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I've decided to to group the OL together again since the tackle and center class is somewhat lacking compared to the guards. Besides, most guards and centers are cross trained in case of injury and making a more presentable draft portfolio to the scouts anyway. For this exercise, I'm going to list prospects at their last primary position played in 2012. You can find my previous rankings here. Let's begin with the centers.
Centers: Frederick moves up a spot while Jones slides down due to a troubling foot injury. Frederick moved to center from guard this year and had varying degrees of success. He fits as a guard better than center but can play center in a pinch. Benavides led the way for Teddy Bridgewater to have the success that he did. He fits the mold of a classic Titans pick as he started all 4 years at UL. Holmes has continued to sink his stock with a horrible offseason almost to the point of being a seventh rounder. Freeman is another classic Titans pick as well (started 4 years and played well all 4). He's a bit undersized but has a frame to add weight. Brian Schwenke has been the high riser of the group.
Tackles: Joeckel leads a talented tackle class but his lead has slimmed significantly to the point that Eric Fisher could challenge him as the first tackle off the board. Fisher came on strong during the Senior Bowl and flat out dominated any competition he faced in practice. Lane Johnson and Terron Armstead had great Senior Bowl showings that carried over to the Combine. There might be chance of four tackles going in the top 15 this year. It's similar to the future Hall of Fame inductees' Orlando Pace and Walter Jones class. Former junior college teammates Watson and Long (seriously did anyone get a sack off these guys when they were together?) are the most intriguing and have the most upside. Wagner might be best suited for a guard role in the pros after struggling in Senior Bowl practices at tackle. Nixon and Mills are the type of guys that you pick in the mid rounds to develop them as the future starters when your current starters start to get old or leave via free agency. Oday Aboushi doesn't make an appearance this time as he's had a poor offseason and got terribly exposed in Mobile.
Guards: Johnathan Cooper gets the nod for the top spot by hair over Warmack due to his versatility. You can't go wrong with either, though. Warford has climbed to the third overall from fourth last time after a dominant Senior Bowl performance. Bailey's stock is sliding down though it's not any his fault as more and more prospects have risen up the boards. David Quessenberry and Brian Winters have flown up the boards after a good Senior Bowl and Combine showing. Winters has held the Titans interest the longest throughout the process, starting from the Senior Bowl onward. Uzzi is a sleeper prospect that held up well in the Yellow Jackets' option run heavy system.
Name | H/W | School | Class |
1. Travis Frederick | 6'4 312 | Wisconsin | Junior |
2. Barrett Jones | 6'4 306 | Alabama | Senior |
3. Mario Benavides | 6'4 300 | Louisville | Senior |
4. Brian Schwenke | 6'3 314 | Cal | Senior |
5. Dalton Freeman | 6'5 285 | Clemson | Senior |
6. Khaled Holmes | 6'3 302 | USC | Senior |
Name | H/W | School | Class |
1. Luke Joeckel | 6'6 306 | Texas A&M | Junior |
2. Eric Fisher | 6'7 306 | Central Michigan | Senior |
3. DJ Fluker | 6'4 339 | Alabama | Junior |
4. Lane Johnson | 6'6 303 | Oklahoma | Senior |
5. Menelik Watson | 6'5 310 | Florida State | Junior |
6. Kyle Long | 6'6 313 | Oregon | Senior |
7. Terron Armstead | 6'4 310 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Senior |
8. Ricky Wagner | 6'6 320 | Wisconsin | Senior |
9. Xavier Nixon | 6'6 314 | Florida | Senior |
10. Jordan Mills | 6'5 316 | Louisiana Tech | Senior |
Name | H/W | School | Class |
1. Johnathan Cooper | 6'2 311 | North Carolina | Senior |
2. Chance Warmack | 6'2 317 | Alabama | Senior |
3. Larry Warford | 6'3 332 | Kentucky | Senior |
4. David Quessenberry | 6'5 294 | San Jose State | Senior |
5. Dallas Thomas | 6'5 306 | Tennessee | Senior |
6. Justin Pugh | 6'4 301 | Syracuse | Senior |
7. Brian Winters | 6'4 320 | Kent State | Senior |
8. Alvin Bailey | 6'3 312 | Arkansas | Junior |
9. Omoregie Uzzi | 6'3 300 | Georgia Tech | Senior |