2016 NFL Draft: Is the blue collar Jack Conklin right for Big Blue?

Laremy Tunsil of Ole Miss and Ronnie Stanley of Notre Dame are the "Blue Chip" offensive lineman of the 2016 NFL Draft. Behind them, and not all that far behind, is Michigan State's Jack Conklin.

Conklin is an unheralded offensive tackle who has gotten better every year as a Spartan, and a "Blue Collar" lineman who packs a lunch and makes sure the defenders who line up across from him have a long day. He is also one of the players that the New York Giants, who have a hole at offensive tackle, met with at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Measurables

Height: 6-foot-6

Weight: 308 pounds

Arm Length: 35"

Hand Size: 10 3/8"

40 Time: 5.00 seconds

3 - Cone: 7.63 sec

Short Shuttle: 4.57sec

Vertical Jump: N/A

Broad Jump: 8'7"

Bench Press: 25 reps

Pros

• Prototypical length for the position at 6-6, with 35-inch arms
• Mean, nasty, tough lineman. Always looking for work, plays through the whistle, and even when he doesn't win, he refuses to lose.
• Good play strength and generally plays with good pad level in the running game.
• Does a good job redirecting rushers in pass protection.
• Seems to have good mental footwork and an understanding of angles.

Cons

• Isn't an elite athlete, which can get exposed occasionally.
• Doesn't always use his length to its fullest potential, letting defenders inside his hands.
• Occasionally has some technique breakdowns, which can lead to some fuggly plays.

Prospect Video

Big Board Rankings

Big Blue View - 28th

Mocking The Draft - 29th

CBS - 19th

Draft Tek - 17th

Does He Fit With the Giants?

In a vacuum, Conklin would be a good fit with the Giants. He has the same kind of mentality as Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg, and Ereck Flowers -- Smart, fierce competitor who is tough as a hobnail boot. He also has the physical tools to be a successful starter in the NFL at offensive tackle. Conklin may only be an average athlete, but he gets the most of what he has and generally puts himself in position to win -- or at least not lose.

That being said, he might be a reach at 10th overall and won't fall to 40th overall. If the Giants in the unlikely position to be able to trade down, Conklin could make a lot of sense later in the first round if the Giants are unable to address the right tackle position by the end of April.

Final Thoughts

Jack Conklin won't be a "sexy" pick for whoever selects him. He's the type of lineman who probably won't get voted to Hawaii or be named an All Pro. But he is the kind of lineman that can have a 10 or 15-year career, and be unheralded glue that holds an offense together. Conklin is, to put it bluntly, a "Football Player," and just the kind of guy you want mixing it up in the trenches.