The War Room | HoustonProFootball.com 
August 24, 2004
Mobile and Hostile
by Warren DeLuca
HoustonProFootball.com
Note: This is fourth in a series of college prospect profiles in preparation for the 2005 NFL Draft next April. This time, we take a look at the top five offensive line prospects.
Since the franchise’s inception, the Texans have made the offensive line a priority. They selected five offensive linemen in the expansion draft, including Tony Boselli and Ryan Young, invested in free agents Steve McKinney, Zach Wiegert, and Todd Wade, and used first-day draft picks on Chester Pitts, Fred Weary, and Seth Wand. While the team’s starting line appears to have solidified, the Texans will always be looking for depth and for young players to groom behind the more seasoned starters.
Tackles tend to dominate on draft day – on average in the last five drafts, the first tackle has come off the board by the fourth pick, while the first center or guard lasts until 25. During that time period, 85% of the first five O-linemen selected in each of those drafts played primarily tackle in college. This year should be no exception, with Alex Barron of Florida State, Wesley Britt of Alabama, Jammal Brown of Oklahoma, Michael Muñoz of Tennessee, and Eric Winston of Miami leading the way.
With their shift to a zone blocking scheme, the Texans will place a premium on athletic linemen with above average lateral mobility. Each of the blockers profiled has the feet to zone block and size and strength to move the pile.
Other top offensive line prospects to remember:
David Baas, Michigan
Richie Incognito, Nebraska
Rob Petitti, Pittsburgh
Jonathan Scott, Texas
Ben Wilkerson, LSU
Jammal Brown Home
If you have a question, comment or suggestion, contact Warren
