Weaknesses:
Summary: A year ago entering the 2013 season, the top tackle prospects were Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews and Michigan’s Taylor Lewan. During the season, Auburn’s Greg Robinson had a breakout campaign with dominant play to become the top left tackle prospect in the 2014 draft. This year could be a case of deja vu. Entering the season Stanford’s Andrus Peat, Iowa’s Brandon Scherff and Texas A&M’s Cedric Ogbuehi were the preseason favorites. However, they could end up going behind Stanley after he had a superb season for the Fighting Irish.
Stanley started at right tackle in 2013 and was part of a line that allowed only eight sacks on the season. After Zack Martin left for the NFL, Stanley took over at left tackle in 2014. He was rock solid for Notre Dame all year, keeping rushers from getting to his quarterback.
Stanley put an exclamation point on his impressive campaign to conclude the season. Going against USC’s Leonard Williams, Stanley got the better of Williams in limited plays against each other. Stanley also did well blocking LSU defensive end Danielle Hunter, a potential early-round selection, in the bowl game.
Stanley looks like he has the ability to an asset as a pass-protecting left tackle. He has very quick feet, natural bending ability, and agility to negate speed rushers on the edge. He also looks like he has good length to help him with recoverability. With his good size, Stanley is strong to hold up against bull rushes and keep his defenders out of the pocket.
In the ground game, Stanley is phenomenal firing to blocks on the second level and hitting defenders downfield. He put that on display throughout his senior year and especially in the Bowl game. Stanley is very good in screens. He is a quality run blocker at the point of attack. It would help him if he added a some more strength to get movement at the line of scrimmage, especially if he is playing in a power-man scheme. Notre Dame ran a lot of zone blocking, and Stanley is a great fit for that in the pros.
Stanley looks like a top-20 pick with the potential to be the first tackle selected.
Player Comparison: D’Brickashaw Ferguson. There are a lot of similarities between Stanley and Ferguson. Both have good size and are very athletic. Ferguson (6-6, 310) isn’t overpowering, and neither is Stanley, but they both are effective blind-side protectors and run blockers. Ferguson was the fourth-overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, and Stanley could go in that range as well.
NFL Matches: Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Washington, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Kansas City, San Diego
Realistically, Stanley could go as high as No. 3 to the Jaguars. Luke Joeckel has been just decent, and the right tackle situation was awful in Jacksonville. If the Jaguars draft Stanley, Joeckel could move to the right side.
The Redskins need to upgrade their offensive line, and Stanley would make a lot of sense for Washington at right tackle with Trent Williams on the left side. Staying in the NFC East, Stanley could be a great addition for New York. If the Giants improve their offensive line, Eli Manning could produce a lot of points with his receivers. Taking Stanley would allow New York to move William Beatty to the right side and kick Justin Pugh inside to guard.
The Browns may have to move up to get Stanley but they have the ammo to do it. Cleveland wants to address the lines, and putting Stanley at right tackle would improve their front. In the long run, he could replace Joe Thomas.
The same situation could work in Houston. The Texans need a right tackle, and in time, they could flip Duane Brown and Stanley.
In the AFC West, Kansas City and San Diego could be options for Stanley, as both teams have to improve their lines. The Chiefs could put Eric Fisher at right tackle if they land Stanley. The Chargers could use a left tackle to pair with D.J. Fluker.
RELATED LINKS:
2015 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2015 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2015 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
