PicoBlog

Now that my work for the 2024 draft is complete, I have sorted through my top 70 graded offensive linemen to filter out ten of my favorite prospects ranging from projected day one, two and three picks. Rather than just highlight my top ten overall, I prefer to vary the range of grades to add some variety while picking my personal favorite players to study. This also allows for some ‘long shot’ types of prospects from later in the draft that I would most comfortable betting on being featured players.

The outline will go as follows:

First round grade (1)

Fringe first/early second round grades (2)

Round three grades (2)

Fringe round three/early round four grades (3)

Mid/late day three grades (2)

For reference: ‘My Guys” from the last three draft classes

2023

2022 (no first round grades)

2021

• Duke G Graham Barton

  • Size: 6’5” 313 pounds

  • Stats: 39 career starts split across LT (34) and center (five)

  • Age: Turns 22 years old on June 1st

  • Top traits:

  • Reasons for concern:

    • Tardy strike timing leaves his chest and frame exposed to speed to power

    • Good, but not great size and power

  • Sales pitch: Each draft cycle I make an effort to reserve the term ‘sticky’ to describe a run blocker for one player, and this year that term is a great place to start when explaining what makes Barton worthy of a top 32 pick. Barton uses excellent core strength, contact balance and active, light feet to arrive on contact square before latching, steering and finding ways to consistently finish through the whistle. Those traits typically translate and serve as a rock solid foundation for a long career, and we got to see those traits on Barton’s film for two years.

  • Film Room

  • Grade: Late 1st

  • 15 play snapshot:

• Kansas OL Dominick Puni

  • Size: 6’5” 313 pounds

  • Stats: 41 career starts split across LT (25), LG (13) and right tackle (three)

  • Age: Turned 24 years old on February 24th

  • Top traits:

  • Reasons for concern:

  • Sales pitch: Puni’s wide-bodied, thick frame/build and jarring power jump out as soon as you turn on the film, but what made me sit up in my chair was his ability to stay attached, in control and sustain blocks through shed attempts. Add in very good movement skills that allow him to intersect and erase targets on the move and you quickly run out of reasons why he can’t be an early starter at guard or center.

  • Grade: Top of the 3rd

  • 17 play snapshot:

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