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Best of the bunch Texas offensive tackle leads crop of offensive lineman
In the world of pass protection, a left tackle is a quarterback's best friend. Some lucky quarterback is about to get the biggest best friend he ever had. At 6-foot-5, 370 pounds, Texas offensive tackle Leonard Davis was the biggest player at the Scouting Combine. There were only a few linemen bigger in the entire league last year. Davis isn't only big, he's strong as he proved by benching 225 pounds 33 times. Only two offensive linemen had more reps at the combine. Davis can maul people with his run blocking and is agile enough to handle a speed rusher. Skeptics says he's not a Tony Boselli or Jonathan Ogden, but who is? Kenyatta Walker is another potential top-10 pick. He played right tackle at Florida but has the ability to switch to left tackle. Walker gets out of his stance quickly and demonstrated his ability to change direction by running a 4.6 in the short shuttle at the Combine -- pretty impressive for someone 6-foot-4, 311 pounds. Three linemen from Michigan could be among the first 31 picks on Saturday. Tackle Jeff Backus should go in the middle of the round. He's the kind of guy you can give a starting job to right away and not worry about for 15 years until his retirement dinner. Teammate Steve Hutchinson may be the most skilled offensive lineman in the draft. His talent is supplemented by tremendous toughness and competitiveness. He can start right away at guard, but at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, he may get a shot at left tackle first. And a third Wolverine, Maurice Williams, may be chosen later in round one. Some other left tackle candidates may get drafted ahead of Nebraska center Dominic Raiola, but none will start sooner or last longer. Pass-blocking is always a question for Nebraska linemen, but Raiola has balance, strength and quickness and will do fine. Two impressive tight ends could also wind up going in the first round. Arizona State's Todd Heap is a good receiver and an aggressive blocker. North Carolina's Alge Crumpler is a good athlete and an explosive blocker. He was the most impressive tight end at the Combine. Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. Chat with Pat at 1 p.m. EDT Wednesdays.
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