitter @gil_brandt)

The 6-foot-5 1/2, 310-pound Matthews is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame lineman Bruce Matthews. Matthews, the son, elected to stay in school rather than leave early for the NFL draft. This decision can help his professional prospects tremendously. Matthews -- a good athlete with long arms, quick feet and a 5.1-second 40-yard dash time -- will play left tackle this season (assuming the spot vacated by No. 2 overall draft pick Luke Joeckel). The position switch will help increase Matthews' draft value. (Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports)

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1. Jake Matthews, Texas A&M

The 6-foot-5 1/2, 310-pound Matthews is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame lineman Bruce Matthews. Matthews, the son, elected to stay in school rather than leave early for the NFL draft. This decision can help his professional prospects tremendously. Matthews -- a good athlete with long arms, quick feet and a 5.1-second 40-yard dash time -- will play left tackle this season (assuming the spot vacated by No. 2 overall draft pick Luke Joeckel). The position switch will help increase Matthews' draft value. (Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports)

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports/Tim Heitman

The 6-foot-7 1/2, 315-pound Lewan is another player who opted to stay in school rather than leave for the NFL a season early. Lewan runs the 40-yard dash in 5.2 seconds, and while he doesn't have real long arms (33 1/2 inches), he is very smart and athletic. When Lewan fell on a fumble in the end zone in a game against Massachusetts last season, he became the first Wolverine lineman to score a touchdown since 1948.

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2. Taylor Lewan, Michigan

The 6-foot-7 1/2, 315-pound Lewan is another player who opted to stay in school rather than leave for the NFL a season early. Lewan runs the 40-yard dash in 5.2 seconds, and while he doesn't have real long arms (33 1/2 inches), he is very smart and athletic. When Lewan fell on a fumble in the end zone in a game against Massachusetts last season, he became the first Wolverine lineman to score a touchdown since 1948.

The 6-foot-7, 340-pound Henderson plays right tackle and improved greatly over the last half of the 2012 season, not allowing a single sack in the Hurricanes' final eight games. Henderson -- who runs the 40-yard dash in 5.0 seconds -- was a highly touted high school player from Minnesota, earning high school lineman of the year honors. He had originally commited to USC before deciding to attend Miami instead. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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3. Seantrel Henderson, Miami (Fla.)

The 6-foot-7, 340-pound Henderson plays right tackle and improved greatly over the last half of the 2012 season, not allowing a single sack in the Hurricanes' final eight games. Henderson -- who runs the 40-yard dash in 5.0 seconds -- was a highly touted high school player from Minnesota, earning high school lineman of the year honors. He had originally commited to USC before deciding to attend Miami instead. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Lynne Sladky/AP2012

The 6-foot-4 1/2, 316-pound Martin has played both left tackle and right tackle at Notre Dame. Martin -- a three-year starter for the Fighting Irish -- runs the 40-yard dash in 5.25 seconds, has long arms and good feet. His father, a lawyer, works for the NCAA. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

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4. Zack Martin, Notre Dame

The 6-foot-4 1/2, 316-pound Martin has played both left tackle and right tackle at Notre Dame. Martin -- a three-year starter for the Fighting Irish -- runs the 40-yard dash in 5.25 seconds, has long arms and good feet. His father, a lawyer, works for the NCAA. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports/Matthew Emmons

The 6-foot-6, 305-pound Mewhort runs the 40-yard dash in 5.25 seconds, is a solid player; a good run blocker with high character and intelligence. Mewhort plays left tackle and started at guard for the Buckeyes as a true freshman. (Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)

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5. Jack Mewhort, Ohio State

The 6-foot-6, 305-pound Mewhort runs the 40-yard dash in 5.25 seconds, is a solid player; a good run blocker with high character and intelligence. Mewhort plays left tackle and started at guard for the Buckeyes as a true freshman. (Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports/Jeff Hanisch

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