Top tackles

Five rookie OTs could have immediate NFL impact

By my evaluation, seven NFL teams need to find a starter at tackle in this draft. This is a good class to meet a club's needs as long as it doesn't wait too long to make a move. This pool has five players who can play their rookie seasons and should stick around for 10 years.

The top two tackles should be gone by the sixth overall pick and for good reason. Miami's Bryant McKinnie is almost 6-foot-8, weighs anywhere between 336 and 346 pounds, can run a 40 like a tight end and may have the biggest wingspan ever recorded for any player. He also never gave up a sack during his college career. Last year Leonard Davis was the second pick in the draft and he started all 16 games at guard as a rookie for the Cardinals. One NFL offensive line coach told me, "McKinnie is better, won't have to play guard to get experience like Jonathan Ogden or Leonard Davis did and he'll be one of the best of all time." I asked this same coach if he visited with Bryant in Miami. He said, "Why waste my time? He'll never be around when we pick and the club that takes him will never let him go."

At 374 pounds, Mike Williams of Texas is heavier and is more of a right tackle. With the fifth pick, San Diego should be looking at this lineman because he won't last much longer. When it comes to run-blocking, Williams is the best this draft has to offer and he's no slouch in pass protection, either. There is still a strong sentiment among o-line coaches he can play on the left side in the NFL. It's a shame Baltimore drafts so far away at No. 24 because Williams is exactly the guy the Ravens need to start their rebuilding process.

The talent at this position doesn't drop off after the top two players, either. Florida's Mike Pearson is a very polished pass blocker with excellent athleticism and technique. He could be an all-pro player a few times before his career winds down. Last year Jeff Backus was the third tackle taken -- he started all 16 games for the Lions and got better each week. The coaches like Pearson coming out of college more than they liked Backus. Jacksonville will have a hard time passing on Pearson with the ninth pick. Needing to find a replacement for Lomas Brown in the worst way, the Giants, at No. 14, will be watching the Jaguars closely.

Arizona State's Levi Jones benefited more from the Senior Bowl than anyone else. He became a first round pick after the way he practiced in Mobile. I went to the all-star game knowing he had a reputation as a player who had some issues about concentration. I interviewed him and I must say I was impressed with the guy. He's articulate, he played on defense before and he convinced me he's serious about football. I can't imagine he'll get out of the first round with the Giants, Saints, Browns, Ravens and Bears all in need of a talented player like Jones. He may not be able to play left tackle right away, but if the team who takes him is patient, it could have a solid starter for years.

Boston College's Marc Colombo has a second-round grade but some team near the bottom of the first round may reach the 6-7 lineman. He has a reputation as a tough guy who's a better pass blocker than run blocker. If Jacksonville trades down from the ninth spot (as some feel they will, for cap reasons) then Colombo could be a nice selection now that Tony Boselli is gone. Remember, Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin once was the head guy at B.C. One player personnel director told me, "If Jason Fabini can start 16 games in his rookie season, so can Colombo."

After these five there is a dropoff at the position, though there are a number of decent prospects in the later rounds. One of my favorites is Penn's Jeff Hatch. He played well in the Blue-Gray game, but didn't get invited to the scouting combine. He then impressed 24 scouts at his personal workout earlier this month. In the past week line coaches have all started coming in to Philadelphia. At least two teams are bringing Hatch in for private interviews in early April. The 6-7, 305-pounder may have been a secret at one time, but not anymore.

Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNNSI.com.