2016 NFL Draft offensive tackle rankings: Laremy Tunsil among a handful of 1st rounders

Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil is expected to be the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and for good reason. He headlines a solid offensive tackle class that has him followed directly by Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley, Jack Conklin of Michigan State, Taylor Decker of Ohio State and Jason Spriggs of Indiana. All five of those players could be first-round picks, showing the sheer importance of the position.

Tunsil is No. 1 at the position in a landslide. He’s the most gifted offensive tackle to enter the draft since Tyron Smith in 2011, and that’s the player he most resembles stylistically in the pros. When Tunsil is on the field, he’s a natural. He moves around effortlessly thanks to his light feet and quick hands to redirect defenders. One thing to always watch with offensive linemen is how square and balanced they block, and Tunsil is a master in that area. That allows him to maintain leverage and not give an end an angle to exploit. Tunsil has had some injury issues, though, and a few off-field mixups including being suspended seven games last season for accepting impermissible benefits. If he somehow isn’t the first pick, those are the reasons why. He’s an otherwise elite tackle prospect.

Stanley may actually have the edge on Tunsil regarding pass protection. He’s a little bit lighter on his feet and can mirror edge rushers before blocking them out of the play. Stanley has impressive arm length and he knows how to use it properly to get inside defenders and wall them off. He plays with a good motor as well, and often maintains a wide base. Stanley does have an issue where he’ll get high in his stance, and that exposes him to defenders who can then push him backward.

Conklin and Decker are two traditional gritty and nasty blockers on the outside. Conklin in particular knows how to use his strength to maul defenders. He could start his career at guard thanks to his run blocking, but he could stick at left tackle. Decker might be more of a right tackle because of his just average foot quickness. But when he gets his hands on a defender, look out. Spriggs is a good finesse blocker, and that’s not an insult. He moves around just as well as Tunsil and Stanley and could stick on the left side for that reason. If he can get stronger, he could project out higher as a pro than his Big Ten cohorts.

Le’Raven Clark of Texas Tech is another tackle who could start at guard in the NFL. He has experience inside and outside and relies on his arm length and bulk to win blocks. Germain Ifedi has that experience as well, starting at both right tackle and guard at Texas A&M. He can move around well to create a natural pocket, so he should be able to stick on the outside.

Day 3 gem: Carson Wentz gets all the headlines, but Joe Haeg was a consistent force at North Dakota State. He started an incredible 60 games, finding time on both the right and left side. That versatility is valuable on the third day of the draft. He’s an athletic blocker who plays with the instincts you’d expect out of someone at the position.

Overall position grade: B+

As a whole, this class of offensive tackles may lack many true left tackles, but it should put several starters in the league. Tunsil and Stanley obviously lead the way, but the three Big Ten players could step into starting lineups as rookies. If a players like Jerald Hawkins of LSU and Willie Beavers of Western Michigan develop like some expect, this could be looked back on as a top tackle group.