NFL Combine Player Draft Profiles - Michigan Offensive Line

The NFL combine website has a draft profile for every player at the combine. Since the offensive players have completed most of their drills, here is how they assessed Michigan's offensive line combine attendees:

Ben Bredeson

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/ben-bredeson?id=32194252-4505-4642-6b12-aa127a40c235 

Prospect grade: 6.14 - GOOD BACKUP WHO COULD BECOME STARTER

Overview

Four-year starter who will get dinged for some athletic limitations, but possesses the body type, leadership and toughness necessary to play in the league. Bredeson is best-suited firing out in a power-based rushing attacking where his disadvantages in space can be mitigated. There are correctable elements in his game that should forge continued improvement, but there will be some bumpy roads against interior quickness. He should become an average starter.

Strengths

• Burly with broad shoulders and an NFL guard's frame
• Peppery pass punch to stun defender
• Sharp to snap and catch in response to twists
• Looks for work when he's uncovered
• Maintains base width and generally on-balance in pass sets
• Rugged mentality will appeal to O-line coaches
• Plays with adequate bend in hips, knees and ankles
• Able to unlock hips and create leverage in run game
• Can match power across from him as drive blocker
• Two-time team captain and highly regarded by teammates

Weaknesses

• Athletic limitations limit his scheme flexibility
• Below-average initial quickness
• Effectiveness diminishes away from his phone booth
• Heavy feet hinder lateral movements and second level climbs
• Will struggle redirecting and adjusting to moving targets in space
• Needs more accurate hand placement to improve block sustain
• Room for improvement with anchor technique in pass sets
• Could struggle to handle NFL rush counters

 

Mike Onwenu

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/mike-onwenu?id=32194f4e-5741-5291-a74a-040f32c558e0

Prospect Grade: 5.90 - BACKUP/SPECIAL-TEAMER

Overview

Powerful and wide, Onwenu's natural play strength is somewhat offset by his below-average athletic ability. With better hand placement and attention to footwork, he can take a step forward as a drive blocker with the ability to move bodies around, but he'll be a scheme-specific prospect who could struggle against quick, upfield players and sub-package rushers. He has backup guard ability and potential as a Day 3 pick.

Strengths

• Tremendous girth from his chest to his toes
• Matches NFL size with NFL strength
• Upper-body strength to put people on the ground
• Can hold ground and stalemate against like power
• Surprising recovery balance for a big man
• Possesses heavy hands with ability to redirect edge rush
• Good overall physicality and demeanor
• Waste of time for power rushers who want to run through him

Weaknesses

• Can be a step slow getting out of his stance
• Athletic limitations must be accounted for with scheme
• Lacks desire level of range as run blocker
• Doesn't always play as wide as he's built when attempting to sustain blocks
• Needs better post-strike footwork to get blocks sealed
• High hands prevent optimal leverage at point of attack
• Gets over-extended when patience fails him
• Will have trouble against quality rush counters and twisting fronts

Cesar Ruiz

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/cesar-ruiz?id=32195255-4941-5291-5447-fa1de6f9c62b

Prospect Grade: 6.41 - Will be starter within first two seasons

Overview

Athletic and tenacious with the combination of skills and technique to fit into a variety of blocking schemes on the next level. Ruiz wins early with initial quickness and fast hands into first contact. He works to convert early advantages into wins. He's consistent in securing down-blocks and has the athletic traits to become a second-level factor. He'll give some ground to power rushers and needs help against wide-bodies, but the tape checks out. Ruiz has early starting potential and should develop into a good pro with guard/center flexibility.

Strengths

• Excellent snap-to-step quickness
• Waits for defender to declare before capturing and securing the block
• Consistent to run feet through double-teams and down-blocks
• Plays with bend and leverage
• Fluid on the go and can lead the charge on wide pulls and screens
• Tenacious demeanor from whistle to whistle
• Early into pass sets with good hand placement
• Compact, stiff pass punch with good arm extension
• Clear eyes to identify pre- and post-snap danger
• Consistent base width throughout pass sets
• Has feet and lateral slide to mirror anyone in front of him

Weaknesses

• Frame appears to lack desired width
• Could benefit from better acceleration and thump into first blow
• Needs to work at steering blocks into position
• Positional blocker with average face-up power
• Could struggle to set a shallow anchor against NFL bull-rushers

John Runyan

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jon-runyan?id=32195255-4e66-5243-5999-ba8f8f093175

Prospect Grade: 5.88 Backup/special-teamer

Overview

Determined and smart, Runyan held his own as a Big Ten tackle despite a lack of desired physical and athletic traits. He's inconsistent taking control into initial engagements, but stays after it and recovers back into the second phase of the block. He plays with high hands that diminish power and control, but that should improve as he slides inside to guard. He has adequate athleticism and body control to fit into a variety of run schemes but may not excel in any. Runyan's protection experience at tackle improves his draft value as a later-round, backup-caliber guard.

Strengths

• Father was a Pro Bowl tackle
• Very smart and observant pre- and post-snap
• Quick recognition of games by defensive fronts
• Tackle experience is a bonus in pass protection as a guard
• Clamps are quick to cinch and secure if rushers aren't active enough
• Footwork is patient but consistent in-line
• Athletic ability makes him scheme diverse inside
• Determined to stay connected to blocks once he lands
• Takes smart angles to secure blocks

Weaknesses

• Needs to play with better suddenness in his hands
• Lands way too high on the frame on down blocks
• High hands diminish leverage and natural strength
• Below average as drive blocker
• Lateral slides feature slightly heavier feet
• Windup needs to be eliminated from his punch
• Needs to throw hands with better timing and force
• Could struggle to mirror edge-to-edge rushers effectively