2019 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Interior offensive linemen

Here, theScore's Mike Alessandrini and Dan Wilkins break down the top prospects in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft with position-by-position rankings and an overall top 50 big board.

Top 50
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | iOL
EDGE | DL | LB | CB | S

Interior offensive linemen

1. Garrett Bradbury

School: NC State
Height: 6-3
Weight: 306 lbs

Strengths

• True technician who mirrors hands and feet well
• Incredible in space, pulls in run/screen game are fun to watch
• Smart player who understands timing, has ability to pick up stunts and shifts
• Very good athlete for position
• Explodes off snap, often giving him early advantage
• Absorbs contact well, especially on bull rushes

Weaknesses

• Average play strength, was overpowered at times
• Has had trouble with penalties, especially early in career
• Versatile skill set to play guard but may not have size for it

Bottom line

Bradbury came to NC State as a tight end recruit and quickly developed into one of the top interior linemen in the nation. The 2018 Rimington Trophy winner (best center in the NCAA) is a pro-ready prospect who profiles extremely well in a zone-blocking scheme that can get him out in space. Bradbury will be an early-round target for teams looking to stymie a growing list of elite defensive tackles.

2. Chris Lindstrom

School: Boston College
Height: 6-4
Weight: 308 lbs

Strengths

• Technician with great bend, often wins leverage battle
• Good size/frame and very good athlete
• Rarely loses one-on-one battles
• Excellent pass-blocker despite playing in run-first offense
• Active hands and one of the best strikers in class
• Shows good body control and ability to power through opponents

Weaknesses

• Below average screen-blocker
• Average movement ability and not at his best in space

Bottom line

Lindstrom is a fairly easy prospect to grade due to his consistency, outstanding tape, and athletic traits. He's a polished player who will be a Day 1 starter in the pros. Lindstrom is best in the "phone booth" and rarely loses in this position. He's versatile when it comes to scheme and has few - if any - major weaknesses to his game. The former Eagle's upside may not be as high as others in this class, but he's pretty close to a can't-miss prospect.

3. Erik McCoy

School: Texas A&M
Height: 6-4
Weight: 303 lbs

Strengths

• Excellent blocker in space, dangerous when charging at defenders
• Very balanced at point of attack and doesn't get beat by bull rush
• Had great games versus Alabama and Clemson during college career
• Able to immediately set himself in pass protection, leads to early advantage/leverage
• Excellent recovery when losing initial step

Weaknesses

• Hasn't shown dominance in run blocking
• Can be beaten by long-armed defensive tackles
• Not the most fluid athlete
• Punch/striking needs improvement

Bottom line

McCoy is an experienced center prospect who thrives in space and pass protection. He has a high football IQ despite his age (21) and has displayed enough strength and body control to thrive in the trenches. McCoy lacks functional athleticism but profiles as an ideal zone-blocking center in the NFL.

4. Michael Deiter

School: Wisconsin
Height: 6-5
Weight: 309 lbs

Strengths

• Extremely versatile: played center in 2016, left tackle in 2017, and left guard in 2018
• Excellent skills as puller and great in space
• Successful against twitchy, quick defensive tackles in pass protection
• Mauler in second level
• Talented run-blocker who can lock up top-tier defenders with ease
• Much more comfortable inside than on edge

Weaknesses

• Anchor as pass-blocker needs improvement
• Showed athleticism on tape but didn't test very well at combine
• Flagged for 12 penalties over last two seasons
• Ability to play tackle but struggled versus speed rushers there

Bottom line

Deiter will garner his fair share of interest during the draft due to his experience playing multiple positions. In reality, he's likely best suited for guard and has starting-caliber traits there. Deiter is an advanced run-blocker who fits well into any offensive scheme. He'll kick off his NFL career as a multi-position backup with a chance to be a Year 2 starter.

5. Elgton Jenkins

School: Mississippi State
Height: 6-4
Weight: 310 lbs

Strengths

• Improved immensely from 2017 season
• One of the top pass-protectors among interior linemen in class
• Plays with wide base and loose hips, allowing him to move well laterally
• Generates a lot of power when locked into a defender
• Very smart player, consistently recognizes stunts and blitzes
• Plenty of experience against elite defensive tackles in SEC

Weaknesses

• Can mistime attacks at line of scrimmage, losing leverage
• Anchor needs improvement, beaten by bull rush on multiple occasions
• Must work on hand technique

Bottom line

Jenkins took a big leap as a senior, which helped his draft stock. The stout lineman has already flashed impressive pass-blocking skills but his timing and hand usage need improvement. Jenkins isn't the biggest center but is athletic enough to succeed early in his NFL career.

6. Beau Benzschawel

School: Wisconsin
Height: 6-6
Weight: 309 lbs

Strengths

• Excellent size and frame
• Aggressive mauler in run game
• Great pass-blocker who didn't allow many pressures in college
• Strong anchor, doesn't get beat inside
• Fundamentally sound with plenty of starting experience
• Wide base allows him to mirror opponents effectively

Weaknesses

• Heavy feet, likely isn't best utilized in space
• Tight in lower body, hurts balance and reps versus twitchy rushers
• Not a fluid athlete
• Ends too many plays on ground

Bottom line

Benzschawel is the classic Wisconsin guard who enters the draft pool seemingly every year. An aggressive and powerful run defender, the two-time All-American lacks a bit of fluidity to guard some of the NFL's elite defensive tackles. Despite this, Benzschawel is a technician with an excellent anchor who fits well in a run-first offense.

7. Lamont Gaillard

School: Georgia
Height: 6-2
Weight: 305 lbs

Strengths

• Proficient in reach blocks
• Climbs to second level effectively
• Fires very quickly out of snap
• Able to reset when first step is poor
• Excellent hand usage
• High character and football IQ
• Efficient pass-blocker

Weaknesses

• A bit undersized
• Has fair share of whiffs in run game
• Lacks play strength and power at point of attack

Bottom line

Gaillard isn't the most intimidating lineman but has overcome these limitations thus far, due mostly to his technical abilities. He takes risks as a pass-blocker and displays fluid athleticism on tape. Gaillard has some technical aspects of his game to clean up but can excel in a zone-blocking scheme down the road.

Other notable prospects

Connor McGovern (Penn State)
Dru Samia (Oklahoma)
Nate Davis (Charlotte)
Ben Powers (Oklahoma)
Hjalte Froholdt (Arkansas)

Top 50
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | iOL
EDGE | DL | LB | CB | S