NFL analyst keen on 3 offensive linemen prospects ahead of Draft

The 2022 NFL Draft may see a minimum of three offensive linemen get taken inside the first 10 picks with a number of extra probably being off the board by the top of the primary spherical.

Brian Baldinger, an analyst for the NFL Community and former offensive lineman who performed within the NFL for 11 years, revealed to Fox Information Digital in a latest interview three prospects that stand out to him.

“It’s exhausting not to have a look at Ikem Ekwonu from North Carolina State. To not say that he’s one of the best struggle now. He’s not completed,” Baldinger stated. “There’s some issues he’s set to work on. The best way that he runs and strikes individuals off the road of scrimmage within the run recreation … I don’t wish to examine him to Trent Williams, that’s not honest to anyone. However he’s bought that kind of expertise, motion. He’s gotta go do it. He’s gotta do it over an extended time period however he’s bought actually good motion and he’s in all probability gonna be the primary man taken.”

Ekwonu is as excessive as No. 3 in some NFL mock drafts. He was a unanimous All-American and gained the ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 2021. He’s listed at 6-foot-4, 301 kilos with a 40-yard sprint time of 4.93 seconds and a three-cone drill time of seven.82 seconds.

Baldinger stated Alabama’s Evan Neal was one other lineman he appreciated within the draft.

“Evan Neal, I imply look he turned down scholarships to Ivy League faculties. He’s a really shiny child. Nevertheless it’s at all times Evan Neal,” Baldinger stated. “He began 41 straight video games at Alabama. He began at left guard 13 video games his freshman season at Alabama instantly. He was popping out of highschool he was 6-7, 335 kilos. He carries it properly. He’s a very, actually handsome prospect. These two are on the prime.”

Alabama Crimson Tide OL Evan Neal (73) walks down the sector throughout the Alabama Crimson Tide versus the Georgia Bulldogs within the Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship, on January 10, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.
(Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)

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Neal was a nationwide champion for Alabama and was a First-Staff All-SEC and consensus All-American in 2021. He’s listed at 6-foot-7 and 337 kilos. He may very well be taken off the board inside the first 5 or 10 picks.

Baldinger, who has a partnership with CoachTube – a platform that gives on-line sports activities teaching and coaching from former faculty {and professional} coaches and gamers – revealed who’s favourite lineman is within the draft. He stated it was Trevor Penning out of Northern Iowa.

“Possibly my favourite offensive lineman on this entire draft is Trevor Penning from Northern Iowa. We had been down on the Senior Bowl and whenever you play for Northern Iowa everyone needs to see the way you’re going to do in opposition to one of the best of one of the best on the Senior Bowl and he simply mauled everyone,” Baldinger stated. 

Nationwide offensive lineman Trevor Penning of Northern Iowa (70) throughout the Reese’s Senior Bowl apply session on February 2, 2002 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Cell, Alabama.
(Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)

“He will get his arms on guys and he needs to punish them and put them down on the bottom. He’s bought Jon Runyan’s demeanor. He’s that kind of a nasty man. He’s not getting out of the primary spherical. He can play guard, which he has executed. He can play deal with, he can play left deal with, proper deal with. Numerous flexibility with Trevor Penning.”

Penning is projected to be a mid-to-late first-round choose on some mock drafts. Draft specialists consider he may very well be a very good match to probably defend Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.

Penning was a First-Staff All-Missouri Valley Soccer Convention choice. He’s listed at 6-foot-7, 325 kilos. He ran a 4.89-second 40-yard sprint and a three-cone drill time of seven.25 seconds.

NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu, left, Northern Iowa’s Taylor Penning, heart, and Alabama’s Evan Neal.
(Getty Photos)

The draft is ready to start on April 28 in Las Vegas.