Taylor Decker is the lone Ohio State senior in the 2016 NFL Draft expected to come off the board among the first 31 picks. He is in the same class as Mississippi's Laremy Tunsil, Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley and Michigan State's Jack Conklin or just below them, depending who you talk to. Regardless, franchises know they must find a stalwart left tackle to protect their star quarterback in an ever evolving passing league.
Decker made it clear to the media at the NFL Combine in February that he wants to play left tackle at the next level, just like he did his final two seasons in Columbus. He started at right tackle his sophomore year at Ohio State and is willing to do so if asked by a future employer. In 54 career games, Decker started 42.
"Of course, I would want to be a left tackle, but at the end of the day I just want to play football and compete," Decker said at the NFL Combine. "So if a team asked me to play another position, absolutely I would."
Decker is set to join four of his teammates at the draft next week, but might be stuck in the green room longer than any of them. But weird things happen in the NFL Draft every year, so Decker could move up into the middle of the round if a team falls in love with him.
He is projected to go near the end of the first round, so what teams could be a solid fit for his future? Here is a look at five.
Carolina Panthers
Where They're Picking: First Round (30th overall)
Breakdown: Did you watch the Super Bowl? You probably did, so you know an outside linebacker/defensive end/pass rushing behemoth named Von Miller tallied 2.5 sacks of Cam Newton, forced a fumble and basically made Carolina's life miserable en route to MVP honors. Tackles Michael Oher and Mike Remmer could not deal with Miller and Demarcus Ware, so adding Decker would bring a fresh face and talented player that moves well to protect Newton. Decker would pair up with former teammate Andrew Norwell and form a formidable side of the line for Carolina's power-rushing scheme (the Panthers finished second in rushing in 2015). If Decker remains on the board when it is Carolina's turn, the Panthers could lean his way.
Tennessee Titans
Where They're Picking: First Round (15th overall)
Breakdown: After the shake at the top of the draft with the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles trading with the Titans and Cleveland Browns for the top two picks to likely take quarterbacks, Tennessee might have to "settle" for Decker at No. 15. It's clear the Titans know they must find a franchise tackle to protect Marcus Mariota, which is why Tunsil was projected as their top pick at the end of the combine. The trades happened, however, and now he, Stanley and even Conklin might not be available at the middle of the round. It's pretty clear Tennessee is building for the future and is looking to bolster it's offensive line, so Decker — or any of the other tackles — is a fit with the Titans.
Indianapolis Colts
Where They're Picking: First Round (18th overall)
Breakdown: Indianapolis' offensive line has struggled in recent years to protect Andrew Luck and it all came to a head last year when he was shut down for the season after suffering a partially torn abdominal muscle and lacerated kidney in November. Yes, the injury happened when Luck was out of the pocket and on the move, but keeping his jersey clean is priority No. 1 for a franchise that missed the playoffs last year for just the third time since 2000. Decker can help. Tackle Anthony Castonzo is set to enter his seventh season in the league and Decker could rendezvous with a former teammate in Jack Mewhort. The Colts need to revamp their offensive line. What better way to start than drafting one of the best tackles available with their first pick?
Detroit Lions
Where They're Picking: First Round (16th overall)
Breakdown: Detroit's offense is facing a transition with the sudden retirement of star wide receiver Calvin Johnson, but quarterback Matthew Stafford hardly got any help from the running game in 2015; the Lions tallied the league's fewest yards on the ground in the regular season. Decker is an aggressive run blocker and can help pave the way for backs Ameer Abdullah, Stevan Ridley and Theo Riddick. Detroit brought in guard Geoff Schwartz and tackle Lamar Holmes this offseason, but still needs to turn its head toward the future up front with Stafford's window closing and Johnson gone. Yards have to come from somewhere, and its run game can improve with Decker's presence.
Denver Broncos
Where They're Picking: First Round (31st overall)
Breakdown: Denver won the Super Bowl, waited, saw Peyton Manning retire and signed tackles Donald Stephenson and Russell Okung in free agency. The latter is still on the mend from offseason shoulder surgery, so adding a piece like Decker who can play both tackle positions makes sense to help protect Mark Sanchez or whoever plays quarterback. Provided Okung is healthy, Decker could head to Denver and learn behind some veterans on the offensive line while still being available as a potential early impact player.
Honorable Mention: New York Jets, Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles
