*Walt taking 2014 and 2018 |
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst |
Teams View Germain Ifedi As More of a Guard
Updated Sept. 12, 2015By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.
Texas A&M has been a factory for offensive line talent in the last three NFL drafts with three tackles being selected as top 25 picks. Their top offensive line prospect for the 2016 NFL Draft is right tackle Germain Ifedi, and some pundits have said they think that Ifedi could end up being a first-round pick. Sources, however, told us that they view Ifedi as more of a guard for the NFL.
The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder has been a reliable right tackle for the Aggies. They feel that his strength and athleticism are better fits for moving to the inside.
Sources also feel that Texas A&M offensive linemen haven’t been developed to be as physical as necessary in the NFL, so that impacts Ifedi’s evaluation. Jacksonville’s Luke Joeckel was the second-overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, but he has struggled by getting out muscled. Jake Matthews, seventh-overall in 2014, is expected to be better. While Cincinnati’s Cedric Ogbuehi, the Bengals first-round pick this year, entered the league needing to get stronger. Because of the up-tempo offense the Aggies run, their offensive line hasn’t been coached up to finish off defenders and get physical. Sources say that Ifedi has more nastiness to him than the three recent draft picks, but it still is something he will have to build on for the next level.
Ifedi hasn’t been given a round grade yet, but their early estimate is he could end up being a day-two prospect. Sources say it’s too early to grade, and cite Laken Tomlinson as an example of the evolving process. Early in 2014, some teams had him on day three. He finished the year strong and had moved up to day two. Most teams had him graded on the second day, but the Lions drafted Tomlinson in the first round.
If Ifedi has a strong 2015 season and changes some minds about staying at right tackle versus moving to guard, that could help his draft grade.
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