Gosder Cherilus SELECTED BY: Detroit Lions Round 1(17)

SI Grade 3.95 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior. Used at right tackle his first three seasons in the program before moving to the left side as a senior. Started 51 games at Boston College.

POSITIVES: Powerful, king-sized tackle who projects to the strong side. Keeps his feet and hands active throughout the action, plays with a nasty attitude, and annihilates opponents. Always looking for someone to hit, dominant at the point, and easily removes defenders from the action or engulfs them altogether. Makes good use of angles, jolts defenders with good hand-punch, and keeps his head on a swivel. Picks up stunts and blitzes. Gets a lot of movement from run-blocks and anchors at the point in pass protection.

NEGATIVES: Lacks footwork and lateral blocking range and exploited by speedy edge-rushers. Not light on his feet, lacks adjustment, and ineffective in motion.

ANALYSIS: Cherilus has been a durable and dominant blocker on the college level. He showed flashes of ability on the blindside last season, yet for the most part he looked out of position and he was handled on more than one occasion. His size, growth potential, and strength will help him find a starting job at right tackle in the NFL.