Auburn DL vs Oregon OL: One of 2019's best matchups

Everyone here is familiar with the Auburn DL. They are considered the top DL returning in 2019. They need no introduction on this board.

Oregon OL graded out as the #3 unit by PFF for 2018 in all CFB. They suffered no key losses to the unit from last year. New additions include Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and Jonah Tauanu'u. Both of whom should compete on an already deep line.


Projected starters:

LT Penei Sewell (6'6" 345): 7 starts
LG Shane Lemieux (6'4" 317): 38 starts
C Jake Hanson (6'5" 297): 37 starts
RG Dallas Warmack (6'2" 316): 12 starts
RT Calvin Throckmorton (6'5" 315): 38 starts

Key reserves:

RT Brady Aiello 6'7" 310 with 20 starts and LT/RT Steven Jones 6'7" 354 with the lone start as a true frosh are the two reserves with starts (153 starts between 7 players). Dallas Warmack is most likely to lose his starting status in a competition with Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu at RG. The latter early enrolled as the JUCO's #1 prospect, reshaped his body to a blithe 332 pounds and looked the part spring camp.

The stars:

Sewell is the crown jewel of this OL. Most mock 2021 drafts will have him top 10 and Cristobal is on record saying he's the best OL he's recruited. Kid is a prodigious talent. He was the best OL on the team day #1 as a true frosh.

Throckmorton is on some mock draft boards as a 1st rounder but I believe athleticism (length particularly) will drop him to the 2nd or 3rd round but he's a first round technician. Anchors really well in pass blocking and has a thick lower body.

Lemieux is a road grader at LG. He was the best graded run blocker in the Pac 12 by a wide margin. I can't see him going past the 3rd round.

My up and comer is Steven Jones. He needs to drop weight. If he commits himself to the weight room the sky is the limit. Even last year in his lone start against UCLA playing over 360 pounds (true frosh), he was the highest graded player on either team for the game by PFF. He is extremely heavy handed with quick feet but needs to shed pounds to stay healthy and to sustain that level.

Prediction:

I am going to give the edge to Auburn's DL with this being a first game and on a "neutral" site. However, I believe you will see fits and starts of what will be a great OL. This may be the best pass pro OL I have seen at Oregon, so to me Herbert not getting rattled and making some big time throws will be the key to this offense going.

Should be fun, Auburn fans....