Weaknesses:
Summary: There are some like NFL Network’s Mike Mayock who believe Warmack is the best player in the 2013 NFL Draft. That is lofty praise for an interior offensive lineman, but Warmack was a dominant force during his collegiate career.
Warmack broke into the starting lineup in 2010. The sophomore did an excellent job opening holes in the ground game from the start. Over his junior and senior seasons, he improved his pass protection to be equally effective in preventing pressures. Warmack did a tremendous job in his junior season of opening up running lanes for Trent Richardson as a good defense and tough ground attack carried Alabama to a National Championship.
In 2012, Warmack was an absolute force for the Crimson Tide in a repeat title run. He blasted open holes in the ground game throughout the year. Warmack concluded the season by playing his best football. Against Georgia, Alabama had a lot of success pulling Warmack around the right side to open up holes for Eddie Lacy. Warmack was beaten for a sack by Bulldogs defensive tackle John Jenkins, a potential first-round pick, and that was the only sack this writer recalls Warmack allowing in his senior season.
In the National Championship game against Notre Dame, Warmack put on a clinic. Not only did he own the line of scrimmage against some good Fighting Irish defensive linemen, but he was equally awesome at springing Lacy with blocks on the second level. Warmack had a lot of success taking out Irish linebacker Manti Te’o. The superb game by Warmack capped off a great career.
Warmack should be an immediate starter in the NFL and an asset in the run game. He should upgrade his team’s ground offense. Warmack can blow defensive tackles out of their gap to open up running lanes. He is also great at pulling or firing off the line to hit blocks on linebackers.
The NFL is a passing-driven league and Warmack should be a reliable quarterback-protector quickly. He will have a bigger adjustment getting used to pro speed-rushers than he will in the ground game, but Warmack is so quick, strong and athletic that it shouldn’t be long before he is rock-solid in pass protection. Bull rushes are completely ineffective against him as he has a powerful base with strong hands and great knee bend. While Warmack is shorter than the ideal, it can be an advantage with natural pad level against taller defensive linemen.
It shouldn’t be long before Warmack is a challenger for the Pro Bowl, which could happen as soon as his rookie year. He has the upside and skill set to be one of the best guards in the NFL. Warmack is a very safe pick and that is why he looks capable of bucking the trend that keeps guards outside of the top-20 picks.
Player Comparison: Logan Mankins. Warmack looks similar to the balanced and efficient style of play that Mankins has featured in the NFL since 2005. Mankins (6-4, 310) is similar size to Warmack with the ability to push around defensive linemen. Mankins is very well-rounded as he is equally effective in the ground game and the passing game. Both players have a unique combination of power and mobility. Warmack dominated the college level in a fashion that Mankins has in the NFL. Mankins was the last pick in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, and if it was redrafted, he would have gone a lot higher than pick No. 32. It looks like Warmack will be a top-20 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
NFL Matches: Cleveland, Tennessee, St. Louis, Dallas, New York Giants, Chicago
There are lot of teams in the first round that are candidates to take Warmack in the top-20 selections. The highest that he could hope to go would be to the Browns at the sixth-overall pick. Cleveland could reunite Warmack with Trent Richardson, and the Browns could use a road grader like Warmack in front of their franchise back.
Tennessee signed Andy Levitre in free agency to a big contract, but taking Warmack in the first round makes a lot of sense. With those two paving the way for Chris Johnson, the Titans would vastly improve a weak interior from 2012. Warmack could easily land in Tennessee.
The Rams need to improve their guards and could consider drafting Warmack at pick No. 16 or pick No. 22. St. Louis could get a nice value by landing the top-rated guard in the middle of the first round. Warmack with Jake Long would really upgrade the team’s offensive line.
Dallas had a terrible interior offensive line in 2012 and has to improve its protection for Tony Romo. The Cowboys like strong, physical offensive linemen and Warmack fits the team’s style. If he falls to Dallas, it would be surprising to see him slip any further.
The Giants also need some young talent on their offensive line. They need better run blocking and pass protection for Eli Manning. A blocker like Warmack would make a lot of sense for New York, but he probably won’t get to the team’s pick.
The same goes for the Bears. They could use improved guard play, and it was surprising they passed on David DeCastro a year ago. Warmack would make sense for Chicago, but is unlikely to be available. It would be a real surprise if he falls out of the top 20.
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RELATED LINKS:
2013 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2013 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2013 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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