With the rookie edge rushers and offensive tackles analyzed in depth, we’re moving to the interior of the offensive line. In recent years, we’ve seen more guards and centers drafted in the first round, with two guards going in the Top-10 a year ago in Jonathan Cooper and Chance Warmack. Unfortunately, Cooper never took a regular season snap after going down to injury during the preseason but Warmack, as well as fellow first round guard Kyle Long started every game for their respective teams.
We also saw the emergence of our Rookie of the Year, Larry Warford, who more than solidified one of the guard spots in Detroit. He clearly stood out as the best of the rookie interior linemen, all the more impressive considering the learning curve often associated with the position. Here’s a look at all of the rookie interior linemen.
This is by no means a definitive draft grade on any of these players, just a one-year look at their role and production, and perhaps a look forward to how they might improve.
[click to: comparison graphics | Chance Warmack | Kyle Long | Larry Warford]
Round 1, No. 10: Chance Warmack, Tennessee Titans
Role: 16 Starts at RG
Coming into the draft, Warmack garnered much of the Top-10 praise before getting surpassed by Cooper, and we were impressed in our limited look during the 2013 BCS National Championship Game. As with most guards, it was an up and down rookie season as Warmack’s -5.6 overall grade ranked 49th among the top 81 guards while grading positively in only six of his 16 games. It should be noted that Warmack transitioned from college left guard to right guard in the NFL, so like many of the rookie offensive tackles, there was a learning curve in switching sides.
Pass Blocking
Grade: -9.3
Pass Block Snaps: 644
Total Pressures: 37
Sacks: 7
Hits: 4
Hurries: 26
Pass Blocking Efficiency: 95.2
It wasn’t a great showing in pass protection for Warmack who graded negatively in 11 of his 16 games. He struggled with the bullrush which made up 11 of his 37 pressures, or 29 percent of his total. That was clearly his biggest weakness as he did a decent job protecting his inside and outside shoulders. Still, the 11 bullrush pressures were by far the most among the rookie interior offensive linemen and the biggest area that Warmack needs to improve for next season.
Warmack getting bullrushed:
Run Blocking
Grade: -2.0
Run Block Snaps: 444
Warmack came into the league with the “mauler” label firmly behind him, but it didn’t always show out in his run blocking. He was asked to pull quite a bit in the Titans’ power scheme, but he was unable to consistently move defenders at the point of attack. He struggled inline as well as he often struggled to lock onto defensive linemen long enough to create holes for this running backs. Other times, he simply got the play call wrong, resulting in a play that clearly contained too many pulling guards.
Warmack whiffs on the pull:
Muhammad Wilkerson sheds Warmack on the pull block:
Warmack tossed aside by J.J. Watt:
It wasn’t all bad, here Warmack widens the edge on the pull:
Final Word
It certainly wasn’t a great showing for Warmack in Year 1, so there’s plenty of room to grow. If he can improve against the bullrush while doing a better job of locking onto moving targets, Warmack has a chance to make a move in his second season.
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