Detroit Lions Draft Preview Tackle

Lions waived Rick Wagner with 2 years left on his contract. Signed Big V to 5 year contract. Have Taylor Decker on his 5th year option. Tyrell Crosby and Dan Skipper are back ups. This is a very good year for Tackles.

Jedrick Wills Alabama 6042 312 5.05 34.5 905 4.84 7 Top 10
20 years old. 29 game starter at Right Tackle. Tua was lefty so he was a blind side blocker. Good pass protector. Great run blocker. Day 1 starter.

Tristan Wirfs Iowa 6047 320 4.85 24 36.5" 1001 7.65 4.68 7 Top 10
Well regarded all season then blew up the combine. started 33 games at Iowa most at right tackle. His measurables pushed him the board. Some project him at guard.

Mekhi Becton Louisville 6073 364 5.1 23 Top 15
Another guy who made his name at the combine. Very long player who moves better than a man that big should. Will be fixture at Right tackle. 35.6" inch Arms.

Josh Jones Houston 6051 319 5.27 24 28.5 901 25-40
Made his name at the Senior Bowl playing for the North. Struggled day 1 and then pitched a shutout the rest of the week. Smooth mover in pass pro. 4 year starter at Houston

Andrew Thomas Georgia 6051 315 5.22 21 30.5" 901 7.58 4.66 25-40
42 starts at Georgia. Was considered a top 10 pick but other surpassed him with their measurables. Maybe the best football player out of this years class. A bargain outside of the top 10.

Ezra Cleveland Boise State  6060 311 4.93 30 30" 903 7.26 4.46 2nd round
My favorite lineman in the draft. Some list him as a guard but he is an excellent tackle. He can really move and has length. I think he is a day one starter in the league. 3 year starter at Boise. 33.3" arms only 9" hands.

Austin Jackson USC 6047 322 5.07 27 31" 907 8.03 4.87 2nd Round
Could have used another year at USC. Has the skills but needs refinement. 25 career starts. Could use a year of being a swing tackle before thrust into s starting role.

Isaiah Wilson Georgia 6064 350 5.32 26 29" 902 8.26 5.07 2nd round
Huge man. Physical. 21 years old. Only two years as a starter. Might need some time but his physical skills are top notch.

Saahdiq Charles LSU 6041 321 5.05 3rd-4th round
Another big guy who moves well. He is a better run blocker than pass protector. Could have used another year at LSU. 29 career starts in the SEC. 33" arms. Has potential but needs refinement.

Prince Tega Wanogho Auburn 6051 307 3rd-4thround
3 year starter at Auburn. Excellent athlete but could have used another year at Auburn. Injury concerns knocked him out of the combine and pro day. Probably could use a year as the # 3 tackle. Boom or Bust guy.

Ben Bartch St. John's 6056 308 3rd-4th round
Small school left tackle. Played very well at the Senior Bowl practices. Got dinged up and didn't play in the game or workout at the combine. Probably needs a year of swing tackle but could develop into  a solid starter.

Matt Peart UCONN 6064 318 5.06 26 30" 905 8.01 4.92 4th round
Senior Bowl tackle for the North. Was beaten badly early in the week but held his own by the end. Long arms and decent movement. 48 starts. Needs a year to develop but could be a quality starter.

Cam Clark Charlotte 6044 305 5.29 26 25" 805 5th Round
Technically sound player. Had a strong Shrine game week. Long arms, big hands. Lack explosiveness. NFL technique but need time to get stronger. Probably a future at guard.

Charlie Heck UNC 6074 309 5.16 21 28" 904 8.02 4.86 Day 3
Senior Bowl North. Held up in the practices. Too slow to be a full time tackle. Could be a swing guy or move inside. Long arms, big hands. Type of guy who can make a roster and start down the road.

Jack Driscoll Auburn 6046 306 5.02 23 29.5 906 Day 3
Great feet. Masters degree from Auburn. 33" arms. Not a big guy. Might have problems keeping up weight. Good developmental player.

Colt McKivitz West Virginia 6062 304 5.35 26" 810 7.87 5 Day 3
Beat up at the Senior Bowl North practices. Looks like he will have to play guard. Has some tools to be a back up.

Justin Herron Wake Forest 6035 308 5.26 27 33" 809 8.41 4.88 Day 3/UDFA
Another guy who struggled at the Senior Bowl. If he has a chance it is at guard. Does not have the feet to play outside. Small hands, average arm length.


Free Agent
Trey Adams Washington 6080 318 5.6 24.5" 708 UDFA
Tested terribly. Started 45 games at Left Tackle. Multiple knee injuries. Long arms  34.3"
Tough player will have to show he can stay healthy.

Blake Brandel Oregon State 6063 308 5.31 29 31" 901 7.97 4.96 UDFA
Started 48 games at Left Tackle. Improved each year. Does not have the feet to play outside. Not a powerful player, guard will be his best bet.

Yasir Durant Missouri 6062 331 5.52 25" UDFA
Big guy, Has to move to guard. Threw people around at the Shrine game. Marginal prospect.

Terence Steele Texas Tech 6062 312 5.03 27 27.5" 810 5.08
Abused at the Senior Bowl. Both in practice and the game. Has long arms but can't move his feet. Four year starter. Complete project.

Alex Taylor South Carolina State 6084 308 5.09 21 25" 908 7.77 4.79 Day 3
Did not block anyone at the Senior Bowl. 36.1" Arms. Good numbers but raw. Started 23 games at right tackle. Project for an ambitious line coach.

Jake Benzinger Wake Forest 6077 295 Shrine Game
Matt Womack Alabama 6071 325 Shrine Game
Evan Ksiezarczyk Buffalo 6056 313 5 26 25.5" 811 Shrine Game
Brandon Bowen Ohio State 6064 310 Shrine Game