The offensive linemen are starting to come out of the woodwork lately in our 2012 Mock Monitor. We're just one more Mock Monitor away from the 2012 NFL Draft and, more and more, we're seeing some brand new names along the offensive line crop up among our sampling of mock drafts around the Internet.
Could this be a sign of actual things to come?
Perhaps, but before we go trying to predict the future, let's dive into what the Monitor shows us this week. Last week, we saw a three-way tie for the consensus pick between a tight end, guard and cornerback. This week, we've got another three-way tie for the consensus, but it's shared among a tight end — Clemson's Dwayne Allen — and two guards — Wisconsin's Kevin Zeitler and Iowa State's Kelechi Osemele (pictured above), who is brand new to the Monitor.
Osemele is one of the more interesting prospects along the offensive line that could be available when the Falcons pick first at No. 55 overall on April 27. At 6-foot-6, 333 pounds, Osemele has a prototypical size and with that size comes unbelievable strength.
You know, sometimes we get a little tripped up when talking about offensive linemen. Let's face it: There aren't many stats by which to judge an offensive lineman, and chances are, if they're getting attention, it's because they're doing some bad.
That's not the case with Osemele. Here are some very pertinent offensive line stats for you:
- Reach: 35 1/4 inch arm length (The average man has an arm length of about 32-33 inches)
- Wingspan: 85 1/2 inches (Average for someone 6-foot-6 is 82 inches)
- Hand size: 10 3/8 inches (The average frying pan is 12 inches)
Let's just say those numbers all add up to an offensive lineman that is difficult to get away from.
What are your thoughts as we're now just a few short weeks away from the draft?
