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NFL's tackle streak likely to bite the dust
By MIKE McLAIN
Okay, maybe it’s not as impressive as Brett Favre’s streak of 297 consecutive games played, but it’s certainly worth noting.
In the never-ending pursuit to protect able-bodied quarterbacks, NFL talent evaluators haven’t been hesitant to use high draft picks on offensive tackles.
In fact, a tackle has been a top-10 pick in 11 straight drafts, including a pair of first overall selections in Jake Long (2008 by the Miami Dolphins) and Eric Fisher (2013 by the Kansas City Chiefs).
Luke Joeckel was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the pick following Fisher.
It appears the streak will be broken this year because of a rare off season for the position. Ryan Ramczyk of Wisconsin and Cam Robinson of Alabama are the only possible first-round picks, with Robinson perhaps falling out of the round.
Both players have obvious qualities on the field, but those aren’t likely enough to sway a general manger from calling either of their names early in the selection process.
There are other factors involved that have played against a higher selection for both players. Ramczyk had hip surgery last January, and Robinson’s character took a hit following an arrest in March 2016 for felony possession of a stolen firearm, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, in addition to carrying a firearm in the presence of narcotics.
Robinson, who was considered almost a lock for a top-10 pick following the Crimson Tide’s win in the 2015 national championship game, was questioned about the incident at the NFL combine. He was open in his responses and pointed in making the case that the incident wasn’t about who he is as a person.
“The interviews have been going well,” Robinson told reporters in Indianapolis. “We address the elephant in the room first, which is the incident I got in last summer. I explain it to them, and I tell them exactly what happened. I’m 100 percent truthful with them, and then we move on and we talk ball.
“First and foremost I want them to understand I didn’t want to let that incident define me as a person. I respect myself and my family and university and my teammates. I put that past me.”
Robinson is convinced he’s the best tackle in this class, but his play doesn’t place him at an elite level. The main concern is an inconsistency in pass protection. He was more consistent in run blocking and in getting down field on screens.
Robinson can also be a drive-killer. He was penalized a combined 23 times on dead-ball situations the last two seasons.
The Cleveland Browns, who own the first and 12th picks, could use a right tackle to complete a line transformation that began with the additions of center JC Tretter and guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency. Cameron Erving, a 2015 first-round pick, was a disappointment at center last season and doesn’t provide much hope as an answer at right tackle.
Robinson once looked like a possibility for the Browns at 12, but that doesn’t appear likely now.
Ramczyk is a remote possibility at 12, but he seems ticketed for the later part of the round. Ramczyk showed an ability to handle all assignments last season, which was his first as a starter for the Badgers. According to Pro Football Focus, he didn’t allow more than two pressures in any game and allowed zero pressures in eight games.
A lack of experience works against Ramczyk, as does the fact he’s not a strong run blocker. The surgery has to be a concern, but he assured reporters at the combine that all is well.
“It’s been really positive,” Ramczyk said. “It’s been eight weeks now of recovery. I’m feeling really healthy, and I’ll be back in California training and rehabbing after this.”
The only guard prospect with a chance to go off the board in the first round is Forrest Lamp of Western Kentucky. Lamp graded highly among tackles as a three-year starter on the left side, but short arms might force a move inside. He played well against high-caliber competition, allowing just five combined pressures against LSU in 2015 and Alabama in 2016.
Ethan Pocic of LSU is the best of the centers. He appeared at left tackle on 16 snaps and at right tackle on 44 snaps last season.