A common conception of the NFL Draft is that you can find your starting interior offensive linemen on day three while days one and two should be spent drafting the tackles. While there are situations in the league that disagree with that philosophy, most of the starting guards were not taken in rounds one or two. The importance of these positions are still very important, however. The pass rushes are coming up the middle just as often as they come off the edge and a team that wants to run the ball well needs plenty of presence in there. Tony Adams may not pass the initial eyeball test, but there is plenty of promising tape attached to him.
What He Does Well:
Adams has over 40 career starts and continues to evolve year after year. After not allowing a single sack in 2016, his streak continues as of this writing in late October. The initial pop he gets off the snap alone has the capability of winning the battle. He can stifle speed and power rushers alike when his punch is accurate and his feet are under him. He has a bowling ball type frame and he can play the role of one when attacking defenders at the second level. The way linebackers bounce off him can almost look comical at times. Adams is the leader of the line, often being the one to make calls at the point of attack pre-snap. In a pro-style offense, that is a big deal.
Where He Needs Work
Adams has a pair of heavy feet that can get stuck in the mud after he engages his man. He puts so much attention and effort into the initial punch and if he doesn’t hit his mark, a defender can easily shake him. His balance isn’t always there and the further in space he gets, the more he gets exposed in that regard. He simply spends too much time on the ground and may not be the most dependable blocker against quick change of direction defenders, which he will see much more often in the NFL than what he sees now.