Arizona Cardinals: Offensive Line Combine Evaluation

Feb 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Nevada Wolfpack offensive lineman Joel Bitonio speaks during a press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive line will be a major position the Arizona Cardinals will look at during this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.  That’s definitely no secret.  So, it was interesting to see the offensive linemen get to be evaluated on day one of the combine.  I think it is safe to say one guy stood out in the crowd, Michigan’s Taylor Lewan.  Unfortunately he won’t be around by the time the Cards pick at number 20 in the first round.

Lewan had the best 40-yard time of 4.87 seconds.  He was one of only five offensive linemen to score a sub 5.00 40-yard time.  Impressive. A couple of the others who had an under 5.00 40 was Greg Robinson from Auburn and Joel Bitonio from Nevada.  Both players I’ve seen linked to the Cards in mock drafts.  Robinson was near the top on bench press reps with 32 of them.  Lewan had 29.  Bitonio was near the bottom at 22.  However Bitonio made up for that in the vertical jump.  He had the second best score at 32.0.

Lewan and Bitonio also were 1-2 in the broad jump.  Lewan was 117.0 while Bitonio was 114.0.  Notre Dame’s Zack Martin, a guy I think could have a future in Arizona, was at 106.0, which was in the top third.  He did not have a recorded 40-yard time. Bitonio had the third highest time in the cone drill.  Martin was middle of the pack.  Bitonio also scored high in the 20-yard shuttle.  Lewan was in the top third. Martin was just a few spots below him.

Overall, I don’t think the Cards would go wrong with any of these guys.  I see Lewan and maybe Robinson gone before 20.  If Bitonio and Martin are still around, it will be interesting to see which way the Cards go there.  Bitonio was impressive overall.  Martin held his own.  Bitonio’s stock may have risen though and a good chance he’s already gone at 20.