Eight tackles were drafted in the first round, and all but two have started the majority of their team's games.

If we could draft the tackles over again based on their first-year performances, this is the order in which they would be picked.

\ 1. Ryan Clady, Broncos

Originally chosen: 12th overall, second among OTs.

Sacks allowed: One-half.

Sizing him up: He and Tennessee's Michael Roos are the only two tackles in the NFL who have started every game and not allowed a full sack.

With Clady anchoring the line at left tackle, the Broncos are on pace to set a team record for fewest sacks allowed and lowest percentage of sacks per pass play.

This physical specimen (6 feet 6 inches, 325 pounds) has shut down Atlanta's John Abraham, Miami's Joey Porter and Carolina's Julius Peppers, who have 451/2 sacks between them.

Clady also has been part of a run blocking unit that has allowed the Broncos to average 4.5 yards per rush even though the team has been forced to place five running backs on injured reserve. On runs to the left, behind Clady, the Broncos have averaged 5.43 yards, third highest in the NFL.

When Clady came out of Boise State after his junior season, the concern was that he was raw and might take time to develop. That hardly has been the case.

"He's very easy to coach," Broncos offensive line coach Rick Dennison said. "You tell him what to do, he does it. He really has worked hard at it too. He doesn't make a whole lot of mistakes. If he makes one, generally speaking, he doesn't make it again."

\ 2. Jake Long, Dolphins

Originally chosen: 1st overall.

Sacks allowed: 21/2.

Sizing him up: The left tackle was the leading vote getter among fans in voting for the Pro Bowl, but he didn't make the team because he didn't get enough votes from coaches and players. Clady was a more deserving Pro Bowl candidate, though Long has had a very good year.

The overachieving Dolphins have averaged 4.1 yards per carry. Long has been penalized just five times all season.

\ 3. Brandon Albert, Chiefs

Originally chosen: 15th overall, fourth OT.

Sacks allowed: 41/2.

Sizing him up: He missed the entire preseason with a foot sprain but started the season opener at left tackle and every game but one since. Alberts acclimated to tackle quickly after playing mostly guard at Virginia.

He has taken well to coaching and showed improvement as the season went on, along with the rest of the Chiefs offense.

Chiefs coaches and players believe he can be a future Pro Bowler.

\ 4. Jeff Otah, Panthers

Originally chosen: 19th overall, sixth OT.

Sacks allowed: 5.

Sizing him up: Though he missed four games with an ankle injury, Otah has been a big part of a Panthers' running game that leads the NFL with 4.8 yards per carry.

The Panthers traded away their first-round pick in 2009 to get Otah, and have no regrets.

\ 5. Sam Baker, Falcons

Originally chosen: 21st overall, seventh OT.

Sacks allowed: None.

Sizing him up: Like the Bears' Chris Williams, he had surgery to repair a herniated disc. But he at least started five games first, and he played exceptionally well.

He played last week for the first time since surgery but did not start and is listed as questionable on the injury report to play Sunday against the Vikings.

\ 6. Gosder Cherilus, Lions

Originally chosen: 17th overall, fifth OT.

Sacks allowed: 6.

Sizing him up: He was promoted to the starting lineup at right tackle in the third game of the season, then started three games before being benched for a game after a substandard performance against the Vikings. He has started eight games since with mixed results.

\ 7. Duane Brown, Texans

Originally chosen: 26th overall, eighth OT.

Sacks allowed: 101/2.

Sizing him up: Brown has started every game and has shown improvement. He has been part of a rushing attack that has averaged 116.4 yards per game, compared to 99.1 a year ago.

\ 8. Chris Williams, Bears

Originally chosen: 14th overall, third OT.

Sacks allowed: None.

Sizing him up: After back surgery forced him to miss the first seven games, he has played mostly on the kicking team.

Though his rookie contributions have been negligible, the Bears remain high on Williams, as they should.

It is completely possible he could be at or near the top of this list one year from now.

\ Quick hits

*It could be one and done for Redskins coach Jim Zorn. He has questioned himself, his players privately have questioned him and you know impatient owner Dan Snyder must be questioning him.

*Vikings coach Brad Childress made the right call sticking with Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback. If Jackson is faltering by halftime, Childress always can make the switch to Gus Frerotte.

*The best thing for Mike Holmgren is to leave Seattle. The best thing for the NFL is for Holmgren to be on the sidelines with another team next season.

*An era ended in Kansas City this week when team president and general manager Carl Peterson started boxing up the contents of his desk at Arrowhead Stadium. Peterson deserves credit for rejuvenating the franchise, but after 20 years and an ownership change, the time was right for change. Owner Clark Hunt wants to look outside for a new general manager, but he should give his player personnel guy Bill Kuharich a try.

- - -

Scout talk

The senior group of safeties does not offer any prospects who figure to be taken at the very top of the draft, but it does offer excellent depth. From the way it looks now, as many as eight senior safeties could be taken in the first three rounds. Here are the highest ranked ones based on conversations with NFL scouts.

1. William Moore, Missouri. Not having great season, but is highly regarded because of size (6-1, 230), speed and temperament. True strong safety who hits hard, but instincts are questionable.

2. Patrick Chung, Oregon. He is athletic, fast and aggressive. Has good feel for position. Isn't most physical tackler and hasn't made a lot of plays on ball.

3. Kevin Ellison, USC. Very physical and aggressive player who is weapon against run. Has thick build. Playing in space is not forte.

4. Rashad Johnson, Alabama. Like defensive coordinator on field. Has good ball skills but lacks size (6-0, 186) and speed.

5. Michael Hamlin, Clemson. Four-year starter with good size (6-3, 205) and eyes. Average athletically.

6. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan. Has climbed charts this year. Physical safety supports run well. Is limited in coverage but has range.

7. Curtis Taylor, LSU. Size (6-3, 204) and athleticism a plus but instincts a minus. Has not had great season.

8. Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest. Physical and fast, he looks part at 6-2, 215. Judgment questionable. Technique could be improved.

9. Nic Harris, Oklahoma. Has NFL body (6-3, 230) and could be considered outside linebacker. Runs well for size. Instincts are issue.

10. Courtney Greene, Rutgers. Plays aggressively in the box. Isn't great in coverage and has average tools.

dpompei@tribune.com

You could win $10,000: Think you know pro Football? Then play the Tribune's pick 'em game at chicagotribune.com/officepool