2014 NFL Combine Preview: Five Offensive Linemen to Watch
By Ben Nielsen
Oct 26, 2013; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) is hoisted by Kansas State Wildcats offensive linesman Cornelius Lucas (78) after scoring a touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the first half at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
School: Kansas State
Watch to Watch: Shuttle Run, Bench Press, Cone Drill
Met with Chiefs: No
Lucas saw his stock drop after a mediocre year for Kansas State. Before the season started there where thoughts he could be a second day draft pick with the potential to go in the second round if he had a good season. Instead the reverse happened, and now Lucas is projected to be available as late as round six and seven.
There is a lot to love about Lucas. At 6-8, 330 pounds, he’s got the kind of body teams look for at left tackle. Athleticism is there, so to is production. And the strongest part of his game is pass protection, which works for an Andy Reid team that loves to throw the ball. To this end, Lucas makes a ton of sense.
Questions with Lucas revolve around strength, technique, and mentality. This seems to show up the most in the running game, where K-State almost never ran behind him when they needed critical yards. Some reports on Lucas point out how much Lucas struggles out of a three-point stance, as if he doesn’t really know what he’s supposed do in those situations.
The thing with Lucas is going to be about how much of his problems are coaching and how much are him being a 6-8 guy who doesn’t know how to use his body. The latter would mean passing on him, and is something we can watch for at the combine.