Rookie interior lineman drafted high (1st day picks) have great sucess rates as starters in their first year. Most importantly, the top tear players have played fantastically and we grabbed two of the 3 (Alex Mack went 21st).
In 2005
Chris Spencer, Logan Mankins, David Baas and Marcus Johnson drafted in the first two rounds, only one Bass hasn't lived up to that billing and both Spencer/Mankins started off the bat.
2006
Davin Joseph, Nick Mangold, Duece Lutui, Daryn Collegde, Ryan Cook, Chris Chestor, and Jason Spitz, Charles Spencer in the 3rd. The first four are all starter and only Lutui wasn't starting his rookie. Spitz the 4th center taken started his rookie year with Collegde in GB.
2007
Ben Grubs, Aaron Sears, Justin Blayock, Ryan Khalil, Sameson Satele. The guards (who all weren't guards) Grubs, Sears and Blayock all started as rookies and our good players (Sears career may be threatened due to concussion problems). Satele started as a rookie but is no longer with the fins and while sitting a year Khalil is the center of one of the best o lines in football. Marsha Yanda was the first guard taken in the 3rd that year as well started as a rookie. The Iowa lineman is similar in size to and demeanor to Levitre and like Andy shifted from tackle to guard.
2008 was a poor year for interior linemen but as you can see the highly touted guys still played good
Chico Rachil, and Mike Pollack were the only two Interior Lineman drafted in the first day, both guys started last year and like Wood Pollack moved from center to guard. Jeremy Zuttah was the only other interior linemen drafted in the first 3 rounds and now he will start if Sears can't be cleared medically.