Tackles surplus has teams salivating

Sure, the crush resulted partly from sheer volume--the NFL has credentialed a record 628 media members for the event at Lucas Oil Stadium--but it's also evidence of a recent league-wide trend.

As the NFL has evolved into a quarterback-driven league, the value of the offensive linemen that protect those passers has skyrocketed. Stud left tackles, in particular, are now like iPods--everyone has to have one. These behemoths have gone from anonymous to glamorous.

And fortunately for the Washington Redskins, who could have a vacancy there depending on Chris Samuels' decision to retire, this draft class has plenty.

"I think there are some really good [linemen] that are ready to play, and I also think that there are some good developmental prospects, too," Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli said. "It is a good group of players."

The Redskins are well-positioned in the draft to have their pick of the entire group and choose an offensive lineman in the first two rounds for the first time since taking Samuels third overall in 2000. Many analysts expect players at other positions to be drafted with the first three selections, giving Washington a chance to address its biggest weakness with the fourth-overall pick.

Oklahoma State's Russell Okung, Rutgers' Anthony Davis, Oklahoma's Trent Williams and Iowa's Bryan Bulaga are just some of the offensive tackles that could go in the first round. That would continue a trend from the last two drafts, in which tackles were coveted early.

Consider that a total of 14 tackles have been selected with top-50 picks in the last two drafts. Before that, you have to go back four years (2003-07) to amass that many top-50 tackles.

Three tackles were drafted in the top eight picks last year, and eight were first-rounders in 2008. That's a stark increase from earlier in the decade.

"You're obviously going to be a cornerstone for the team and for the franchise," Okung said. "It's a compliment just to be considered that."

Okung is widely considered the best tackle in this draft class, and Redskins message boards continue to fill with pleas for the team to draft him.

"It's very humbling to actually hear something like that, but I don't take too much into it," he said. "I'm just another guy at Oklahoma State trying to make his way."

Okung hadn't spoken with Redskins officials as of yesterday afternoon, and he said he hasn't done much research about the team.

While he spoke at one lectern, Bulaga hosted another horde of reporters on the other side of the room.

In addition to the cliches that he and every prospect muttered yesterday, many of the highly-rated tackles admitted that they'd gain special satisfaction (and, of course, more money) by being the first tackle drafted.

"Personally, I would think that I would rank towards the top," Williams said. "Not saying that I'm the best or anything, but I think that's what the combine is for, to help separate the competition."

"Everybody is going to be jumping each other, going under each other all the way until draft day," Bulaga said. "It's going to be exciting to see."

Center Casey Rabach and the Redskins earlier this week began negotiating a new contract to retain the nine-year veteran. Rabach, 32, has started all but one game during the last five seasons but is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent a week from today.

"If the right deal is in place," Rabach said, "there's no reason to hit the open market."

WHEN: Through Tuesday WHERE: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis TV: NFL Network

Tackles surplus has teams salivating

February 26, 2010 12:35 am