Weaknesses:
Summary: Osemele is a powerful run blocker who also is surprisingly quick and athletic for such a large man. Osemele has extremely long arms. His arms (35 1/4 inches) were the longest of any offensive lineman at the Senior Bowl. When you combine his long arms with his quick feet, many teams will consider Osemele as a right tackle in the NFL. If not, his power and drive-blocking ability make him a good fit at guard.
Osemele started more than 40 straight games at Iowa State. He played left tackle in 2011, and faired well overall. In the NFL though, he should move to guard or right tackle. Even though he has the ability to be a road-grader, Osemele has enough quickness and athleticism to fit in a zone-blocking system in the NFL.
Osemele started slow at the Senior Bowl but he improved as the week went on. He showed the ability to hold his own and was a fighter against better pass-rushers than he typically saw last season. Osemele is an outgoing person who should be a good locker-room presence in the NFL.
In the NFL, Osemele will need some development as a pass protector. He has the potential to be a special player with his arm length and quickness, but needs more work to take advantage of those physical tools. If Osemele lands with the right team and a good offensive line coach, he could turn into a standout right tackle or guard.
Player Comparison: Jeff Otah. Osemele won’t get drafted as high as Otah, who was a first-rounder in 2008, but Osemele has a similar game to Otah. They are powerful blockers who have surprising quickness and athleticism. Otah (6-6, 330) and Osemele are similar size with versatility. The Panthers could play Otah at guard as well as right tackle. Osemele should be a similar player in the NFL.
NFL Matches: Indianapolis, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Miami, Kansas City, New York Jets, Pittsburgh, New York Giants Osemele looks like a second-round pick right now. This list could go on and on with a number of other teams in the second round that could consider Osemele to fill a need at guard or right tackle. The Colts and Vikings both need a lot of youth for their offensive lines, and Osemele could interest them early during the second day. The Bucs need a long-term right tackle and left guard. The Browns have to replace right tackle Tony Pashos, while the Dolphins need an upgrade over Marc Columbo. Osemele could fit either Cleveland or Miami.
The Chiefs have to find a new right tackle to replace Barry Richardson. Osemele would be a good fit in Kansas City. Wayne Hunter is getting towards the end of the line for the Jets, and Osemele could be a long-term replacement. Toward the end of the second round, Osemele could be a fit with the Steelers or Giants. They both need help at guard and tackle.
RELATED LINKS:
2012 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2012 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2012 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
NFL Picks - Dec. 11
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
