Next up in our positional rankings series ahead of the 2023 NFL draft is this relatively deep group of interior linemen.
Per usual, before we get started, I want to go over my grading process once again for first-time readers who don’t have any idea of how my grading system works.
These explanations can get repetitive once you’ve read them a few times, therefore feel free to keep scrolling and jump right into the rankings.
Over the last couple of months, I have studied and graded over 150 players in total. In order to do a proper evaluation, I watch a minimum of three games for each prospect before coming up with my opinions/grades.
More often than not, I watched at least five or six contests for each prospect before doing an evaluation. Unfortunately, there were some cases where I had trouble getting certain all-22 tapes, so I had to work with what I had.
Long story short: I evaluated each game that I watched individually, and then I averaged those grades into one final film grade worth a total of 20 points.
Example: blue-chip prospects (90 percent or higher) received anywhere from 18-20 points in all likelihood.
Game tape is the only criterion that is worth 20 points on my grading scale, while other areas, such as analytics, athletic score, ceiling/floor, etc., are worth a maximum of 10 points.
Today, we are looking at my top 10 interior offensive line prospects, and I’ll work my way around to each position in the days and weeks ahead. I will also be updating these rankings on the morning of the draft (April 27th).
We’ve already covered our top quarterbacks, wide receivers, and offensive tackles, so let’s see which guards and centers found themselves in my top 10 this time around.
1. Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Quick analysis: Fluid technician who would’ve universally been considered a top-five prospect if he had the prototypical length for a left tackle (32 ¼’’ arms). Safest choice among all the offensive linemen in the draft and is arguably the best interior prospect since Quenton Nelson.
Grade: 91.4 (blue chip)
Ceiling projection: Top-10 pick
Floor projection: Mid-first round
2. O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida
Quick analysis: A mean and nasty guard who looks to punish the opposition at the point of attack. He has been a stone-walling presence in pass protection, not allowing a sack over his last 1,082 pass-blocking snaps.
Grade: 81.6 (first round)
Ceiling projection: Mid-first round
Floor projection: Mid-second round
3. John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
Quick analysis: Athletic, cerebral, and productive center who only allowed two sacks over 2,026 career snaps. JMS would thrive in a zone-blocking scheme that will allow him to maximize his smooth movement skills to the fullest.
Grade: 79.7 (second round)
Ceiling projection: Late first round
Floor projection: Early third round
4. Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin
Quick analysis: Tall, strong, and cerebral interior lineman who is surprisingly fluid with his movement skills. He is capable of playing guard or center.
Grade: 77.5 (second round)
Ceiling projection: Early-second round
Floor projection: Mid-third round
5. Steve Avila, TCU
Quick Analysis: Powerful and versatile lineman who can sufficiently play all five positions on the offensive line if needed. He is stout against power rushers, but he must do a better job against twitchier defenders.
Grade: 76.0 (second round)
Ceiling projection: Late first round
Floor projection: Late second round
6. Luke Wypler, Ohio State
Quick Analysis: Technically-sound, smart, and athletic blocker in the middle of the offensive line. Whichever team selects him can rely on him to make the correct calls/adjustments for his entire unit.
Grade: 73.8 (second round)
Ceiling projection: Early second round
Floor projection: Late third round
7. Cody Mauch, North Dakota State
Quick analysis: Swiss Army knife who is capable of filling any hole on the offensive line, although he is best suited on the interior.
Grade: 65.1 (third round)
Ceiling projection: Late second round
Floor projection: Early fourth round
8. Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame
Quick analysis: Undersized lineman who overcompensates for his physical limitations with sound technique
Grade: 61.4 (third round)
Ceiling projection: Late third round
Floor projection: Mid-fifth round
9. Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
Quick analysis: Very smart and underrated interior prospect who plays with the type of tenacity and grit that gives him a chance to compete on every rep.
Grade: 60.7 (third round)
Ceiling projection: Late third round
Floor projection: Mid-fifth round
10. Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan
Quick analysis: Experienced center who was a consistent presence in pass protection, only allowing three sacks over 1,528 pass-blocking snaps.
Grade: 59.8 (fourth round)
Ceiling projection: Late third round
Floor projection: Mid-fifth round
More NFL draft position rankings from Shaun Calderon
Shaun Calderon's scouting reports
Draft history of Titans' 2023 picks
