Interestingly, through Week 13 of the 2018 season, 5 of the 10 top rated PFF OTs were not drafted in the 1st round. Further, two of those 1st rounders were very bottom of the 1st (so nearly 2nd rounders).
4th round pick
3rd round pick
3 2nd round picks
I don't have data on how this compares to years' past, but my gut tells me that it was more heavily skewed toward high 1st round picks. If that is the case, that could mean the following:
1) There are more big, coordinated, agile players available than ever before.
2) Following from (1), the space between top tier and lower tiers at the OT position has contracted.
3) Schemes require less from OTs than they have in the past:
a) The ball is getting out more quickly.
b) Today's QBs have greater pocket awareness and escape ability (which somewhat reduces the "blind-side protectoer" imperative).
c) RPO and ZRO render either the play-side or the back-side end (or both) less decisive in their edge rush.
d) The significant horizontal set-dressing (all of the Jet Sweep and Endaround looks) do the same work as/force-multiplies (c).
e) The re-emergence of Trap and Wham plays (specifically move TEs coming underneath the formation from the opposite side to block a DE who has been "let go" by an OT) does the same work as/force multiplies (c).
