This skill has Rutgers' Tariq Cole receiving early NFL Draft 2019 buzz

Tariq Cole still has plenty of fans at Pro Football Focus.

The analytics-driven outlet featured Cole, Rutgers' left tackle, as an early offensive line name to know ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft due to his pass blocking efficiency. Cole had a PBE rating of 97.7 last fall, which was tied for 13th nationally.

PFF has had high praise for Cole in the past, naming him the Big Ten's most underrated player in 2016. Now Cole is a senior, and he will be leaned on as the Scarlet Knights' anchor up front as they attempt to qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 2014.

Cole considered leaving early for the NFL after last season, but opted to return to Rutgers for his final season. NFL.com rated him its No. 100 player to watch for next year's draft, which would put Cole in range to potentially be picked in the first three rounds. His draft stock will go up or down, of course, based on how he plays this fall and then handles the pre-draft process next year.

Cole has been named Third-Team preseason All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports and Lindy's ahead of the season, and fourth-team by Phil Steele. Rutgers spent the spring mixing and matching players at different spots on the line, but Cole is locked in as left tackle.

"I like to challenge those guys. I don't like them to just sit in a rut," Rutgers offensive line coach A.J. Blazek said during spring practice. "Sometimes you're going to have to move, and he's never done it. You get a veteran guy, and you can move him.

"We're trying to find a combination to put the best five out there, and then we have an answer for (when) a right side, a left side, a center that go down. NFL style, you have to have eight guys. Nine is great."

James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.

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