Good work.
My issue is that Clark, Nelson and ElGammal are offensive linemen. Bruce Feldman just put out an article showing that the 2018 Pro Bowl OL averaged 2.5 stars. It’s a unique position.
The bigger problem with the OL is that guys (including four-stars) aren’t getting better.
Offensive line is definitely a standalone position in terms of lesser rated players having an opportunity to excel. Those guys are overmatched athletes to begin with. So it comes down to smarts and strength and technique and tenacity, etc.
There's a guy on one of the major NFL draft forums who undertakes an interesting exercise every year. He doesn't study tape, unlike the vast majority of that board. But he looks at scouting reports dating back many years and identifies the traits that seem to align with NFL success at each position. I really appreciate plug-and-play systematic work like that, as opposed to relentless subjectivity where so many decisions have to be made.
His work is NFL-based but I'm confident the same principals apply in transition from high school to college.
At offensive line, the key traits appear to be balance and feet as long as the anchor is strong enough, and without a demeanor issue. OR...a plus grade in demeanor without weakness in power, punch or feet.
Basically from those findings I'd say an extremely self-motivated and dedicated player is the need at offensive line, as long as none of the physical weaknesses are too much of a disqualifier. And that would make sense for lower rated players emerging as top dogs. The scouts likely place too much emphasis on the physical superiority, which is key at other positions but not as vital at offensive line.
Here, I'll supply the link and the description of needs at each position. Obviously some posters will scoff at this type of thing, the ones who enjoy overreacting every day to the most recent news on the docket.
https://forums.footballsfuture.com/...ictive-to-success-relative-to-draft-position/
