Branden Albert, 2008 NFL Draft Prospect

Offensive Guard Virginia Junior 6' 6" 310 lbs. Speed: 5.17 Bench: 23/225 lbs. NFL Comparison: Larry Allen By Daryl Breault

            Once again, only one offensive guard prospect appears to be a 1^st round pick.  Branden Albert could go as high as the mid-1^st round after turning in an All-ACC 1^st Team 2007 campaign.  Albert is a 3-year starter at left guard, beginning his career alongside 2006 1^st round pick D’Brickashaw Ferguson and playing two games at left tackle in 2007.  He has been one of the best linemen in the ACC over the last two seasons and has been named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week 4 times in his career.

            Albert possesses a great work ethic and easily retains plays with few reps. He looks like an offensive tackle and could be tried there but he is not able to play on an island and doesn’t handle speed rushers well on the edge.  His ability to pull and trap makes him better suited to guard.  He generates a solid hand punch and gets into his stance quickly.  He can neutralize linemen using strength and quickness, getting great push in the run game and stymie the bull rush.  Albert consistently puts defenders on the ground in the run game and will work to finish blocks.  Against the rush, he can build a solid base and anchor when he plays with leverage.  He has a high ceiling and the athleticism to be an elite interior blocker.

            His technique is a bit of a mess, as he fails to consistently play will good pad level and while he is quick off the snap, he has a tendency to get to tall and can be pushed backward.  He does not play well in space and lacks the change of direction skills to play tackle.  He lacks balance when on the move and lunges when he does not get good position.  Albert will need to spend time in the weight room and improve his overall strength.  His upper body strength is functional but he lacks sand in his bags and has seen his weight fluctuate.  He lacks aggressiveness and can play too much of a finesse game at times but if he learns to play with more of a mean streak he could be a killer on the field.

            I believe Albert is just ahead of fellow junior USC's Chilo Rachal as a offensive line prospect as Albert has the higher ceiling.  He is a much better run blocker than pass protector and could fit in a power-rushing scheme like Pittsburgh who is in need of bodies along the line.  After working out very well, he is being touted as a potential tackle prospect but he does not have the change of direction necessary to play there and struggles with speed.  His ability to pull and work in tandem with the center and tackle will keep him inside and he could need to play between to good players to meet his potential.  While he most likely will go in middle portion of the 1^st round of the 2008 NFL Draft, he would represent better value in the early 2^nd round and appears to be a boom or bust type prospect.

Albert has great feet and could be an effective rookie starter, he really excels at blocking in space and blocking on the move. After going back and re-looking at his game film and watching his outstanding performance at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine, he is rising like a rocket up the draft boards. He has the size and feet to play tackle or guard which greatly enhances his versatility, much Like former Cowboy and 49er offensive lineman Larry Allen.