Falcons Looking at Ohio State Players

Draft Insider's Tony Pauline reported yesterday that Falcons personnel visited The Ohio State University to work out some players who will be available in the 2014 NFL Draft. Doug Lesmerises of the Cleveland Plain Dealer expanded on this report, sharing that Atlanta's new offensive line coach, Mike Tice, was on hand to see what offensive tackle Jack Mewhort, center Corey Linsley, and guard Marcus Hall could potentially offer the Falcons as they seek to shore up the offensive line for the coming season.

Mewhort is an intriguing prospect who is projected as a third round draft choice. He has the versatility Atlanta has been known to look for along the offensive line, having played at both tackle spots and both guard spots at various times during his football career to date. He's 6'6" and 309 pounds with the long arms that scouts covet in offensive linemen. The main knock on him is that he plays too high sometimes, but that should be a correctable issue. Mewhort was a team captain for the Buckeyes. He had one isolated off the field incident in which he was charged with public urination and evading the police, which just kind of sounds like college to me. He's nasty on the field, which should be appealing to Atlanta.

Corey Linsley is projected as a late rounder, potentially a 6th or 7th round selection. The Falcons have 10 picks to work with this year, so spending a late round pick on a center with decent potential isn't out of the question, particularly given the relative weakness at that position last season. Linsley also has that versatility that Atlanta has seemed to gravitate toward, having played guard and tackle as well as center. He has good instincts and his tenacity helps to compensate for the fact that he's a little undersized, weighing in at just under 300 pounds.

Marcus Hall is big--6'4" plus and 314 pounds. If you want an edge, Hall has it. He's the player who was memorialized in photos and memes after being ejected during a fight against the Buckeyes' most hated nemesis, the Michigan Wolverines. Hall gave fans a double-fingered salute on his way off the field. He moves pretty well for a big guy, and he has good instincts in picking up the blitz. His mechanics leave a little to be desired, but mechanics can be taught. Hall isn't projected to be drafted and may be a real value as an undrafted free agent.

What do you think about these offensive line prospects? Would you like to see any of them in the red and black?