NFL Draft 2013: 5 Things I Learned

3. Offensive Line Is Officially A Glamor Position

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2RsXH4ln4E So the left tackle position has been a position of high importance since Lawrence Taylor reinvented the Linebacker spot and kept quarterbacks and offensive coordinators changing their drawers. There has been some great ones, hall of famers, and even some taken number 1 overall in the draft. However, I don't remember a draft where 3 of the first 4 spots were offensive tackles (one being a guy who has only played the position for one year!), 6 in the top 20 picks, as well as 2 of the top 10 spots being guards. And to be honest, these aren't can't miss, hall of fame guys like Orlando Pace, Jonathan Ogden or Willie Roaf. The consensus was these guys (Eric Fischer, Luke Joeckel and Lane Johnson) were good, solid tackles. But there they are with 3 of the first 4 picks. Previously guards and centers were the bass players of the offensive line, being 'just guys' you could grab in later rounds, until the Pouncy brothers came along. In all, 40 offensive linemen were drafted, the second most of any position, and as low as the 5th round there were highly touted guys that will possibly make an impact or even start for their teams . A few things factor in the rise of the offensive line as a skill position. First- the rookie wage scale means NFL teams don't have to feel quite as guilty taking a lineman high in the first round, as he won't cost as much and if he is a bust (Robert Gallery), you aren't out as much cash as you were 5 years ago. Second- the league is moving towards a faster paced, passing game, so the teams are adapting. This means the offensive line now becomes more of a priority need, a need where athletes, not just maulers are required. Throw in the influx of mobile, shifty quarterbacks and the read option fad, your offensive line had better be faster and more agile than they were 5 years ago . The reason - Eric Fischer, a Division II player went before Joeckel, who played in the SEC? He was a better athlete, not a better technician. For a few years, bigger was better at offensive tackle, but look at this year's top three, all three are barely over 300lbs, but have quick feet and move well. And finally, this one being a dual threat- teams are learning that they had better protect their multi-million dollar quarterback investment. NFL defense are littered with heat seeking flesh missiles who are arguably the best athletes on the field. We are talking 6ft 5in, 270lb men who run a 4.6 and whose sole purpose is to get to your quarterback and try and go through him like a ghost. Your highly decorated college first round QB is no good to anyone if he is laying on his back with his c6 vertebrae poking through his jersey . Teams are learning that even the best quarterback will look like Ryan Leaf if he isn't protected, and while lately, mid rounds have proven to be a solid place to find your QB of the future (Andy Dalton -2nd round, Colin Kaepernick- 2nd round, Russell Wilson-3rd round, Jimmy Clausen-2nd round- just kidding!), you had better draft someone high to protect him for the next 10 years.