https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-top-30-offensive-linemen-returning-2020
I am not gluing on ranking but there is some notables here.
5. T SAMUEL COSMI, TEXAS
Cosmi, a redshirt sophomore, opted to return to Texas instead of declaring for the NFL draft to try and improve his stock. If he finds a way to improve just marginally in 2020, Cosmi will likely be on his way to the first-round next year. He was already a great player these past two years — in 2018 his WAA total was the second best among left tackles, and in 2019 he allowed just one combined sack and hit on his 595 pass-block snaps.
So far he remains on my top want list, although I expect him to be off the board. So many things to like about this prospect: height, run blocking ability and pass blocking ability. He seemingly checks off all the boxes. I also like that he isn't a prospect who has an influx of penalties against.
10. C JAMES EMPEY, BYU
Over the past two seasons starting at center for the Cougars, Empey has been among the five most valuable offensive linemen in PFF WAA. In two-year PFF grade, Empey is first among centers pass-blocking and third in run-blocking. James Empey is a name you’ll want to remember come draft season next year.
A sleeper center but from what i have read he isn't due out this year?
29. T ALEX LEATHERWOOD, ALABAMA
Leatherwood was getting some first-round love before he opted to return to Alabama for one more season in 2020. After playing at right guard for the Crimson Tide in 2018, Leatherwood made the move back to left tackle and found success, finishing as one of five left tackles to not allow a sack and surrender one or fewer hits on their quarterback. Penalties got to Leatherwood, who had the sixth most at left tackle (nine total), and his run-blocking needs some work, but his pass-protection prowess will make him highly coveted by NFL teams come 2021.
28. T LIAM EICHENBERG, NOTRE DAME
Eichenberg didn’t allow a single sack at left tackle this year and was solid across the board, generating an 85.5 pass-blocking grade and a 78.8 run-blocking grade. Similar to Leatherwood, penalties were a massive issue for him in 2019 — he had 11 on the year, the third most for his position.
These prospects have some things to like but penalties can be drive killers. Not off my radar but off my want radar in 1.
Josh Meyers the center for Ohio State not talked about in the article remains on my 2nd round want radar. But RB and T might swing the Steelers hand in another direction. That might change if Pouncey hangs em up.
Not a big need in comparison but Wyatt Davis G out of Ohio State would look attractive in Black N Gold to pair with Big Dot. He will probably be gone before the Steelers pick but man talk about a G with potential.
2. G WYATT DAVIS, OHIO STATE
Davis saw his first two starts come in the 2018 Big 10 Championship game and Rose Bowl due to the Buckeyes' original starter being out with an injury. And in that role, he performed just OK. This year, though, Davis came into the year the starter and far exceeded expectations by not allowing a sack or hit on his 459 pass-block snaps and recording the second-highest overall grade at his position. His WAA tied for the fifth best we have seen from a right guard in the PFF College era, and he is now likely to be a top prospect in the next draft cycle.
Who has caught your eye so far and why?
I am not gluing on ranking but there is some notables here.
5. T SAMUEL COSMI, TEXAS
Cosmi, a redshirt sophomore, opted to return to Texas instead of declaring for the NFL draft to try and improve his stock. If he finds a way to improve just marginally in 2020, Cosmi will likely be on his way to the first-round next year. He was already a great player these past two years — in 2018 his WAA total was the second best among left tackles, and in 2019 he allowed just one combined sack and hit on his 595 pass-block snaps.
So far he remains on my top want list, although I expect him to be off the board. So many things to like about this prospect: height, run blocking ability and pass blocking ability. He seemingly checks off all the boxes. I also like that he isn't a prospect who has an influx of penalties against.
10. C JAMES EMPEY, BYU
Over the past two seasons starting at center for the Cougars, Empey has been among the five most valuable offensive linemen in PFF WAA. In two-year PFF grade, Empey is first among centers pass-blocking and third in run-blocking. James Empey is a name you’ll want to remember come draft season next year.
A sleeper center but from what i have read he isn't due out this year?
29. T ALEX LEATHERWOOD, ALABAMA
Leatherwood was getting some first-round love before he opted to return to Alabama for one more season in 2020. After playing at right guard for the Crimson Tide in 2018, Leatherwood made the move back to left tackle and found success, finishing as one of five left tackles to not allow a sack and surrender one or fewer hits on their quarterback. Penalties got to Leatherwood, who had the sixth most at left tackle (nine total), and his run-blocking needs some work, but his pass-protection prowess will make him highly coveted by NFL teams come 2021.
28. T LIAM EICHENBERG, NOTRE DAME
Eichenberg didn’t allow a single sack at left tackle this year and was solid across the board, generating an 85.5 pass-blocking grade and a 78.8 run-blocking grade. Similar to Leatherwood, penalties were a massive issue for him in 2019 — he had 11 on the year, the third most for his position.
These prospects have some things to like but penalties can be drive killers. Not off my radar but off my want radar in 1.
Josh Meyers the center for Ohio State not talked about in the article remains on my 2nd round want radar. But RB and T might swing the Steelers hand in another direction. That might change if Pouncey hangs em up.
Not a big need in comparison but Wyatt Davis G out of Ohio State would look attractive in Black N Gold to pair with Big Dot. He will probably be gone before the Steelers pick but man talk about a G with potential.
2. G WYATT DAVIS, OHIO STATE
Davis saw his first two starts come in the 2018 Big 10 Championship game and Rose Bowl due to the Buckeyes' original starter being out with an injury. And in that role, he performed just OK. This year, though, Davis came into the year the starter and far exceeded expectations by not allowing a sack or hit on his 459 pass-block snaps and recording the second-highest overall grade at his position. His WAA tied for the fifth best we have seen from a right guard in the PFF College era, and he is now likely to be a top prospect in the next draft cycle.
Who has caught your eye so far and why?