Miami Dolphins Draft Board: Top 5 OL

Earlier this week we took a look at the top 10 wide-receivers in this years NFL Draft class. As I expected some didn’t agree with my rankings. I’m sure some won’t agree with my rankings of the offensive lineman either.

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This years crop of incoming lineman is pretty decent as a whole but there are not a lot of sure bets in the top of the draft like in years past. Although some could argue that the draft of 2013 didn’t go to well at the top of what was supposed to be a deep class.

Here are my, note the two letter word MY that predicates this, top five offensive lineman in the 2015 NFL Draft that I believe could become Miami Dolphins.

5: Brandon Scherff – Iowa

Scherff could very well be the first offensive lineman taken in this years draft but he seems to be projected more as a guard than a tackle. At tackle, he simply can’t hang with the much speedier NFL defensive ends simply because he doesn’t have the footwork or technique to stop the bull rush. At guard, Scherff will have a far better chance to us his short footwork and short arms.

In Miami Scherff would still be a better option than Dallas Thomas and there is room for him to grow into an NFL guard. Scherff does play at high level with a nasty streak, he likes to find someone to hit and his head is constantly turning to find someone to block. He is far better suited for run blocking the pass blocking though and that is something he will need to work on.

4: Ereck Flowers – Miami University

There is a lot to like about Flowers, a local Miami product. Listed as a tackle, Flowers can play both guard and tackle and would give Miami and insurance policy to Branden Albert. In addition Flowers would likely be the heir apparent to Albert in a few years.

Flowers has good initial push and is well rounded as a pass blocker and run blocker and works very well in space but he lacks speed which makes him a better option on the interior. He needs to be more consistent but he should find the NFL an easy transition.

3: T.J. Cummings – Pittsburgh

Another tackle that needs to spend some time at guard when entering the NFL, Cummings is a beast. He is mean and strong and loves to hit. He has solid but not great footwork and his pass protection as a tackle isn’t very good which is why he may need to move to guard.

Very strong in the running game, Cummings has set himself up as a legit option in round two if he makes it out late round one.

2: La’el Collins – LSU

I really like this kid a lot. He has a great off the ball first hit and has very good footwork and speed for a lineman. Well rounded in both pass protection and run blocking, Collins can also do just a well on the outside at tackle.

In several recent mock drafts I have taken Collins with the 14th pick. It’s not a pretty pick but it’s a safe one. Collins would be the replacement down the road for Albert if he is drafted but honestly Miami may want to trade down and see if he is still there later.

There really isn’t a lot about Collins that is bad, he is coming from a strong LSU football team is considered NFL ready.

1: Ali Marpet – Hobart

A true guard, this small school Hobart alumni is almost a lock to go in round two and if he is on the board when Miami selects they should grab him. He has a great upper body with fantastic strength and balance. He is quick and can pull very easily when needed.

Smart, Marpet uses his strength well and has very solid well coached technique. The downside is he is a small school product that will not have faced the same level of play as some others that being said he was amazing at the Senior Bowl this year and easily handled some of the top 2015 incoming rookie lineman and linebackers.

If the Dolphins get Marpet in round two they will have solidified their offensive line (if Billy Turner can beat out Dallas Thomas that is).

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