Bryan Bulaga

[RashanGary]

There's no topic, so I'll start with my take.


I think he's a perfect match for Green Bay.

He had a thyroid condition that caused him to lose weight and strength. His game suffered a bit during that stretch. Also, you'd imagine he's been working to really get back to 100% full strength ever since. Also, he just turned 21.

So the reason he slipped is because he had the rough stretch of tape with the thyroid and probably needs a little strength work to really be NFL legit and he's young. NFL teams want to take lineman they feel are right now guys. Buluga can kind of play right now, but I think he's a guy, because of age and circumstance, that is really going to take off in year two.
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I think he's a perfect for for us because I think he has 10 year starter at LT written all over him. He's going to be able to focus on getting physically right and assignment sure before he's tossed into the fire. Many teams would need him on the first snap of the season, were we can get all of the long term benefits and still allow him that time he needs to get right.

The reason I think he slipped fits well with us and his long term strengths fit well with us. I think he landed in the perfect spot for us (where we were picking) and for him (where he'll have the best chance to succeed early). Not a sexy pick, but a great start to the draft and this has a lot of other depth impacts on our whole line right now. Lang can focus in else where. Our depth is finally comfortable, even on the left side.

[HarveyWallbangers]

He's the guy I wanted--which scares me. I also liked Jerry Hughes and Patrick Robinson.

[Joemailman]

In drills I thought he looked less nimble than guys like Okung and Williams. However, in game situations I thought he looked very good. This is a perfect situation for him. He can learn from 2 great veterans and not be rushed into the lineup. Besides that, he looks like a guy you want to tailgate with.

[Joemailman]

He's the guy I wanted--which scares me. I also liked Jerry Hughes and Patrick Robinson.

Relax. I don't think Bretsky mentioned him.

[Sparkey]

from NFLDRAFTDOG.COM

Bryan Bulaga

Offensive Tackle

University of Iowa

Junior

6’ 6” 312 lbs.

Strengths: Leverage, Size, Feet, Strength, Intelligence

Weaknesses: Medical Issues, Experience, Technique

By Bryan Dietzler

The decision that Bryan Bulaga made to come out a year early may have been one of the best decisions that could have been made by any junior in this year’s 2010 NFL Draft. Bulaga has the kind of skill and size that NFL teams will be looking for this year and he could end up being a pretty high draft pick. So what makes Bulaga so special? What does he have to offer NFL teams? Let’s find out.

Bulaga brings great size to the position standing six feet six inches and weighing 312 pounds. This is the kind of size in an offensive tackle that NFL scouts love. While some players that size are not stellar athletes, Bulaga is indeed a solid athlete and is one of the better athletes at the offensive tackle position in this year’s draft. Bulaga is able to get off of the line quickly and engage the defender right where it counts and keep contact with the defender until the play is finished. Bulaga’s hand work is very good as well and he places his hands well and keeps them on the defender.

Bulaga is also a long strider who gets from one point to another very quickly. Even though he is tall (his legs are very long) Bulaga has a lower center of gravity than most offensive tackles built like him which is a plus. Bulaga also has a huge wingspan and his long arms help keep defenders away from his body (which he does very well) and allows him to control defenders at the point of attack. While there is some room for Bulaga to get stronger he is still one of the strongest offensive tackles available and should be able to outmuscle many NFL defenders with the strength that he has.

Bulaga quietly makes big plays in all phases of the game and is a strong asset in the red zone especially at the goal line. He would make a great lineman to run behind when trying to get the ball in the end zone from short distances. He moves his feet very well also and can move from side to side effectively keeping contact with the defenders. With his long reach, he is able to keep his hands on defenders and move them the way that he wants (re-direct).

Bulaga has a big time mean streak which is essential for any NFL left tackle. He is also very strong and won’t be outrushed by most defenders in the NFL providing he can work on his technique and continue to improve. Bulaga is also good at picking up defenders on blitzes. Overall, his pass protection is solid and he doesn’t struggle there. He is sound fundamentally run blocking but could use some work there. Finally, Bulaga does very well at finishing his blocks and blocks until the whistle blows. He is a smart player who learns quickly and is a true leader.

Bulaga doesn’t have too many faults but there are a few that will make some scouts think about drafting him. The biggest issue that he has deals with some medical concerns. He currently has a thyroid condition that was an issue in the past and could flare up again. He has also been hurt at various points in his college career and could dissuade some teams from drafting him early. In coming out a year early, Bulaga isn’t as experienced as some of the other tackles in the 2010 NFL Draft and this might end up hurting him as well. He might have a learning curve as a result.

Bulaga, while a strong run blocker, will need some help becoming a much stronger run blocker especially when he gets to the second level. He could also stand to get a little bit stronger.

Since coming to the Hawkeyes, Bulaga has gained the following honors:

2009-Preseason all-American by Phil Steele, preseason first team All Big Ten by Phil Steele and Lindy’s, first team left tackle.

2008-Second team all Big Ten by coaches, honorable mention all Big Ten by media, first team all Big Ten by Phil Steele, second team sophomore all American by CollegeFootballNews.com, Hustle Team Award for the offense.

2007-Named to the Freshman all Big Ten Team by the Sporting News.

High School-Parade Magazine, Prep Star Magazine and East West All American. USA Today second team all American. The IHSFCA, Chicago Tribune and the Champaign News Gazette first team all state, Suburban Catholic Conference and Northwest Herald Area Player of the Year, Chicago Sun Times first team all area, first team all area and all conference.

The Final Word

Bulaga is one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the NFL Draft this year and should be taken somewhere in the middle or late part of the first round. Health will be the biggest question and if he grades out well there then there is no reason to think that no one will be afraid of taking him. With that being said, it’s possible, if he is drafted by the right team, that he could have a long and successful career in the NFL.

Prediction: Drafted between 15 and 24.

[Brohm]

Figured I'd post this here too:

Just for comparison....

Bulaga's arm length (33 1/4)

Joe Thomas (32 1/2)

Oher (33 1/2)

Jake Long (32 7/8)

Okung (36)

Trent Williams (34)

Clifton (33)

Bryant KcKinnie (35 1/2)

Orlando Pace (36 1/4)

[BallHawk]

Funny deadspin comment:

"Bryan Bulaga will be thrilled to be making NFL money after selling tires in Milwaukee for 34 years."

[OS PA]

Thought I'd repost this here.

It's funny. Five months ago, this guy was our pick in everybody's mock draft, then the combine came around and everything changed. Draft time comes around, everything settles back down, and Bulaga falls right back into our laps. Did he really fall or is the media just really good at hyping up players. The more we listen to guys like Mel Kiper, the further away from reality we get. Bulaga is a great talent, but he isn't a sure fire pick. This draft is really deep, but the elite talent was all gone by the time Eric Berry came off the board. This first round has three tiers of talent. The first tier was Berry, Suh, and McCoy. The second tier was Bradford, Haden, Okung, Williams, and Thomas. The third tier is the deepest tier, it is full of above average prospects, and I feel like the second round is going to still be dipping into the third tier. After about the 12th or 13th pick in the second round, we'll be moving into the fourth and fifth tiers, which is more of a long shot for getting a day one starter. This draft is deep, but it isn't deep in elite talent, just above average guys.

I am super happy about Bulaga, but he could amount to an average player. He doesn't play with elite knee-bend, he isn't overly quick, and he does have short arms. With the edge rushers in our division, we need a guy with that quick first step and a long enough wingspan to hold the corner. I hope that Bulaga doesn't have to start from day 1, because he would be manhandled by Peppers and Allen. Bulaga has the potential to be a Joe Thomas type of talent, but I don't think we'll see much of that this year. I would be more than happy to bite my tongue if I am proven wrong.

[Tony Oday]

LOVE this quote!!!!


Bulaga has a big time mean streak which is essential for any NFL left tackle.

[RashanGary]

Alright, I'm out. See you guys and gals tomorrow.

In my humble, uninformed opinion, this is a great start to the draft. I'm hoping for two more quality guys at positions of need on day two!! I'd love to trade Colledge for a 3rd rounder too!!

[Joemailman]

Am I correct in thinking that the Packers can't trade Colledge because he hasn't signed his tender?

[Harlan Huckleby]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2010/04/21/VI2010042103528.html

he looks about 35 years old.


I'm glad they took an offensive tackle, but nobody knows how good he'll be.

[Harlan Huckleby]

The second tier was Bradford, Haden, Okung, Williams, and Thomas.

Brandon Graham of MI dominated every game I saw him play, he was MI's whole defense. I think he has the quicks to be a great pro.

[Bretsky]

He's the guy I wanted--which scares me. I also liked Jerry Hughes and Patrick Robinson.

Relax. I don't think Bretsky mentioned him.

Sorry........but I've been kosher with Brian B from the very start
I just never thought he'd fall this far

I gotta endorse this as a solid pick

Still really liked Jerry Hughes though; great dude also. At least he gets to play with a great organization. He will be heard from

[mission]

Wow, check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DYk6GzwHC4

Forget about him getting beat the first play, pretty sure that was first game of the year against Graham. There are at least 10 plays in there where he's pushing a guy 10 yards down the field. He looks nasty as hell, never stops. I bet his play will light a fire under Colledge's ass.

I haven't really watched much on Buluga only because I didn't think we had a chance at him.

I did root against them when they played Georgia Tech and I thought he completely stonewalled Derrick Morgan who I was rooting for to tare it up. That's when I just assumed he was a top 14 guy.

Not super sexy, was somehow hoping for Graham but you gotta like our depth on the line a lot more now. I wonder how the lineup will shake out...

Can't wait for tomorrow