2023 NFL Draft: OT Rankings
1
Paris Johnson
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 313 lbs
Strengths:
Johnson is a tall OT prospect with athleticism and length that gives him the potential to reach the upper tier of his position. The athleticism is evident when in pass protection, especially when defenders try to win around the edge. He has mirroring ability and is calmly able to guide his opponent around the arc and out the back door. Further, the athleticism is on display when opponents are being passed off. He has shown the ability to transition seamlessly. Length is a huge asset for Johnson. In addition to his athleticism, this also assists him in guiding his opponents around the arc. As well, it helps him recover when initially beaten, and makes disengaging from blocks a bigger chore for defenders. Johnson blocks well on the move. He does well when pulling across the line. His lateral agility looks good on these plays. As well, he does well when lead blocking up the field. Effort is always there. Not only does he finish plays off, but he also looks for work when sitting with nothing to do. His head is on a swivel and he can spot rushers coming in late. Johnson flashes power in his game, both in his run blocking and pass blocking. Given that his frame has room to fill out, even more growth in this area is probable, and suggests that as good as he has been in college, his best is still in front of him. Johnson showed significant improvement once he was shifted over from guard to tackle. But the experience at multiple positions is still a plus. You never know when it might come in handy in a pinch.
Weaknesses:
The tools are all there for him to succeed, but Johnson is not without things to work on. His power and strength are both traits that are visible in flashes, but more strength will need to be added for more consistency to show. He is certainly not in a bad place at the present moment, but he does have his fair share of stalemates. There are instances where he is pushed back, but in a lot of these cases, a high pad level seems more to blame than a strength issue. It can be tough for taller guys to stay low, but he will need to be more consistent in this area to avoid losing leverage. Johnson does well in pass protection, but he also shows some passiveness that I am not a fan of. Despite having good length and a strong jab, he doesn’t show much desire to initiate contact and really set the tone. He instead chooses to let the defender come to him. For stronger o-linemen, this can workout fine. However, for ones with middling strength, it often prevents them from creating much push, and can lead to stalemates, and sometimes losses. In the case of stalemates, it makes the pocket smaller for the QB, and though not technically be counted as a loss in the individual matchup, it can contribute to a poor result on the play. In the run game, he is obviously forced to be a bit more aggressive, and his natural ability does show. However, lunges and overextensions are also present, and have led to quick stops for the defence.
Summary:
Johnson is an OT prospect with higher end starter upside. His size, length, and athleticism are all unteachable assets that he possesses. These have allowed him to have plenty of success in both pass protection and in the run game. He is not without deficiencies, and will need to add strength and play at a lower pad level more consistently. As well, a bit more aggressiveness in pass protection would be nice, and the whiffs in the run game need to be limited. With what he does well at this present moment, I do believe he can start on day one. There may be some growing pains, but as his technique improves, and he gets stronger, big strides forward will likely be taken. Over time, Johnson can become a top player at his position.
| Grade 86.4 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Broderick Jones
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 311 lbs
Strengths:
Jones has desirable measurables that allow for a favourable projection to the next level. He has a good build with the strength to anchor down against power rushers and move people off of their spot in the run game. Jones has strong hands and can be very disruptive if he initiates contact, which he does often. His natural length is also an asset in both phases. The strength already makes it difficult, but his long arms make it tough for defenders to get around him and also to disengage from blocks. For the most part, when he’s got you, he can take you right out of the play. Jones has good athleticism and his lateral movement is good. When his pass sets are on point, he is displaying smooth footwork and the ability to mirror rushers. You see the quickness when stunts are called, which force him to redirect. This transition is usually pretty smooth. You also see the movement skills when he is pulling across the line. The speed and agility help him get to his target, both vertically and horizontally. Further, he usually takes the right angles and is able to hit his moving targets in time to help the runner.
Weaknesses:
Jones has the athleticism and strength of a starter in the NFL, but still needs development when it comes to technique. His footwork in his pass sets can get a bit choppy at times, which makes it harder to match up against speed. His natural length and power can be huge assets, especially when he initiates contact with his opponent. However, Jones often lunges and overextends, leading to his blocks being whiffed. He needs to get his timing better on some of these plays to avoid ending up out of position. The strength allows him to anchor, while his length provides him with natural leverage over his opponents. However, Jones is often seen playing at a pad level that is too high. In these instances, defenders that take advantage can negate his positive traits and walk him backwards into the pocket. He is unable to drive with his legs in these instances, and allows unnecessary pressure to get into the pocket. The pad level issue also shows up in the run game, and inhibits him from creating much push. This keeps the defender in the play, and also makes disengaging easier, while also providing less running room for the ball carrier.
Summary:
Jones is a high upside player with good movement skills that he combines with good size, strength, and natural length. You see the flashes of dominance in which he anchors down against bullrushes, or flattens someone on the move. His technique will need some work in order for him to reach his potential, however. With the natural tools, he is someone who could probably start in year 1, even if there might be some growing pains. As he gains experience and improves technique, the mistakes should decrease significantly. Jones is projected to go in the 1st round.
| Grade: 85.8 | Round Grade: 1st |
3
Dawand Jones
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’8”, 374 lbs
Strengths:
Jones is a rugged, powerful RT with outstanding length. Though power is the name of his game, he is a surprisingly good mover for his size. Overall, his footwork is pretty smooth, and this, combined with his great length, makes it tough for rushers to get around the edge. Jones’ has the ability to mirror his opponents. At his best, he is blocking in a phone booth. His ability to anchor down and not give a single inch of push is quite impressive. Jones has a large frame that just absorbs contact, and his arm length is something that he can use to give himself a clear advantage when it comes to leverage. His punch is strong and can really disrupt rushers as they try to get to the QB. He has quick feet that allow him to redirect and pick up stunts before they can do any damage. As a run blocker, he has guys on the ground often. Jones paves massive lanes for the ball carrier. A strong push is generated very quickly, and he makes it very tough for his opponent to disengage from the block. He does well when asked to pull across the line, as well.
Weaknesses:
Jones is a good athlete, especially for his size. However, there is still a little bit of limitation. His footspeed doesn’t quite match his lateral mobility. This shows up especially when he is moving up the field. His blocks are nice when they hit, but he can lag a bit when trying to move forward, which can limit the amount of blocks he can stack up. Footwork is generally solid, but there are some instances of choppiness that can slow him down. Jones has a strong punch, but hand placement was an issue for Jones. Defenders are able to take advantage of this and gain leverage on him. He also loses leverage at times by playing at a higher pad level. Arguably the biggest issue to his game is balance. His frame is quite top heavy, and perhaps getting a bit leaner would help him out here. At this point, bendier rushers do have an avenue in which they are able to get the upper hand on him, even in spite of his length advantage.
Summary:
Jones is a quality RT prospect who offers a lot of raw power and strength, along with length that can create leverage mismatches. Though he is not a perfect athlete, it is quite good for his size. Combined with his other traits, it is something that coaches will love. His technique looks pretty solid, though there are some minor kinks that will need to be ironed out. As well, getting leaner could help improve some balance issues. Jones has a chance to make it into day 1 of the draft. At this point, he seems to be exclusively a RT prospect. He doesn’t seem to have the versatility that many look for, but given his quality as a player, it probably won’t matter much anyways. Jones projects as a quality starting RT at the next level.
| Grade: 85.7 | Round Grade: 1st |
4
Anton Harrison
School: Oklahoma
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 315 lbs
Strengths:
Harrison comes with a nice blend of size, length, and athleticism. He is someone that can be tough to get around purely because of his reach. Factoring in his big frame, rushers are sometimes engulfed at contact, and are unable to disengage. Harrison is a real smooth mover, both laterally and vertically. The quick movement skills and long reach help him handle twists and stunts, while also giving him a better chance to recover when beaten. His blocking on the move is quite good. He pulls across the line effortlessly, and in a similar way, he is able to scoot his way up field, ahead of the ball carrier, and stack up his blocks. Though his frame is quite big, there is still room to fill out and add strength. Given how well he has played up to this point, the additional upside is definitely a good reason for excitement.
Weaknesses:
Harrison brings plenty of upside, but isn’t quite a finished product. His strength never looked like a weakness in college, but he wasn’t exactly bulldozing guys either. The good news is that there is a lot of room to fill out his frame. Doing so will help him create more push in the run game, and help him handle power in the NFL. Additionally, Harrison will need to work on his footwork in pass protection. There are instances where he doesn’t get enough depth in his set and will give his opponent a better angle to the QB, and one that can be more exposed. Further, there were a few instances of lunging that I would like to see him remove from his game.
Summary:
Harrison brings a lot of upside thanks to his big frame, long reach, and smooth movement skills. His strength and anchor ability is solid, but not something that stood out as a big plus to his game in this present moment. He’ll need to add some muscle to better handle NFL power rushers and to create more push in the run game. To his benefit, he possesses a frame that will be able to handle the extra muscle mass. As he gets stronger and cleans up some technical stuff, Harrison can become a quality starter at LT in the NFL.
| Grade: 85.4 | Round Grade: 1st |
5
Darnell Wright
School: Tennessee
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 333 lbs
Strengths:
Wright has a big frame that absorbs contact well. He brings strength that is able to handle NFL power on day 1. Wright’s ability to block in a phone booth is impressive. He doesn’t get driven back often, and his feet dig in and can stop any initial progress that the defender might have gotten. Footwork in his pass sets is pretty smooth, and he generally does well to square up to his opponent. Power in his hands is enough to disrupt the pass rush plan of his opponent, and it can be tough for them to disengage. Wright’s strength and power translates nicely to the run game. The push that he generates is significant, and he has the ability to put guys on the ground. He has enough athleticism to pull across the line with some effectiveness. When he is stacking up blocks successfully, Wright will be bowling people over. Wright has put up good tape against good competition. His work against Alabama’s Will Anderson is especially impressive. Further, a good Senior Bowl week should see his stock improve.
Weaknesses:
While his athleticism is solid, he lacks that extra step that could have really put him into the next tier as a prospect. His strength and footwork allow him to win often in pass protection, but quickness and speed will still get to him from time to time. Especially when the defender gets a good jump off the line, Wright can be left chasing. His arm length is also pretty average, and he doesn’t have the leverage advantages of some of the other prospects in this class. There are times where he’ll whiff with his hands in pass protection, making it very tough for him to recover. Since he can be a bit heavy on his feet, mirroring isn’t always something he does successfully. He usually wins when he is able to sustain the block all the way through. However, counter moves have gotten the best of him at times. He’ll be selling out to protect the edge, and he doesn’t always have the quickness to react to counter moves in time. In the run game, his athleticism is passable, but you do see some clunkiness as he tries to head north. When the locks are in closer range, he uses his power well and can stack blocks nicely. However, he isn’t always the best at getting there, when the range is larger. The average arm length can also play a role here, as it can sometimes prevent him from getting as much into the block, when blocking on the move. It can sometimes cause him to lunge.
Summary:
Wright is a good prospect who should be able to start on day 1 in the NFL. The power he plays with is impressive, and gives him a pretty high floor in both phases of the game. He isn’t a perfect athlete, and it did cause a few problems. Same can be said for length. Not at the level where it is a big concern, but not perfect either. These things may turn some off, but I think he is still decent enough in both areas for it not to be a major issue. His ability to anchor in pass protection and pave lanes in the run game should outweigh the imperfections that he comes with. Strong possibility to start on day 1.
| Grade: 84.9 | Round Grade: 2nd |
6
Matthew Bergeron
School: Syracuse
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 318 lbs
Strengths:
Bergeron is extremely athletic for the position. His movement skills are outstanding and the smoothness in which he operates pops right away when you turn on his tape. His footwork is generally pretty clean. He has obvious mirroring ability. Bergeron can shadow his opponent around the arc, but also react quickly when the rush attack is changed. His quick feet allow him to pick up stunts and various blitzes. It allows for a seamless transition when pass rushers are passed off. The athleticism translates into the run game as well. He can pull across the line with some effectiveness, and his ability to scoot upfield in a hurry is impressive. Quickness is not all he possesses, as his speed is also evident on these occasions. Bergeron has a pretty solid base that can absorb some contact. He has flashed power at times, in pass protection and as a run blocker. Versatility is something he brings to the table. He played RT early on in his college career, before eventually shifting over to the left side. The upside he possesses is easy to see.
Weaknesses:
The natural tools are evident, but he is still a bit of a work in progress. From a technical standpoint, his hands probably hurt him more than they help him at times. His placement can be well off, as well as his timing, leaving the opportunity open for the defender to gain leverage on him. Modest arm length also doesn’t help, and he sometimes ends up reverting to holding his opponent. Bergeron can play a bit passive at times, and perhaps being a bit more forceful could do him some favours. Speaking of leverage, his pad level has also been an issue at various points. It will rise up pretty high, allowing defenders to get under him and gain forward momentum. Bergeron is okay when it comes to strength, but there is definitely room to add. There are instances where he anchors and moves people in the run game. However, more consistency and especially more dominance would be nice from a high profile prospect. Stronger pass rushers can exploit him with their bull rush. As well, there are several instances where he fails to generate much movement in the run game, especially when blocking upfield, where he fluffed on some of his blocks. He could also take better angles at times.
Summary:
Bergeron has the tools to be a top tier OT in the NFL. He is one of, if not, the most athletic tackle in the draft. His mirroring ability and speed up the field is impressive. He’ll need to get stronger, but this can and should happen in due time. When he is able to do that, the traits will really stand out. Technique is also an issue that will need to be fixed. Specifically in regards to his hand technique. Timing and placement both need to be more consistent. How early he starts will depend on how quickly he can adapt and make the necessary changes. It is possible he starts day 1. There might be some growing pains, but he is someone who should improve over time.
| Grade: 83.7 | Round Grade: 2nd |
7
Cody Mauch
School: North Dakota State
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 302 lbs
Strengths:
Mauch is among the best small school prospects in this year’s class. Although he went up against lesser competition, he also did well to stifle some of these concerns during the Senior Bowl week. His lateral mobility was impressive on tape, regardless of the competition he faced. Mauch is a very smooth player, and you can see it when he mirrors his opponents as their rush plan progresses. I love his kickslide. I also like that he keeps his frame square to his opponent in pass protection, taking away these extra little avenues that pass rushers often like to exploit. Mauch plays with a fiery attitude and is often looking to put guys on the ground. This is evident in his run blocking. He doesn’t quit until the whistle goes, and his ability to open up lanes is impressive. Mauch comes with tremendous versatility. He is a college tackle, but can play any of the interior positions, and at a high level. His versatility was put to the test at the Senior Bowl, and he passed, against a much higher competition level, too.
Weaknesses:
Mauch is a good prospect, but not without his limitations. Arm length is the one that people will be talking about the most. It didn’t seem like a big problem on tape. However, there were a few instances where his opponent was able to disengage from the block. This also occurred on occasion at the Senior Bowl. The length issue can put a cap on his upside at the next level. As a result, some may project him inside to guard. His short arm length also inhibited him a little in the run game. There were instances where he had to lunge a bit more than he would have liked, which ended with him whiffing on the block. Some poor angles also didn’t help this matter. Mauch is fine when it comes to strength, but bulking up his frame a little more would benefit his game. He would further strengthen his grip on power rushers, and be able to sustain his blocks a little bit longer. Another issue that will need to be fixed is his pad level. Mauch often played too tall, and it can allow defenders to get under him and push him backwards. Especially with his short arms, he can’t be giving opponents additional ways to gain leverage.
Summary:
Mauch is a small school prospect, but his talent level is much bigger. His smooth pass sets stand out immediately, and his tendency to play with a mean streak will impress coaches. The small school competition will be held against him a little, but a good performance during the Senior Bowl week should help eliminate some of these concerns. Mauch is generally good in both pass protection and as a run blocker, and adding strength should further solidify his skills. Playing at a lower pad level will also help. The short arm length will probably have some projecting him inside. And we know that he is capable of doing it. However, I think he still has the talent to play on the outside, with success. But if it doesn’t work out there, his versatility will definitely be a nice thing to be able to fall back on.
| Grade: 82.9 | Round Grade: 2nd |
8
Blake Freeland
School: BYU
Ht/Wt: 6’8”, 302 lbs
Strengths:
Freeland is a towering OT with the frame and reach to make things tough on opponents trying to turn the corner. His biggest asset is actually athleticism. For someone standing at 6’8”, he is an incredibly smooth athlete, and the speed he possesses is also unbelievable. It is a treat to watch him block on the move. Freeland pulls across the line very quickly, building up more power as he goes. This is the case in general, when it comes to his run blocking. He generates momentum, and is able to convert that into power, delivering punishing blocks, and opening running lanes for the ball carrier. Freeland, when on his game, has the ability to mirror in pass protection. He has also flashed power and anchoring ability as a pass protector. The traits are there are there is a lot of upside if he can continue developing.
Weaknesses:
For Freeland, his size can be a bit of a double edged sword. On the bad side for him, it can be tough to keep that pad level down. As a result, defenders, especially ones with upper tier strength, are able to push him back. Freeland will need to get stronger, as there were times he had some trouble sustaining his anchor. The good news is that his frame has plenty of room for some additional bulk. At times, Freeland can let his technique get sloppy. His footwork isn’t so clean when he is overplaying a potential speed move around the edge. As well, these plays also leave him vulnerable to inside moves, which did get the best of him at times. Further, he will need to eliminate the lunges and whiffs, which have led to some reps being lost pretty badly.
Summary:
Freeland comes with a good deal of upside, thanks to his size and outstanding athleticism. He plays with a lot of power in the run game, and his flashes in pass protection have also been really good. Strength will need to be added in order to better handle power at the next level. As well, technique will need to be cleaned up. Freeland may be able to start as a rookie, but growing pains are likely. As he develops technically and physically, Freeland has the chance to be a high end OT in the NFL.
| Grade: 80.6 | Round Grade: 2nd |
9
Peter Skoronski
School: Northwestern
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 313 lbs
Strengths:
Skoronski is a very fluid athlete, which helps him a lot in both phases of the game. In pass protection, he generally shows good footwork, and has quick feet to mirror pass rushers. He anticipates plays well and can sense stunts and late blitzers. His quickness allows him to get these situations under control with ease. In the run game, he has the speed and agility to pull across the line. As well, he is an effective mover in space, and has the ability to reach his blocks and open up lanes for the runner. Skoronski flashes anchor ability, especially against smaller opponents. When he stays squared up and in good position, he is capable of moving people off of their spot in the run game. Skoronski has primarily played LT, but he offers inside/outside versatility, something that many o-line coaches look for.
Weaknesses:
Skoronski is lacking in the size department, and severely lacking when it comes to length. Short arm length has caused him issues on several occasions, sometimes negating the advantage that his athleticism gives him. Staying on that note, speed rushers have given him some trouble, but it is ones who mismatch his length that are really able to cause trouble. He reaches, but is often unable to get much power into his jab, and opponents use it against him. It doesn’t help that his hand positioning isn’t always great. There were a lot of plays that worked out fine for him at the college level, but don’t project well against upper tier NFL talent. Skoronski will need to get stronger as he transitions to the next level. He has flashed the ability to anchor, but he can be hit or miss. Especially considering the jump to NFL competition, more strength is necessary in order to become more consistent. He will also need to do a better job of keeping his pad level down, which should help him play with more power and leverage. There are times where he rises up and gets pushed back, funding himself unable to win the leverage battle. In the run game, his athleticism is an asset, but on too many occasions he offsets it by taking bad angles.
Summary:
Skoronski is a tough evaluation in some ways. His athleticism is very appealing, but there are other deficiencies that he will have to be able to work around. Length is the primary issue for me. It seemed to cause him issues in pass protection, and rushers made it difficult for him to protect the edge. Improving his hand technique will help combat this to an extent. As well, getting stronger should help improve his play in a general sense. Still, with the lingering arm length issues, there will be questions about his best position. With his quickness, he is someone you ideally would like on the outside. However, the length issues will have some teams liking him better at guard, even despite his need for more power in his game. Skoronski will fit best in a zone-based scheme where he can play more to his strengths. Though generally, he is someone I view as a risky player to use a high pick on. How well his game translates seems up in the air.
| Grade: 79.4 | Round Grade: 3rd |
10
Jaelyn Duncan
School: Maryland
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 306 lbs
Strengths:
Duncan is an athletic tackle with the developmental upside to one day be a plus starter. In pass protection, he has shown flashes of smooth footwork. He has the lateral mobility to mirror speed rushers around the edge. For a taller guy, he does a pretty good job of keeping his pad level centred, which helps him win leverage over his opponent. Duncan has also shown tremendous flashes as a run blocker, specifically when asked to block on the move. His lateral mobility makes him capable of executing difficult blocks, and he has the speed to get out there in a hurry and stack his blocks.
Weaknesses:
Duncan is a raw prospect, who will need time to put all the pieces together. His athleticism has led to some nice flashes on tape, but his deficiencies make him inconsistent. Duncan doesn’t always play with good technique. His hand technique can be all over the place, and it allows defenders to get position on him. Footwork can also get sloppy at times. Duncan will need to get stronger at the next level. He often struggled to sustain his anchor, and also was not a great finisher in the run game. When blocking in space, he needs to play smarter and take better angles.
Summary:
Duncan’s athleticism is high-end, and it gives him the upside to be a starter in this league. On tape, he has shown flashes of what that may look like. Unfortunately, the flashes have been mixed in with inconsistencies in a lot of areas. Technique is a big one that will have to be fixed. Both hand technique and sloppy footwork have led to some poor reps, and things will only be tougher in the NFL, if he can’t fix them. He will also need to add strength to better handle players that play with a lot of power. I don’t see him as an early starter, but with some development, he could start in a couple of years.
| Grade: 73.7 | Round Grade: 4th |
11
Earl Bostick
School: Kansas
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 309 lbs
Strengths:
Bostick is a tackle prospect who brings great athleticism to the table. It was clear early into his tape that he is a smooth athlete, both laterally and straight ahead. His pass set is very clean. Bostick mirrors speed rushers effectively, and can get wide in his set. This lengthens the distance it takes to get around the edge and to the QB. Bostick is able to react quickly to stunts or rushers that are coming in late. His movement skills are noticeable when pulling across the line. As well, he gets out into space quickly.
Weaknesses:
The natural athleticism shines bright, but Bostick does not have the natural strength or power to match it. In pass protection, he has trouble sustaining his blocks, and many of his best reps are merely stalemates. This is also the case in the run game. There have been times where his man was able to disengage early, and actually travel a distance to bring down the ball carrier himself. Arm length is also an issue. It shows up more in the run game, but the quick passing offence likely shields him in pass protection, to an extent. As a run blocker, you see some whiffs as a result of his short arms. It puts more pressure on him to get there quickly. Bad angles, however, did show up on tape, and will need to be cut down.
Summary:
I’m a big fan of Bostick’s upside. He is a smooth, natural athlete. His lateral movement skills make it tough on edge rushers, even with the other deficiencies. The arm length is a concern that will always remain, but adding bulk and getting stronger should help give him a more rounded game. If he can anchor better against power rushers, and create more push in the run game, Bostick can become a starter at LT, though I don’t think I see him starting early on in an ideal situation.
| Grade: 73.4 | Round Grade: 4th |
12
Wanya Morris
School: Oklahoma
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 307 lbs
Strengths:
Morris has a big frame, yet is quite nimble on his feet. He moves well in all aspects that the position requires of him. His lateral agility is good, and he is capable of being very smooth in his pass sets. Mirroring potential is there. As well, he pulls across the line nicely, and can get forward upfield in a hurry. Morris likes to play with a mean streak, often looking for a way to flatten someone into the ground. This is especially evident when he is blocking in space. He does a good job of using momentum to his advantage, delivering a punishing blow and creating more running room for the ball carrier.
Weaknesses:
Morris has a pretty big frame, but at this point, his strength doesn’t match. He has a lot of trouble when faced with power. While he initially seems to neutralize it, Morris is unable to handle further attempts by his opponent. He is unable to sustain blocks very long, and also struggles at times to latch on and create some push in the run game. It doesn’t help that his technique is very sloppy a lot of the time. His footwork is inconsistent and instances of poor hand technique, lunging, and impatience litter his tape. Rushers use his positioning and momentum against him, and their counter moves are often very effective. Morris doesn’t always have the ability to reset when pass rushers use counter moves on him.
Summary:
Morris is a big guy who possesses smooth, natural athleticism that you don’t see from too many guys of his size. He plays with a nasty mean streak, which coaches will love. However, he is a project at this point. Morris will need to get stronger so that he can consistently play with the power that matches his demeanor, and to be able to hold up against bullrushes. As well, his technique in various areas will need to improve significantly in order to not be exposed by savvy pass rushers. The potential is there, and with the right improvements, he has starting potential at RT or even G. But it likely will take some time, and patience will be needed.
| Grade: 70.1 | Round Grade: 4th |
13
Carter Warren
School: Pitt
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 311 lbs
Strengths:
Warren has a massive frame that makes it a chore for edge rushers attempting to work around it. His arm length gives him an advantage when battling for leverage. He has flashed natural power from time to time, showing some ability to anchor in pass protection and create some running lanes for the ball carrier. Warren can really pack a strong punch, and delivers punishing blows as he gets into his pass set, and even at times as the route progresses. He has some nastiness to him. Warren has good burst and straight line speed to stack blocks that are head on.
Weaknesses:
Warren doesn’t have the agility to match his burst, and can have some tough moments against speedier rushers. Speed around the edge can cause him to abandon his technique, and sell out to keep the edge sealed. As a result, inside counter moves did him in on some occasions. Athleticism also hurts his ability to block in space in the run game. He is capable when the task is more north/south, but he isn’t able to easily adjust to moving bodies. Overall, he is better blocking in a phone booth. Despite the big frame, his strength is only modest. There are instances of good anchors, but he can be pretty inconsistent, and defenders have been able to disengage. This has been the case as both a run and pass blocker.
Summary:
Warren’s big frame is an asset to any o-line room. He has shown some flashes of power, and that, combined with his length, gives you something to work with. Athletically, he is limited. Specifically when it comes to lateral movements. This limitation will stick around, but if Warren can get stronger, he has the chance to bring more consistency to his game when it comes to sustaining blocks. With added strength, in addition to refined technique, Warren can become a quality backup in the league, and possibly a solid starter.
| Grade: 70.0 | Round Grade: 4th |
14
Tyler Steen
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 321 lbs
Strengths:
Steen has a solid set of traits that a team will be able to build on. He is a good athlete, with the ability to smoothly get into his pass set, or get out into space as a run blocker. Steen gets to the second level with some speed and can build up some power as his momentum picks up. He flashes good strength and power early in his reps. The initial anchor is there, and as a run blocker, he has shown the ability to generate a good amount of push. Steen generally sees the field quite well. Stunts don’t usually fool him, and he is also on top of things when defences try to mix in a blitz.
Weaknesses:
Inconsistencies with his technique have been an issue. And it really seems to pop up later on in the play. He’ll get into his pass set nicely, but then abandon his technique part way through the rep, and he will no longer be square to his opponent. Lunging and impatience has also been an issue. In pass protection, this misstep can allow edge rushers to beat him with an arm over. In the run game, you see this result in some whiffs. From a trait perspective, he is good but not great. Overall, he is a fine athlete, but when in space, he does show some stiffness, and seems to be more of a north/south runner. As both a run blocker and pass blocker, you see power early in many of his reps, but his grip strength isn’t good enough, and he allows his opponent to disengage earlier than you would like.
Summary:
Steen is a prospect who has good baseline athleticism and strength. When at his best, his resps are very clean, and he displays good athleticism and power. However, the abandonment of technique is something that will have to be worked out of his game. As well, there are some general improvements that can be made on his technique. Steen shows flashes of power, but will need to improve his grip strength, and show that he can sustain his blocks longer. Overall, I don’t see extremely high-end upside, but the traits are there for him to become a solid starter or good backup. It will likely take some time to reach his ceiling, however, and he will have to work his way up the depth chart.
| Grade: 69.9 | Round Grade: 5th |
15
Asim Richards
School: North Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 309 lbs
Strengths:
Richards plays with a bit of a mean streak and has plenty of strength to handle NFL power. He handles bull rushes relatively well, showing the ability to anchor against power and hold his ground. His hand strikes are very forceful and useful when trying to inhibit his opponent’s rush attack. In the run game, he blocks quite well in a phone booth. Richards has the strength to move defenders off of their platform, opening up a sizable gap for the runner.
Weaknesses:
Richards is a stiff athlete with limitations in both phases of the game. In pass protection, he lacks the lateral agility to consistently protect the edge against speed rushers. His set is pretty narrow, and bendier players are able to get by him. Oversets also leave him vulnerable to inside counters. Richards possesses an abundance of strength, but sometimes negates that advantage by failing to win the leverage battle. He gets his pad level up to high, and rushers are able to strike him in the chest and drive him backwards. In the run game, he blocks well close to home, but he is not someone that I would rely on consistently in space.
Summary:
Richards has good strength and power, and seems to have a somewhat decent floor for the position. At his best, he handles bull rushes well, and he paves big lanes in the run game. Unfortunately, his lateral movement ability isn’t so good, and it hurts his ability to protect the edge against speed. As well, it limits his scheme fit in the run game. The athleticism issue is what it is, but Richards can get better by correcting bad habits from a technique standpoint. He seems to have enough to be a solid backup, though his best chance at starting might actually come as a G.
| Grade: 66.8 | Round Grade: 5th |
16
Braeden Daniels
School: Utah
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 294 lbs
Strengths:
Daniels is an athletic offensive line prospect who will bring a lot of versatility. As an athlete, he has good speed, but is also very bendy. He can get wide in his pass sets quite easily, forcing speed rushers to tap into their bag of counters in order to get to the QB. His recovery ability is noticeable, and he can react quickly to stunts and late blitzers. Daniels moves well in the run game, whether it is across the line or up the field in space. For a smaller guy, he brought more power in the run game than I was expecting. There is a lot of compete in him, and he does well to convert speed into power. The push generated isn’t overly substantial, but it is enough to make an impact. Daniels comes with nice positional versatility, having experience at LT, RT, and LG.
Weaknesses:
Daniels is very undersized for what the position requires. His frame is lean for an offensive lineman, and he currently does not have the strength to consistently hold up against power rushers. While his athleticism is a plus against speed, power is an alternative that is often used against him, as he doesn’t have that ability to anchor down. Pass rushers have the ability to walk him backwards towards the QB. His arm length also isn’t great, and the leverage he loses as a result does not make things easier. It is tougher for him to engage first, and he often ends up whiffing a little bit, allowing his opponent to use a simple arm over to get by him. Both of these issues show up in the run game. He does play with power at times, but this is not the case on a lot of his reps. As well, it may not be translatable to the next level without getting a lot stronger. From a technical standpoint, his hand placement could be more consistent.
Summary:
Daniels comes with some upside thanks to his high end athleticism, and his versatility will have coaches interested. The way he can cover the arc is impressive, and his movement skills can certainly be an asset in the run game. However, he will need to bulk up and get a lot stronger before he can be trusted to play meaningful snaps. Even players with modest power are able to have their way a lot of the time, and his short arms make things even more difficult. If he can add the necessary strength, his game might be able to round out a bit better. It is hard to say at this point if he’ll be able to work his way up to being a starter, but he should be worth a mid round flyer as a developmental prospect with versatility.
| Grade: 66.6 | Round Grade: 5th |
17
Colby Sorsdal
School: William & Mary
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 301 lbs
Strengths:
Sorsdal is a smooth, athletic tackle with the ability to mirror edge rushers around the arc. His feet are quick, and he is able to adjust to quick counter attempts by his opponent. I love how he makes a point of staying square to his opponent, whether in pass protection or the run game. Sorsdal pulls quickly across the line, and also blocks well up the field in space. He plays with his head on a swivel, taking good angles and being able to react in time when members of the secondary change their angle of pursuit. Against the competition he faced, Sorsdal showed the ability to anchor in pass protection, giving the QB enough time to get the ball out.
Weaknesses:
Sorsdal has generally been able to anchor down against his opposition, but the quality of competition he faced in college was far lower than most draft prospects. Facing stronger power rushers in the NFL will be a steep adjustment, and probably won’t be a seamless transition. From a technical standpoint, his hand placement and timing stands out as the biggest issue. He can be late to strike his opponent, and his hands can get swept away. On these plays, he often gets beat to the inside, as his opponent is able to out-leverage him and open up a gap to penetrate through the line.
Summary:
I’m bullish on Sorsdal’s upside, as his blend of fluidity and toughness is one that has the ability to translate to the NFL. However, while he also anchored well in college, I’m not sure if that will translate to the next level without some additional strength being added. He faced a far lower level of competition, and the NFL will present him with a whole new challenge. Sorsdal probably isn’t someone who will start right away, but if he can iron out some technical kinks, and put some work in the weight room, he can develop into a starter at some point in the future.
| Grade: 65.6 | Round Grade: 5th |
18
Dalton Wagner
School: Arkansas
Ht/Wt: 6’8”, 320 lbs
Strengths:
Wagner is a big body with the strength and length to make it in the NFL. He plays with a road grader mentality, and is capable of putting guys on the ground. Power is the best component of his game. When rushers try to take a basic approach, he is able to neutralize their power, and anchor down. His long arms make the arc around the edge wider than it would be otherwise. He has strong hands and packs a power punch. In the run game he gets a decent amount of push. Wagner has just enough athletic ability to execute shorter pulls, and to stack a couple of blocks a short distance up the field.
Weaknesses:
Wagner isn’t super athletic, as it relates to the position. He can do the most basic stuff, but bendier pass rushers will prove to be tricky for him. When forced to get wider into his pass set, his footwork can get sloppy, and he doesn’t really have the agility to mirror his opponent. He can give up pressures around the edge as a result. The inside edge is also an issue for him at times, as he doesn’t have the quickness to recover in time when savvy rushers are able to create quick penetration. Wagner has a tendency to overset, and when his pad level rises and his feet stop moving, pass rushers are able to beat him with an inside counter. In the run game, I wouldn’t have him playing far away from his home base very often. He lacks the lateral agility to land his blocks in space.
Summary:
Wagner will fit best in a power-based scheme, where he can play to his advantages. His limited foot quickness will cause issues against speed and pass rushers with finesse. As well, he isn’t a great blocker in space. Despite the limitations, his power and length will be appreciated by coaches. With these traits, he has shown that he can at least hold his in both pass protection and as a run blocker. He will be a scheme dependent player at the next level. But in the right one, and with improved technique, he could end up being a solid backup and maybe even a backend starter.
| Grade: 64.9 | Round Grade: 6th |
19
Warren McClendon
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 306 lbs
Strengths:
McClendon is a high effort player, who also uses good positioning to give him an edge in his battles. When delivering strikes with his hands, he is able to get a lot of power into them, which has been effective at throwing his opponent off a bit. McClendon shows some anchoring ability and has enough quickness to manage things within his phone booth. Though primarily a RT, he is someone who can be moved around if needed. His versatility could give him a leg up when battling for depth positions.
Weaknesses:
When it comes to traits, McClendon is a bit lacking. Despite some flashes of anchoring ability, he doesn’t have the strength to consistently hold up against powerful edge rushers. Likewise, creating power in the run game is tough because he often is unable to sustain his block, instead allowing the defender to disengage. Athleticism is also an issue. Though it is decent enough for him to work within his limited space, speed rushers pose a threat around the edge, and this leads him to overcompensate, and fall victim to the inside move. As well, he doesn’t have the ability to redirect smoothly when blocking in space. From a technical standpoint, in addition to the oversets, there are also instances of lunging, which he will need to cut out from his game.
Summary:
The traits are underwhelming for McClendon. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have ideal athleticism for the position, and his strength is often outmatched by his opponents. To make it at the next level, getting stronger needs to be a priority, and his technique will also need to be corrected. The athleticism isn’t ideal, but it can be worked around, assuming the other corrections are made. If he can get stronger and play with more consistent technique, McClendon is someone who can serve as a solid depth option. His versatility is also a plus.
| Grade: 61.8 | Round Grade: 6th |
20
Ryan Hayes
School: Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 298 lbs
Strengths:
Hayes is a solid run blocker. Though not the strongest guy on the field, he still manages to generate some power and can push guys aside to open up lanes for the ball carrier. He possesses enough speed to block guys head on up the field, and can even stack up a few blocks to create a nice amount of space in the open field. I pass protection, he displays solid hand placement and can pack a pretty strong punch. When it lands, it can have a rather large impact on his opponent. Hayes comes with positional versatility, which can give him a leg up in battles for depth positioning.
Weaknesses:
Arm length is a major issue. They are extremely short, which causes consistent leverage problems. Pass rushers with refined technique can beat him in a variety of ways. As well, he isn’t always able to get his hands on speed rushers in time to really inhibit their pursuit around the edge. It doesn’t help that his lateral mobility in his pass sets is average at best. His pass sets are pretty narrow most of the time, and it gives speed rushers an easier path to the QB. Hayes plays with decent power, but more so in the run game. In pass protection, he can still get pushed back a decent bit, and his showing in the Senior Bowl did not do anything to relieve these concerns.
Summary:
Hayes brings some value in the run game, and at times, has shown he can hold his own as a pass blocker. To maximize his pass blocking ability, he will definitely need to get stronger. That said, his overall ceiling is quite low due to bad arm length and lateral movement in his pass sets. Hayes does bring positional versatility, and he may actually perform a lot better if moved inside to G. He projects as a depth guy at the next level, but with some development, could be a solid backup along the interior, with the ability to kick outside in a pinch.
| Grade: 60.0 | Round Grade: 6th |
21
John Ojukwu
School: Boise State
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 309 lbs
Strengths:
Ojukwu is a big tackle with a large wingspan, making it tough for defenders to beat him when he initiates contact. The angle around the edge is wider because of his wingspan, and ones without a lot of speed are sometimes forced to reroute pretty early in the rep. Ojukwu has solid strength and has shown that he can stifle bull rushes when his technique is good. In the run game he shows good power when blocking closer to home. He has the ability to open up lanes, and his length makes it tough for defenders to disengage and put themselves in position to make a play on the ball carrier.
Weaknesses:
Athletically, there is a decent amount of stiffness that shows up. His lateral mobility isn’t great, and his footwork in his pass set can get quite choppy. Ojukwu can be troubled by speed rushers with enough speed and bend to take just a slightly wider path early on without losing time before turning the corner. His pad level is consistently high, and edge rushers are able to get underneath him. Though he has a good amount of strength, it gets negated too often due to bad technique, and he ends up getting walked back towards the QB. Okukwu also gets beat inside more than I would have liked. Swim moves and side swipes gave him some trouble, and the recovery athleticism just isn’t there. In the run game, he is better off close to home. His speed is halfway decent enough to get forward into space, but he doesn’t have the agility to adjust his angels to account for moving bodies.
Summary:
Ojukwu brings value thanks to his large frame and good strength. At this best, he is capable of neutralizing power and creating push in the run game. However, he is limited athletically, which puts a cap on his upside and on his scheme versatility. Ojukwu needs to clean up his technique, as he often loses the leverage battle and has his strength negated. His athletic issues will cause issues against speed, but if he can clean up his technique, Ojukwu’s size and strength give him a chance to become a solid backup.
| Grade: 57.8 | Round Grade: 7th |
22
Connor Galvin
School: Baylor
Ht/Wt: 6’7”, 293 lbs
Strengths:
Galvin is a solid athlete, considering the tall frame that he has. He generally does well to get into his pass set with fluidity, and he has some mirroring ability. In the run game, I wouldn’t say his speed is dynamic (for an o-lineman, that is) when blocking on the move. However, he gets out there with enough speed to make an impact. He plays with high effort and you can see his desire to get rough with it. Galvin does well to keep his head on a swivel most of the time. When he is not engaged with an opponent, he is looking for work throughout the play.
Weaknesses:
Galvin doesn’t bring a lot, at this moment, when it comes to strength or power. He gets pushed back a lot, sometimes due to a high pad level, but other times because he simply got out-muscled. His kand timing can be very bad at times. On such plays, by the time he gets his hands on his opponent, he is already being swept aside, and the rusher is getting through on the inside. I don’t like how little Galvin looks to initiate the contact. He lets his opponent come to him, and sloppy technique gets him in trouble often. In terms of ability, Galvin has more potential blocking on the move than close to him, as he lacks the strength to create a lot of push. While he has enough athleticism to block in space, poor angles have limited his effectiveness.
Summary:
For a guy with his height, Galvin is actually a lot smoother than you often see. He will definitely fit best in a zone scheme. But even in the right scheme, he comes with his limitations. Strength and power are lacking, and he will need to get stronger to better handle bull rushers. Galvin’s technique will need some work. I would also like to see a little less passiveness as a pass blocker, and better angels as a run blocker in space. I suppose his absolute ceiling is that of a starter, but he is a project, and not a quick fix. A depth player seems most likely, if he is able to crack a roster.
| Grade: 55.0 | Round Grade: 7th |
Full Rankings:
- Paris Johnson (86.4, Rd 1)
- Broderick Jones (85.8, Rd 1)
- Dawand Jones (85.7, Rd 1)
- Anton Harrison (85.4, Rd 1)
- Darnell Wright (84.9, Rd 2)
- Matthew Bergeron (83.7, Rd 2)
- Cody Mauch (82.9, Rd 2)
- Blake Freeland (80.6, Rd 2)
- Peter Skoronski (79.4, Rd 3)
- Jaelyn Duncan (73.7, Rd 4)
- Earl Bostick (73.4, Rd 4)
- Wanya Morris (70.1, Rd 4)
- Carter Warren (70.0, Rd 4)
- Tyler Steen (69.9, Rd 5)
- Asim Richards (66.8, Rd 5)
- Braeden Daniels (66.6, Rd 5)
- Colby Sorsdal (65.6, Rd 5)
- Dalton Wagner (64.9, Rd 6)
- Warren McClendon (61.8, Rd 6)
- Ryan Hayes (60.0, Rd 6)
- John Ojukwu (57.8, Rd 7)
- Connor Galvin (55.0, Rd 7)
Notables Not Graded:
- Jake Witt
- Richard Gouraige
- Mark Evans
- Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
Modified Homescreen Image Via: Maize & Blue Nation (CC)