2017 NFL Combine: 10 Players to Watch
By John Buhler
Forrest Lamp
Offensive Guard, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Though this year’s crop of offensive tackle prospects leave a lot to be desired, the interior guys in the 2017 NFL Draft look to be something to write home about. The best interior player entering the draft this year might be Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Forrest Lamp.
Lamp played his best game of the 2016 NCAA season against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Obviously, Western Kentucky lost, but Lamp left a long-lasting impression on scouts from his play against elite competition. It also help that the Hilltoppers won Conference USA again this season.
Lamp did briefly participate in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, but had his week of practice cuts short due to injury after the first day. Still, Lamp proved to be the best looking interior prospect in Mobile that week. His footwork and hand placement is outstanding.
It’s rare to see a guard be a serious contender to be someone’s first round pick. Yes, it does happen annually, but the likelihood that Lamp will be Zack Martin is greater than he’ll be a Jonathan Cooper. A great showing at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine would make Lamp the first offensive guard off the board in this year’s draft.