Prospect Comparison: Laremy Tunsil vs. Ronnie Stanley

Laremy Tunsil vs. Ronnie Stanley

With Mock Draft season underway, two names are consistently at the top for offensive linemen: Ole Miss’ Laremy Tunsil, and Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley. But what separates one from the other?

Measurements: Both Tunsil and Stanley possess prototypical size for an NFL left tackle. The Ole Miss product weighs in at 305 pounds and 6’5”, while his Notre Dame counterpart has an extra inch and 10 pounds on him.

Their 40-yard dashes are nearly identical. CBSSports.com reports a 5.17 time for Staley and 5.23 for Tunsil. The 40-yard dash isn’t a particularly important test for offensive lineman, but still gives a decent indication for explosiveness.

Advantage: Push

Run blocking: The two are both skilled run blockers, opening holes for running backs and quarterbacks alike, and each prospect shows the ability to get to the second level. Tunsil gets by with technique, but doesn’t really drive back defenders. Stanley on the other hand is more of a mauler, using his raw strength and power to push defenders back, especially in short yardage situations.

Advantage: Stanley

Pass Blocking: Again, both Tunsil and Stanley have everything you look for as a pass blocker. Both have long arms and low centers of gravity to anchor themselves from oncoming rushers. However, Tunsil is light on his feet and has an incredibly quick first step, something that Stanley struggles with at times.

While his long arms and strong hands help him against both speed and power moves, but is still vulnerable to an inside spin move. Several times a defender got free and should have led to a sack if not for the mobility of DeShone Kizer.

Advantage: Tunsil

Athleticism: Each prospect is blessed with prototypical size and speed for an NFL-caliber left tackle, and each has

the capability to make important blocks in both the run and pass game, as well as being able to make open-field blocks on screens. However, the slight edge has to go to Stanley because he’s gotten more out of his raw ability with less technique.

Advantage: Stanley

Intangibles: Tunsil missed half of 2015 due to a seven-game NCAA suspension for keeping a rental car too long. He also suffered a broken fibula in Ole Miss’s bowl game to end 2014, and had domestic violence charges brought against him by his stepfather, while also bringing charges against him. Tunsil intervened when his stepfather shoved his mother in a dispute at her home. The charges were later dropped by both parties.

Despite these off the field incidents, they did not affect his play against top pass rushers. In the Sugar Bowl, Tunsil dominated Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and kept the pocket clean for Chad Kelly.

Stanley has no injury history or off-field incidents to worry about, but didn’t have that same success against top edge defenders, especially against Clemson’s Shaq Lawson, a potential first-round selection.

Advantage: Push

Verdict: The debate between Tunsil and Stanley is reminiscent of Jake Matthews and Greg Robinson; a technically-sound tackle vs. a more athletic project. In 2014, the rawer Robinson went second overall, while Matthews was the second lineman off the board at six. This time around, the gap between Tunsil’s floor and Stanley’s ceiling isn’t wide enough for anyone to bet against the sure thing. Tunsil is a better pass blocker, and Stanley’s advantage in the run game isn’t enough to take the crown of top prospect.

Any NFL team would be happy to have either prospect, so splitting hairs may be a little bit moot, but Tunsil just about every war room would see Tunsil as the best prospect to plug in and play day one. He may never be the bruiser in the run game that Stanley is, but the technique in pass protection he already possesses makes him a much safer choice.