Draft profile: OT Ryan Clady

[ICON]

Moving the Chains


Do your job and don't get noticed.

Isn't that what we want from our franchise offensive tackles?

Boise State's Ryan Clady (6 feet 6, 317 pounds) is hoping to be just that. He decided to skip his senior season with the Broncos and is expected to be a first-round pick.

Can't remember having ever seen Clady in action? Think back to the 2007 Fiesta Bowl between Boise State and Oklahoma, a game that delivered one of the greatest endings in recent memory. With Boise State trailing, 42-41, the Broncos ran the Statue of Liberty as quarterback Jared Zabransky handed the ball behind his back to Ian Johnson who scampered into the end zone for a two-point conversion. Here's the video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4s8vdzYwFUNow check out Clady, No. 79. Sure, it wasn't a monster block, and nobody who watches this highlight will really notice him, but Clady helped seal off Oklahoma defenders as Johnson went in for the score.

Q: What are Clady's strengths as an offensive lineman?

A: At 6-foot-6 and 317 pounds, Clady certainly has the size to play tackle in the NFL. But what impresses scouts the most are his footwork and athleticism at that size. At Boise State, he often pulled or blocked out in front of screens, showing remarkable agility for a man his size.

Q: What gave him trouble in college and might be something he needs to improve on at the next level?

A: Not too many players were able to give him trouble in college, especially in the Western Athletic Conference. He probably had a better sophomore season than junior campaign. He was beaten at a couple crucial times during his junior season against the highest-level competition. Such lapses were few and far between, however. No doubt at the professional level, Clady will have to improve his strength.

Q: What kind of offense does Boise State run? Describe Clady's performance in pass-blocking compared to run-blocking.

A: Boise State runs a very complex, diverse and balanced offense. It’s one that should prepare him well for the NFL. Clady was solid in the run game and the pass game. He might be a better run blocker than pass blocker at this point. Clady played defensive line in high school. So he should continue to get better at offensive line as he accumulates more experience.

Q: What can you tell us about Clady off the field? What was his relationship like with teammates, the media and the coaching staff?

A: Clady is a very quiet guy. Teammates joke that he hasn’t said more than two words to them. Clady definitely got more comfortable during his time at Boise State. Teammates say he can be funny and engaging, but he rarely spoke with the media. During several one-on-one interviews, Clady opened up and, though soft-spoken, is engaging. His mother passed away when he was young and he was raised by his father and extended family.

Q: What went into Clady's decision go skip his senior season?

A: I’m not sure what was left for Clady to accomplish at Boise State. Having won the Fiesta Bowl as a sophomore and garnered a closet full of individual honors, Clady didn’t have much more to gain on the team or individual level. It’s hard to imagine his stock getting any higher. And Clady expressed a desire to take care of his younger siblings — he has three of them. First-round money will help with that.

Q: Did Clady have a signature moment as a college player? If so, what was it?

A: Clady caught a pass for a touchdown in a blowout victory during his junior season. He flipped the ball, LaDainian Tomlinson-style, and then jumped into the crowd, Lambeau Leap style. His teammates mobbed him. That the play was called back because of a penalty didn’t seem to matter.

But the play he will forever be associated with at Boise State is the Statue of Liberty 2-point conversion that gave the Broncos an overtime victory against Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. It was Clady -- along with tight end Derek Schouman (now with the Buffalo Bills) -- who sealed off the left side of the line allowing Ian Johnson to run in untouched for the game-winning score.



More on Clady

ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. has Clady ranked as the No. 9 player overall:

An excellent left tackle prospect with athletic ability and solid technique that will make him a great blindside protector in the NFL.

http://www.ktvb.com/xtra/bsuf/stories/M_IMAGE.10e9b0230b3.93.88.fa.d0.bf51742.jpg

Man is it his fate to become a Bronco or what?

[PRBronco]

I would be very happy with this young fella watching Jay's back, methinks.

[Inkana7]

Please fall to us at #12..

[SpringStein]

Please fall to us at #12..

I'm starting to doubt that. Good OTs go sooner than often anticipated.

[Great13]

I'm starting to think Mike and Ted are gonna go with Harris and Pears at LT. If they are serious about this "build through the draft" philosophy, they'll probably trade down and grab a RT like Otah or Cherilus along with a handful of other picks to fill the various holes at DT, LB, S, and WR.

[NFLBRONCO]

I'm starting to doubt that. Good OTs go sooner than often anticipated.


Main reason he'll be gone: Most of us would love drafting him. :)

[cutlerfan]

I want to see Clady and Williams one on one drills at the combine!!

[Inkana7]

Hey, if not Clady, then Williams. :)

[Drek]

I'm starting to think Mike and Ted are gonna go with Harris and Pears at LT. If they are serious about this "build through the draft" philosophy, they'll probably trade down and grab a RT like Otah or Cherilus along with a handful of other picks to fill the various holes at DT, LB, S, and WR.

I don't see anyone in Dove Valley is deluding themselves into thinking that Pears is anything but an extremely short term answer, and only at LT.

There was talk last season of Harris moving to RT as well. I think he's more suited to LT, but if he can keep his weight up in the 300 pound range he should play fairly well at RT. He's a technician with some ok physical skills, so he might be an RT anyways (since its the "failed LT" position).

I could see us taking Clady if he's there. He'd be an amazingly great fit here and could probably start from year one. If we stay at #12 I think at least one of the good linemen, likely one of Clady or Ellis, will fall to us.

[Great13]

I don't see anyone in Dove Valley is deluding themselves into thinking that Pears is anything but an extremely short term answer, and only at LT.

There was talk last season of Harris moving to RT as well. I think he's more suited to LT, but if he can keep his weight up in the 300 pound range he should play fairly well at RT. He's a technician with some ok physical skills, so he might be an RT anyways (since its the "failed LT" position).

I could see us taking Clady if he's there. He'd be an amazingly great fit here and could probably start from year one. If we stay at #12 I think at least one of the good linemen, likely one of Clady or Ellis, will fall to us.

I hope so.. but I doubt it. Ellis may be taken before Dorsey when its all said and done. But he'll surely go in the top ten.. I think Long will be projected as a RT after the combine and maybe even Clady goes before he does, because of the importance of the LT position. I could be wrong, but the Combine and personal workouts will give us a clearer picture as to what these guys can and cannot do exactly.

As far as Harris is concerned, he has good mobility but I seriously doubt he's strong enough to be the dominant run blocker needed at the RT position.. if he's not the answer at LT he'll most likely just be a reserve.

[mattob14]

As far as Harris is concerned, he has good mobility but I seriously doubt he's strong enough to be the dominant run blocker needed at the RT position.. if he's not the answer at LT he'll most likely just be a reserve.

Or a Guard.

[That One Guy]

If Long doesn't project as a LT and is forced into a RT future... does he fall? If Williams and Clady are ranked as high as they are, you'd think most teams looking for Oline help are going to be getting the elite LT that high and just want to shift players around to the other positions. The exception would be if there's a left handed QB that needs his blindside protected.

[mattob14]

If Long doesn't project as a LT and is forced into a RT future... does he fall? If Williams and Clady are ranked as high as they are, you'd think most teams looking for Oline help are going to be getting the elite LT that high and just want to shift players around to the other positions. The exception would be if there's a left handed QB that needs his blindside protected.

I could see Clady jumping ahead of Long, but I'm not sure Williams will go ahead of him. There's an outside shot Long could fall to 12. If he does, he'd start at RT from day 1, but I can't say I'd be thrilled about the pick. His floor is pretty high, but he also has a low ceiling, at least in comparison to most of the other top OT's this year. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Long end up as the 3rd or 4th best OT from this class in the long run, it's just a matter of determining which of those other players will reach their full potential.

[That One Guy]

I could see Clady jumping ahead of Long, but I'm not sure Williams will go ahead of him. There's an outside shot Long could fall to 12. If he does, he'd start at RT from day 1, but I can't say I'd be thrilled about the pick. His floor is pretty high, but he also has a low ceiling, at least in comparison to most of the other top OT's this year. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Long end up as the 3rd or 4th best OT from this class in the long run, it's just a matter of determining which of those other players will reach their full potential.

It's amazing that someone with such hype as a lock top 3 pick could be viewed as someone with a low ceiling. I don't doubt your observations at all, it just amazes me how different things impact players' draft positions as they do. If he played at Illinois rather than Michigan, who knows what his draft position is at this point.

That being said, if he's half as good as draftniks over the last two years have said he is, I'll take him at 12 if things shake up too bad.

[mattob14]

It's amazing that someone with such hype as a lock top 3 pick could be viewed as someone with a low ceiling. I don't doubt your observations at all, it just amazes me how different things impact players' draft positions as they do. If he played at Illinois rather than Michigan, who knows what his draft position is at this point.

That being said, if he's half as good as draftniks over the last two years have said he is, I'll take him at 12 if things shake up too bad.

I don't mean to discount Long's abilities and sound like he has no potential, but if we're comparing him to Clady, Williams, Otah (even someone like Anthony Collins) I don't see him having the same athletic ability and long-range potential. Long will have a solid pro career though. I do agree that he has been a little overhyped the last 2 years.

[-Slap-]

I've been saying all along that Jake Long is vastly overvalued, but I would be very happy to get him @ 12. Big physical run blocker with a mean streak. Lord knows we need someone who fits that description.

[Drek]

I've been saying all along that Jake Long is vastly overvalued, but I would be very happy to get him @ 12. Big physical run blocker with a mean streak. Lord knows we need someone who fits that description.

He'd kick ass at RT for us, be a stud there for a long time.

[Inkana7]

If Long falls to #12, I'd shoot myself in the face if we don't get him.

[PRBronco]

If Long falls to #12, I'd shoot myself in the face if we don't get him.

Hahahah, PRBronco agrees with Inkana7.

[oubronco]

If Long falls to #12, I'd shoot myself in the face if we don't get him.

get the gun cause they will probably take a project player or possibly a punter Hilarious!

[mhgaffney]

I've watched the board debate -- do we pick a DT first or an OT ? -- and frankly the answer is we should take the best athlete that falls to us at either position.

either or will serve us nicely. If both Clady and Ellis are ther -- I would pick Clady.

[Broncojef]

I've watched the board debate -- do we pick a DT first or an OT ? -- and frankly the answer is we should take the best athlete that falls to us at either position.

either or will serve us nicely. If both Clady and Ellis are ther -- I would pick Clady.

I think the impact DT we need is Ellis and he will be gone at #12. I really think Clady will be there at our pick and that line being set comment by the Broncos is a smoke screen to get this guy for long term protection of Jay. Sometimes Shanny reaches but Clady at #12 would be good value, I really don't see another good fit DT/OT at that spot unless we trade back or up for someone else.

[That One Guy]

There's a compromise between drafting for need and drafting BAP... you draft the BAP from the positions of need. The Broncos can currently use a new safety, MLB/SLB, OT, DT... and unfortunately, WR if Javon is traded. So basically there's quite a few positions available that they can go BAP on so the potential is there for a decent draft.

As for DT, Ellis would be a great pick if he fell but I really like the idea of the Bryant pick if we can get him for value and not have to take him with our high 2nd or get ripped off the way we did last year getting Thomas.

With our 1st pick, I'd love to see them invest some resources so that on the 1st and goal from the 2, we can say "they're going left/right" and the other team wont be able to stop it.

[Ray Finkle]

After the super bowl, I could see him going to the Pats....

[Broncojef]

There's a compromise between drafting for need and drafting BAP... you draft the BAP from the positions of need. The Broncos can currently use a new safety, MLB/SLB, OT, DT... and unfortunately, WR if Javon is traded. So basically there's quite a few positions available that they can go BAP on so the potential is there for a decent draft.

As for DT, Ellis would be a great pick if he fell but I really like the idea of the Bryant pick if we can get him for value and not have to take him with our high 2nd or get ripped off the way we did last year getting Thomas.

With our 1st pick, I'd love to see them invest some resources so that on the 1st and goal from the 2, we can say "they're going left/right" and the other team wont be able to stop it.

I usually like BPA scenarios but we really need blue chip studs in the trenches before we ever start doing anything. Pears and Gordon are just not gonna cut it.

[TheChamp24]

For the past who knows how long, I've been wanting a LT in the 1st. I don't care how bad we need a DT, we need to protect the real future of this franchise in Jay Cutler.
I still think we should go OT round 1 and LB round 2, depending on what we do in free agency.

[Elway777]

If Clady is there at 12 then we have to draft him. Clady in the first and best defensive player in the second. I like Sims,Henderson, Wheeler or Lofton in the second. Then target a 3 round pick with foxworth to get offensive running back or Wide Receiver. Then Trade one of our 4 rounder for Rodgers and use a 4 rounder on a Conner or Safety.