With the first wave of free agency over, NFL teams are turning more attention to setting their boards in anticipation of the 2015 NFL Draft. With that in mind, College Football 24/7 is releasing Lance Zierlein's top-10 lists at each position -- today it is offensive linemen. To view Zierlein's full scouting report on each prospect in NFL.com's Draft Tracker, click on the player's name.
1. G Brandon Scherff, Iowa
Zierlein's bottom line: Like former Hawkeye Riley Reiff, Scherff has measurables and traits to play tackle in the league but might be better suited to play guard. More powerful than explosive, Scherff is not a scheme-specific talent and can maul or move in run game. Road-grader with pancake-man potential, but has holes in his pass protection that will be exposed on the next level -- especially at tackle.
2. OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
Zierlein's bottom line: Big and powerful with a right tackle's play strength and demeanor, but enough foot quickness to protect on the left side. Peat has the physical tools to be an upper-echelon run blocker with pass-protection ability, but he needs to improve his technique in order to protect with consistency. Peat has been well-coached and is one of the most game-ready offensive linemen in this year's draft.
3. OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
Zierlein's bottom line: Like veteran Houston Texans tackle Duane Brown, Clemmings played high school basketball and was a late switch to the offensive tackle position in college. There are holes in his protection technique and he must learn to trust his feet. Clemmings will continue to learn the position and improve. He has the physical traits to become a Pro Bowl left tackle if he can handle the move to that side. Confidence could become an issue with his pass protection unless he develops selective amnesia when beaten.
4. OT D.J. Humphries, Florida
Zierlein's bottom line: An elite-level tackle when he exited the high school ranks, Humphries relies on his superior athleticism and fist-fight mentality rather than an improved skill set and steady technique. He might always have an issue with being a leaner, but his hand placement should improve with more work and coaching. When he improves in that area, he could become a solid NFL starter on the left side.
5. OT La'el Collins, LSU
Zierlein's bottom line: Brawling right tackle or guard prospect in the NFL who has had a level of success in the hyper-competitive SEC West. Lacks athleticism to be a consistent left tackle, despite his snaps there in college. Collins plays with a mean streak that is evident in every game, and could come in and start right away in a power-running game as a guard.
6. OT Ereck Flowers, Miami
Zierlein's bottom line: While they have different body types, Flowers will have some of the same strengths and flaws 2014 first-round pick Greg Robinson had coming in. Flowers has the size, feet and talent to be a very good left tackle, but he will be a work in progress unless he can eliminate some of the balance issues that could plague him.
7. OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
Zierlein's bottom line: NFL evaluators are very worried about Ogbuehi's core strength and ability to anchor in pass protection, but some of his anchor issues could be improved with technique work -- especially where his hands are concerned. He should be a plus run blocker, especially on stretch plays, but needs to add strength and work on technique if he is to reach his play potential. Ogbuehi's bowl-game injury (torn ACL) could hurt his draft standing, but his traits and potential might be able to keep him in the first round.
8. G A.J. Cann, South Carolina
Zierlein's bottom line: Consistent four-year starter for the Gamecocks. He has technique issues that need to be coached up in pass protection, but he also has the talent to improve in that area. Powerful drive-blocker who uses leverage to fire out and generate instant movement in tight spaces. He is best-suited to a power scheme. Cann has the plug-and-play traits that could make him an instant starter.
9. G Tre' Jackson, Florida State
Zierlein's bottom line: Three-year starter on a line full of wide-bodies, Jackson entered the 2014 season as one of the top-rated guard prospects, but failed to distinguish himself. Has the talent to be a dependable, quality NFL starter, but he needs to work on weight and conditioning in order to improve his feet and reach his potential.
10. OT Rob Havenstein, Wisconsin
Zierlein's bottom line: Three-year starter who doesn't look the part in his uniform, but teams should worry more about how the dish tastes rather than how it is plated. With surprising feet to pair with good length and balance, Havenstein has the tools to be a starting right tackle in the league. He will be adequate when asked to zone block, but he can fire out and use his hips to leverage defenders out of run lanes.
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