NFL Draft Preview: Brandon Linder

The University of Miami has produced numerous offensive linemen that have gone on to NFL stardom.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Otto headlines the long list of Hurricane offensive lineman who had long, successful careers in the NFL.

Pro Bowlers Dennis Harrah, Leon Searcy and Chris Myers, Super Bowl champion Bryant McKinnie and standouts Vernon Carey, Orlando Franklin and Eric Winston are just a handful of Hurricanes who have proved themselves in the NFL and Brandon Linder is primed to join that group.

The senior is one of two Hurricane linemen who could hear their name called in this weekend’s NFL Draft. Linder, who was named All-ACC, second team and was tabbed the Hurricanes’ Offensive MVP following the 2013 season, possesses many of the attributes that NFL teams are looking for in the trenches.

Linder was a four-year starter at Miami who finished his career with 37 consecutive starts. He’s a versatile lineman who can play all three positions on the offensive line.

The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native played at the Senior Bowl, was invited to NFL Combine and performed at Miami’s Pro Day, giving NFL scouts plenty of opportunities to see what he is capable of as a football player.

BleacherReport.com’s Alex Dunlap had this to say about the 6-foot-6 lineman.

“Linder walks into a room and already looks like an NFL player,” Dunlap said. “On tape, he has good feet, versatility, a natural flexibility through his core and generally athletic attributes.”

NFL.com’s Nolan Nawrocki delved deeper into Linder as a prospect, evaluating him as a “Big, experienced, highly competitive, short-area base blocker at his best in a phone booth … Has football intelligence, leadership traits and a bulldog’s mentality. Should earn a spot as an interior backup initially, but brings grit to the line and has the makeup to outplay his draft position.”

Nawrocki had several other positives to say about Linder, mentioning that he has “Terrific size. Engages with urgency and works to gain positioning. Can lean and seal. Good hand placement. Functional anchor when his base and posture are technically sound. Ideal makeup to battle in the trenches. Plays with his head on a swivel — alert to threats. Nasty finisher. Outstanding personal and football character. Smart vocal leader. Tough, durable and experienced (42 career starts).”

Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller projects that Linder could be headed to Pennsylvania to join the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Regardless of what team selectes him, Linder looks like he could be an excellent value pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.