NCAA Scouting - Player Profile:
Branden Albert, G
by Ben Stockwell
24/2/2008
 
There is a clear school of thought within the NFL that devalues interior offensive linemen in the NFL Draft unless they are absolutely outstanding prospects. By and large interior line prospects are taken, at the earliest, at the very end of round 1 and that is only the outstanding prospects. Branden Albert certainly fits into this category of outstanding interior linemen that could be taken at some point in the twenties or late teens of this year's NFL Draft. Last year's top interior lineman was Ben Grubbs of Auburn (29th overall to the Ravens) and Albert appears to be a better prospect than Grubbs.
 
Albert is an interesting prospect, he only begun playing football in his junior season at Glen Burnie High School (Maryland). In those two years at high school he was all-Met Offensive Lineman in 2003 (Sr. Season) and was an All-Ann Arundel County selection (both by the Baltimore Sun). He was a standout basketball player before he took up football. He spent a season at the Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia, emerging as a 4 star prospect according to both the Scout and Rivals recruiting services. He was a standout immediately at Virginia, starting all 36 games for the Cavaliers before leaving early for the draft after his junior season.
 
What we like about Albert
 
He is a strong, powerful, athletic blocker who blocks equally well inside as he does pulling outside. He uses his experience as a former defensive lineman and his basketball plays to have a lightning fast first step off the line to neutralise fast first steps from top level one gap defensive tackles, this also allows him to move quickly to the second level and use his athleticism against linebackers. To go with this quickness he has a massive frame (that probably still has space to add more mass if he stays inside) that allows him to anchor and absorb bull rushes as well as getting a strong drive in run blocking. There is exactly everything to like about Albert, he has pretty much everything you'd look for in an interior lineman and has the chance to be one of the best.
 
Question marks over Albert
 
The question mark over Albert is simply a case of how well rounded he is, he has the upside to be one of the very best in the league, but his technique can sometimes lapse. He can get lazy against lesser opposition who he should be dominant against. Quick off of the line but sometimes fails to sustain his blocks for long enough. There's no down side to his game potentially so long as he remains consistent in his technique and intensity.
 
Highlights of his College Career
 
The highlight of his college career for the pro scouts (taking a slightly different angle here) were the two games that he started this season at left tackle when Virginia's start Eugene Moore missed time with injury. He played fairly well in those games; well enough that some scouts are looking at him as a tackle prospect and as someone who has the ability to kick outside to tackle from guard that will be invaluable in increasing his draft stock.
 
Other Snippets of Info
 

• Listed by Mike Mayock of NFL Network as his #1 interior offensive line prospect.

• Mayock considers him able to move outside to tackle in the NFL.

• Team captain for his junior season at the University of Virginia.

• First team All-ACC in 2007.

• Comparable to David Diehl, a guard who has been shifted out to tackle due to his ability to play in space.

• Good fits – Pittsburgh, Kansas City, New York Jets.