6. Ryan Ramczyk, offensive tackle, Wisconsin
Outside of Cam Robinson, the 2017 draft class is extremely light on talent at the crucial left tackle position. And the NFL has more than a few teams in need of one of those. So it’s not going to be surprising whatsoever if Wisconsin product Ramczyk ends up getting selected in the top half of the first round, and many a big board has him featured as a clear-cut first rounder in terms of talent.
But that’s a huge gamble.
First off, Ramczyk only played one year at a top school — his 2016 season at Wisconsin. He ended up skipping a year after high school to go to a tech school, then he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point for two seasons. Following that endeavor, Ramczyk transferred to Wisconsin, sat out the 2015 year and had an outstanding 2016 season for the Badgers.
Unfortunately, he then had to miss the team’s bowl game and needed hip surgery, which also kept him from participating in drills at the combine and his pro day.
There are an awful lot of question marks on this young man’s resume. Teams better know what they’re getting into before making a big investment in the first round.