Esa Pole didn’t play high school football | Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Six swing prospects with tackle/guard versatility
The
Los Angeles Rams have proven not shy about drafting offensive linemen,
since 2017 they have selected 11. With the 2025 starters seemingly set, the decision to add to that number may be shaded to come later in the draft process. Looking for depth pieces rather than starting talent.
Just who are the Rams offensive linemen? Currently, L.A. has 11 offensive linemen under contract, the five starters being:
- AJ Jackson - left tackle - 6’ 6” 321 lb. 33 7/8” arms
- Steve Avila - left guard - 6’ 4” 332 lb. 33” arms
- Coleman Shelton - center - 6’ 3” 292 lb. 31 1/2” arms
- Kevin Dotson - right guard - 6’ 4” 310 lb. 33” arms
- Rob Havenstein - right tackle - 6’ 7” 321 lb. 33 3/4” arms
And the six backups:
- Beaux Limmer - center/guard - 6’ 5” 302 lb. 31 7/8”arms
- Warren McClendon- swing tackle - 6’ 4” 306 lb. 34 1/2” arms
- Dylan McMahon - center/ maybe guard - 6’ 3” 299 lb. 31 3/4” arms
- KT Leveston - guard/tackle - 6’ 4” 326 lb. 34 3/8” arms
- Justin Dedich - guard - 6’ 2” 301 lb. 31 3/4” arms
- AJ Arcuri - swing tackle - 6’ 7” 308 lb. 33 7/8” arms
Limmer may just as easily be a starter. McClendon has played in 19 games with five starts, and 363 snaps over two seasons. McMahon got the mop up start and 66 snaps in the final week of 2024, but L.A. kept him on the 53 all season after poaching him from the Eagles. Leveston spent all year on the injured reserve. Dedich’s rookie line was 13 games played, three starts, and 206 reps. Arcuri enters his fourth season with 10 games, one start, and 121 reps under his belt.
L.A. usually starts OTAs with 15 linemen, so it’s likely they’ll add at least four, even if just camp bodies. While the group of prospects offered today are not of starting grade, I daresay they have better pedigree’s than camp bodies.
Meet the Candidates
Jack Conley - Boston College 6’ 7” 327 lb. 33” arms
Sixth-year senior came to BC as a three-star recruit, took a redshirt, and two seasons as on specila teams before breaking through as a starter in his final three. He played in all 60 games he was active with 31 starts. Named to the Shrine Bowl.
Well-built, with good strength. Best suited to play guard, even at his height. Good downhill blocker in duo/gap game and has the footwork for inside zone. Although his athleticism is just adequate, smoothly climbs, short pulls, and gets out on screens. Not explosive off the snap, but has the leg strength/drive to move opponents. His problems stem from playing too high, bending at the waist, and ducking his head. It allows defenders to easily slide off his blocks, particularly in pass pro reps, if he doesn’t get clamped on. when Conley keeps his pad level down, he does set a firm anchor.
Doing his pre-draft training with Dante Scarnecchia, legendary offensive line coach. Played multiple games at both right/left tackle and guard, as well as tight end. Pundits were impressed with his Shrine Bowl workouts.
Esa Pole - Washington State 6’ 5” 320 lb. 33 1/2” arms
Interesting back story, Pole didn’t play high school football. When he walked on at the JUCO level, according to an
article printed in Spokesman-Review of Spokane Wa.
“ ...He struggled to complete push-ups. He bench-pressed just 95 pounds, squatted only 70.”
After two JC season’s, Pole signed with
Washington State and stepped in to start 22 games at left tackle. According to
Pro Football Focus College, he didn’t allow a sack in his senior season and had second-best D1 pass blocking grade in the nation. Named to the Shrine Bowl.
Watching Pole’s film is like watching a young thoroughbred, there’s power and fluidity there, but just not enough on-the-job-training for success. A lot of his problems stem from playing too upright and bending at the waist, getting out of balance and losing the leverage to create drive. When he puts it all together, he’s a beast, but a 50% win rate won’t cut in the NFL. His Shrine Bowl workouts were like his game film, flashes of dominance along with raw and inexperienced reps.
Keep in mind, he’s only been playing the game four years. 22 college games and south of 700 snaps, a quarter of what most prospects have. So yes, he’s a raw developmental project with a nice ceiling. Film shows the building blocks, physical traits, athleticism, and some innate pass blocking skills. Even if you don’t think highly of
PFF, just look at the higher-rated draft prospects on this
pressure rate allowed list.
Washington State OT Esa Pole is a mobile crafty tackle whose smooth movement ability & nimble feet stand out!
The fast developing OT is graceful & stout in pass pro showing educated hands & light feet!
Pole's ability to gain positioning on the move in space & seal are…
pic.twitter.com/y73KZIg0JI
— Noah K.M. Chang (@NoahKMChang)
March 7, 2025
Dalton Cooper - Oklahoma State 6’ 6” 323 lb. 33 1/2” arms
Six-year player that has been a starter and winning accolades since 2020. Started 36 games at left tackle for Texas State, before transferring to Okie State for 2023. For the Cowboys, Cooper started 21 straight before a ruptured plantar shut him down for the final games of 2024. Named to the Hula Bowl.
Well-proportioned build and his arm length is adequate, just under NFL standards. Cooper wins on experience and technique, he’s a patient and smooth operator in a pass-oriented offense. Uses his length and hand fighting skills to keep rushers out of his chest and at bay. He gets out of his set quickly and appears to have good, light footwork. Aware of stunts/loops and looks for action. Not a powerful drive blocker, he kind of treats most reps like reach blocks, his footwork getting him angled between the ball and defender with a clamp/torque technique. He moves in short areas, climbing well to the second level and short pulls.
High floor prospect has the versatility and know-how, with adequate athleticism Cooper’s biggest problem is needing more play strength for the NFL. He easily transitioned up in competition and didn’t allow a sack in his final season. Due to his work in the Hula Bowl, the Shrine Bowl also gave him a berth.
Oklahoma State OT Dalton Cooper is a stout savvy blocker whose latch strength & ability to work angles allows him to displace defenders & create lanes!
Cooper displays good spatial awareness with well timed educated hand use to control & disarm rushers on the edge!
I'm excited…
https://t.co/mXdWIHGtkM pic.twitter.com/nved7Q2AnS
— Noah K.M. Chang (@NoahKMChang)
January 13, 2025
Bryce Cabeldue - Kansas 6’ 5” 306 lb. 32 1/2” arms
Fifth-year senior started 47 straight games, broken up by missing the final games of 2023 with an ankle injury. Although he played both left and right tackle, his Jayhawks coaches were pressed into using him outside and affirm he’s a natural guard. He was named to the Shrine Bowl and took most of his snaps at guard.
Long-legged build forces Cabeldue to play a little high at times, although generally, he’s quick off the snap and very good at unhinging his hips to control defenders. He’ ll need to engage his hands earlier in the pro’s and work on play strength, but does a good job of striking. Mauler demeanor. Nice light feet, can easily get to reach blocks and a good climber. Better taking it to pass rushers right off the bat, and although he sets a good, wide anchor/base, more bottom half strength and/or mass are needed.
Had a stellar Big12 Pro Day, showing off his move and explosion traits. He fits very well into what the Rams do offensively. He can really move around, has good upper body strength, and although he projects best to a zone scheme, he’s not a soft, finesse player, he simply needs his core/lower strength to match his nasty play style.
After his Big 12 Pro Day yesterday,
#Kansas OL Bryce Cabeldue will finish the draft cycle as one of MOST ATHLETIC OL in the 2025 class per RAS.
He finished in the 88th-97th percentile in all but one Combine testing drill, and projecting as a guard, he’ll challenge to have the…
pic.twitter.com/DjxGMJfq00
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko)
March 20, 2025
Trey Wedig - Indiana 6’ 6” 310 lb. 32 3/4” arms
Wedig played right tackle in graduate transfer season at Indiana, starting all 13 games. He played both tackle and guard positions at his previous school, Wisconsin, where he started eight of 32 games. Named to the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Well-put together frame, arm length is under standards, but his overall wingspan helps cover for it. Indiana uses a run-dominant offense and Wedig understands low leverage, staying between ball/tackler, and block sustain. His strong hands allow him to clamp on, lock up, and torque. In pass pro, he sets a good anchor and gets off well. He needs better accuracy on his punch, he’s a bit heavy-footed and be beaten by outside charge and inside counters.
A bit of a sleeper vibe around Wedig, he really performed well in his first year as a full-time starter. Good film against good teams shows that he’s a developable, well-rounded prospect that can block in both pass and run sets. Good four position versatility.
Myles Hinton - Michigan 6’ 7” 323 lb. 34 1/8” arms
Four-star recruit, began his career with Stanford, logging 16 starts in 23 games, Transferred to Michigan participated in 23 games with 15 starts. Between the two schools, Hinton play in both tackle and guard positions.
Stellar size and length with lean mass. Very athletic and light-footed. Can make all the blocks in the run game, both inside and on the move, moves fluidly in space and strikes well in the open, but in tight traffic inside, his footwork needs an upgrade.. Although Hinton uses his hands/length well on both pass and run, he can play too high which creates balance/leverage issues and force him to reach without his power.
If you were to create a tackle in the lab, it would look like Hinton. Surprisingly lacking in technique considering the two colleges he attended. Strong film versus
Ohio State. He flashes big time ability and oozes potential, so there is a high ceiling there.
I expect we'll be hearing more about Michigan LT Myles Hinton as the draft approaches. There just aren't many guys who move like he can at 6'6 345 lbs.
Couple that with 35+ inch arms and humongous power and you have all the makings of an NFL LT. He has been rough around the…
pic.twitter.com/yW4SpbV2l1
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears)
September 21, 2024
What’s up with the 2025 offensive line draft class?
There are only a few highly-touted tackle prospects and even fewer of them fit the
“true” tackle standards. Interior line prospects are even thinner.
Because of the lack of depth in this year’s offensive line class, I grade all of these candidates on the cusp of being draftable. In a normal class, more likely UDFAs. While the shallow pool may get their name called, I would not expect any to hear it before the Rams start their bevy of Round 6 picks. Maybe the L.A, scouting staff will identify one as being a fit.
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College Target Share: 80th Percentile
