2024 NFL Draft: OT Rankings:
1
Joe Alt
School: Notre Dame
Ht/Wt: 6’9”, 321 lbs
Strengths:
Alt is a great athlete for the tackle position, and his TE background is evident when watching him play. His kickslide is one of the better ones I’ve seen, combining speed, agility, and balance. This, along with his great length, makes it very tough for rushers to win with speed around the edge. Even when they get an early jump, he is usually able to recover without much of a problem. Alt is a very smart player, showing the ability to recognize when tricks are being thrown his way. He does well to pick up stunts and blitzes, with his agility factoring in greatly, as well. His athleticism also helps in the run game. Alt moves quickly across the line or upfield, depending on the play call, and is able to get to his spot on time. With a head of steam, it is tough for defenders to deal with him when he is blocking on the move. In addition to his athleticism, Alt’s size further explains why he has so much upside. His length is already tough for defenders to deal with. As he gets stronger in the NFL, he can potentially reach a whole new level.
Weaknesses:
Alt is a tremendous prospect, but as good as he is in some areas, his potential is still largely untapped in others. The first thing that stands out is with his strength. In pass protection, he gets pushed back in some of his reps. Nothing catastrophic usually, but enough for the pocket to shrink. He often is able to recover in these situations, but recovery will be tough in the NFL against better competition. And while his strength certainly does need to improve, it is not the only reason for some of these blips in pass protection. He can also play a bit passively at times, and a more aggressive mindset would prevent some of these occurrences. Improved play strength would also help in the run game. Right now, I like him better as a blocker on the move. Though he is not weak, there are times where the defender has been able to stalemate and then fall off the block to make a tackle. At other times, Alt can lunge when run blocking, which leaves him out of position.
Summary:
Alt has a rare blend of size and athleticism for the tackle position, and you can see it especially put to good use in his kickslide. With athletic tackle prospects, you often lose a little in the strength department. And while that is the case for Alt right now, it shouldn’t be something that follows him around for too long. He has a frame that should easily be able to pack on more muscle, without losing any of the athletic tools that he possesses. Alt should be able to come in and start on day 1 after being drafted. As he continues to get stronger and work out the odd technical kink, he has the potential to become one of the game’s elite players at his position.
| Grade: 92.2 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Taliese Fuaga
School: Oregon State
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 324 lbs
Strengths:
Fuaga is a big, beefy offensive lineman who brings a tough mentality to the football field. He plays with good strength, showing the ability to anchor in pass protection, and really deliver some punishing strikes. As well, he can pave lanes in the run game, and block in a phone booth when required. But for all the strength, he also has the athleticism to go with it. He mirrors pass rushers well, and for the most part, his kickslide is quite smooth. I love how graceful he is when redirecting to pick up stunts. It looks effortless. These tools also make Fuaga an effective blocker on the move, whether pulling across the line or getting to the second level. In both cases, he goes out looking to finish his block and make things as tough as possible on his opponents. Fuaga played RT in college, but has the tools to flip over to the left side, should a team desire. It would just be a matter of picking up the technique. He certainly has the tools to play inside at guard, as well. But given that tackle is a scarce position, moving him inside would only make sense for a team that has two established starters on the outside.
Weaknesses:
For the most part, Fuaga stands out with high end traits. However, I wouldn’t say this about his arm length. While not deficient, it doesn’t seem to be elite either, and opposing players that do have elite length and speed can cause some problems if he is not careful with his technique. And speaking of technique, this is the area where most of his problems occur. His hand timing can be off when pass protecting, and he’ll allow rushers to gain a step around the edge, forcing him to go into desperation mode in an attempt to recover. Further, Fuaga tends to overset at times, or sometimes lunge, which leaves him vulnerable to counters, like the push/pull move. As well, his footwork looks great much of the time, but a little more consistency will be needed. I’d also like to see him limit the lunges as a run blocker. Defenders are sometimes able to use this against him, and get him out of position.
Summary:
Fuaga has a lot of upside, thanks to his combination of strength and athleticism. In fact, because of the power he plays with, Fuaga’s movement skills sometimes get overlooked. But he is someone who is able to thrive in a variety of ways thanks to this physical skill set. The issues with Fuaga revolve around technique. They aren’t necessarily things he is still trying to get down, but rather, being more consistent and cutting out mistakes. Things like hand technique and footwork – getting more consistent will help him a lot. As well, avoiding undisciplined plays, like lunging and oversetting in pass protection, will go a long way. I do think he is a plug and play at the next level. There might be some growing pains, but consistency should come in time, as he continues to develop. Overall, Fuaga has the upside to be an elite player at OT or G, should a team wish to play him inside.
| Grade: 87.3 | Round Grade: 1st |
3
Tyler Guyton
School: Oklahoma
Ht/Wt: 6’8”, 322 lbs
Strengths:
The sky’s the limit when it comes to potential for Guyton. He has one of the best size/athleticism combinations that I have seen for the position. Everything is easy for him as a mover. He can mirror speed rushers around the arc, while keeping his frame squared up to his opponent. His quickness and smooth feet give him the ability to redirect when stunts are thrown his way, or when a late blitz comes in. Guyton can quickly pull across the line to seal up the edge, and blocking upfield in space is certainly no issue for him. Beyond just his athleticism, Guyton has great size and a long enough reach to gain a leverage advantage on his opponents. With his big frame comes natural strength, and he shows the ability to anchor down against power rushers. When run blocking, he has shown that he can not only block on the move, but move people in a phone booth. His traits give him the opportunity to excel in pretty much any scheme.
Weaknesses:
Guyton is still relatively new to the position, having only spent the last couple of seasons at OT, so you do see some mistakes pop up from time to time. His biggest issue seems to be with his hands. At times, he can be late to strike his opponent, and he will already be at a disadvantage in the rep. Hand placement is also an issue, probably one that pops up more than the timing stuff. Guyton seems to get his hands too wide, and he leaves himself exposed, offering up an opportunity for the defender to gain a significant leverage advantage. His inexperience also shows through some other blips like oversetting or late reaction time to stunts. When it comes to physical traits, I like where he is, but I think he can still even add some strength. Though this isn’t really a weakness in his game, but rather an area he can improve in. Speaks to his upside.
Summary:
Guyton is a high end OT prospect with a limitless ceiling thanks to his elite physical traits. He is an effortless mover, which is crazy, given his 6’7” frame. Both laterally and vertically, there are no issues for him. With his size, he brings natural power, and I think that his frame has room to add on even more strength, which could help him take his game to another level. The area where he really needs to improve is his technique. And for someone with such a small amount of experience at the position, mental and technical issues aren’t a surprise. Some tweaks especially to his hand timing and placement would help him out a lot. Despite some blips, I think he is a plug and play guy. He has been consistent enough, and should only get better with time. It will be interesting to see where Guyton plays at the next level. He spent his time at RT in college, but his traits would make him a natural fit for LT. Either way, he should be a good player that can fit in a variety of schemes.
| Grade: 87.2 | Round Grade: 1st |
4
Amarius Mims
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’8”, 340 lbs
Strengths:
Mims stands out on the field with his big frame, long reach, and abundance of strength. You won’t beat him very often with power moves, as he is able to set his feet and just not budge. He is a physical player, which is a good mindset to have as an offensive lineman. Especially in the run game, where he can completely remove guys from the play. In both pass protection and in the run game, Mims blocks well in a phone booth. But he also has enough quickness to hold his own when mirroring the arc. And his long reach helps to negate any slight advantages that a pass rusher might get when trying to win around the arc, on any given play. For a big guy, his ability to react and redirect his positioning to pick up stunts is pretty good. Though his bread and butter as a run blocker is moving guys off of their spot right off of the snap, he is also capable of blocking in space. A lot better than you’d expect from someone of his size.
Weaknesses:
The injury history will be a big talking point for Mims as a draft prospect. He has only started 8 games in his career, and on various occasions, popped in and out of games as he was dealing with injuries. With his lack of playing time, his inexperience also shows at times in regards to his technique. Mims will whiff, at times, when attempting a hand strike, and then get beaten by an inside counter move. Overall, inside counters were not kind to him in college, and it is something to work on as he transitions to the pro game. Mims is a very good athlete for his size, and I’ve seen some go as far as to call it elite. However, I’m very hesitant to go that far. On one hand, you see some of his quickness when blocking against speed, or redirecting to pick up various tricks thrown at him. But he also looks more sluggish at other times. Not that it stands out as being bad, but just not at that super high level. There are times where his kickslide can be a bit choppy. As well, when blocking in space down the field, he can be a bit late getting to his block, on some occasions. Better angles would also help.
Summary:
Mims is a highly regarded prospect thanks to his towering frame, long reach, and good athleticism relative to his size. He is a strong player with the ability to anchor against anyone when protecting the passer, and open up nice lanes when run blocking. His injury history is his biggest concern, along with his lack of playing experience that the injuries resulted in. First of all, the medicals will have to check out as teams do their pre-draft digging. From a gameplay standpoint, his hand technique needs more polish, and he will need to find a way to better handle inside counter moves. There are some things to clean up, but if healthy, he is someone that I could see starting early on at RT, the position he played in college.
| Grade: 85.7 | Round Grade: 1st |
5
Olumuyiwa Fashanu
School: Penn State
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 312 lbs
Strengths:
Fashanu is a prospect who really stands out when it comes to traits. His high end combination of strength and athleticism gives him the potential to become a quality starter at the next level. At his best, he has shown capable of getting out of his stance quickly with a nice kickslide. Fashanu has the athleticism to mirror speed rushers, and his length further makes it tough for players to beat him around the edge. His strength is almost always on full display when pass protecting. Core strength is outstanding, and when he is planted firm in his spot, he is hard to move even an inch. Having the ability to handle speed rushers and anchor against power is something teams will love. Fashanu’s quickness is also evident when stunts are thrown his way. He does well to sense them and redirect intime to avoid disaster. As a run blocker, his pulls are fun to watch. He gets across the line quickly and efficiently to seal things up. He also gets upfield rather quickly, and his strength when combined with a head of steam isn’t a fun combination for defenders to deal with in the open field.
Weaknesses:
While Fashanu has a ton when it comes to physical ability, he is not yet a finished product thanks to deficiencies in his technique. In pass protection, his kickslide isn’t always as smooth as it could be. There are times where his feet seem to drag a bit, opening up an opportunity for speed to make it around the bend. While his strength gives him tremendous anchoring ability, he sometimes negates some of his advantage by elevating his pad level a bit too much. Defenders are able to get under him and create more push than you would like to see. Fashanu has shown the ability to effectively pick up stunts. However, blitzes were a different story, as some were able to almost freely get after the QB. As a run blocker, Fashanu can be quite volatile. With his traits, there are obviously plenty of great reps. However, he often takes bad angles, and will either miss his assignment or end up making poor contact, both of which result in a lost rep. Additionally, when he gets his pad level up too high, defenders are able to prevent him from opening up a running lane, or in other instances, disengage from the block to make a tackle.
Summary:
Fashanu is a prospect that comes with tremendous upside, thanks to his combination of high end strength and athleticism. At his best, he is anchoring against power, mirroring speed rushers, and making blocks in the open field to open up lanes for the ball carrier. However, despite these traits, poor technique has caused his effectiveness to take a hit. His footwork, hand technique, and pad level will all need to improve at the next level, where he won’t have as easy of a time getting away with just physical talent. As well, better angles will be necessary for more success as a run blocker. Though not perfect in either category, I’d say at this point he is much better in pass protection than as a run blocker. His traits give him a chance to start as a rookie, but he will likely experience some growing pains if he does. In the long run, Fashanu can be an elite player at his position if he fixes the issues.
| Grade: 85.2 | Round Grade: 1st |
6
Troy Fautanu
School: Washington
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 317 lbs
Strengths:
Fautanu has enough quickness to play on the outside as a tackle, and is able to stick with rushers who like to win with speed. He has demonstrated the ability to smoothly redirect when stunts are thrown his way. His experience also factors into his play, especially when picking up blitzes. Fautanu is a hard nosed player, and his aggressiveness stands out on a snap to snap basis. He doesn’t just look to make his block, he looks to go way beyond. It almost seems like he’s not satisfied unless he delivers a big blow or knocks his opponent to the ground. This mentality has its benefits in pass protection, as he can knock rushers off their path, beyond the ability to recover. It also helps him to combat power. In the run game, it helps him move people, and makes him more successful blocking in a phone booth, when he needs to. That said, his quickness still makes him a useful player when blocking in space, and his tough mentality is only compounded when you allow him to pick up steam. Fautanu enters the NFL with some versatility. He was primarily a tackle in college, but can play guard as well. Different people will have different preferences over which one should be his primary position, but regardless of which side they may be on, the versatility is something everyone will like.
Weaknesses:
Aggressiveness is a big part of his success, but it can also be his downfall at times. Fautanu needs to be more careful to not let his aggressiveness turn into recklessness. Because at times, he can be reckless, which opens the door wide open for his opponent to beat him. Oversets allow rushers to counter inside when they have him out of position. His arm length is also on the short side, which hurts him in a lot of situations, and even more so when he puts himself out of position. Fautanu needs to be more disciplined with his hand placement and timing. His strikes can sometimes be late, and he will sometimes slip off of his opponent without being able to sustain his block. Again, his lack of length enhances this issue. Fautanu can also abandon his footwork at times, especially when he begins to enter recovery mode. Playing with more control will be necessary at the next level. When it comes to his strength, he is fine in this area, but not elite. Power rushers can beat him from time to time. Power is visible in his game, thanks largely to his aggressiveness, but power doesn’t always equal strength. He also has to be careful not to let defenders gain a leverage advantage under his pads and push him back. Many of these same issues exist in the run game. Technique and sustaining blocks are things that will have to improve.
Summary:
Fautanu certainly has things that he needs to clean up, but as a whole, there is more good than bad. He is a good athlete and should bring some scheme versatility thanks also to the power that he is able to generate. His glass eater style will resonate with coaches, and he has enough strength to combine with his other traits to make for a good starter. I like his floor, even if his ceiling might be a bit limited. Length is a bit of an issue and will cause some people to have him as a guard rather than a tackle. I have him on the outside, due to the increased value of the position. If the experiment fails, you kick him inside. But some teams may have him on the inside right away. In any event, Fautanu does project as a solid starter, who can offer positional versatility. He should hear his name called on day 1 or 2.
| Grade: 85.1 | Round Grade: 1st |
7
JC Latham
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 342 lbs
Strengths:
Latham brings size, reach, and a rugged mentality to the table whenever he takes the field. He stands out in the run game when he is putting people on the ground, or moving them well off of their spot. He not only uses his strength to his advantage, but he also knows how to win the leverage battle. I don’t often see him getting his pad level too high, and he usually does a good job of staying squared up. Latham is able to take advantage of his long reach when protecting the edge. His kick slide is smooth enough that, even though he is not the quickest player, he remains in good enough position to let his reach help him out of trouble. Latham anchors nicely, rarely getting beat with power. His hand strikes are powerful and can give him an edge early in reps. Latham also shows good awareness when protecting against stunts. He remains calm in these situations, not letting his footwork of technique get out of control. This limits any leaks that get through.
Weaknesses:
I wouldn’t call Latham a poor athlete for the position, but he doesn’t bring any high end qualities in this area either. I mean, laterally, he is a decent mover, and he has enough short area quickness to redirect to pick up stunts. However, pulling across the line can be a bit more challenging. Same can be said about his blocking in space. I’d say, overall, that he is capable in these areas, but they aren’t playing to his strengths. I like him much better blocking in a phone booth. In pass protection, he does well to use his size and reach to limit speed rushers. But tougher matchups in the NFL might give him some additional problems here. His biggest issue on tape was how he handled inside counters. More leaks got through via this method than I would have liked to see. Latham also has a tendency to lunge at times, moreso in the run game, which leaves him out of position.
Summary:
Latham’s size, reach, and tough playing style will appeal to teams that run power schemes and are looking for “glass eaters.” He is capable on the move, but blocking in space is not his strong suit. At best, he looks like an average athlete for the position, so he doesn’t necessarily have that high end upside in every scheme. But while he may have some limitations, the things he does bring to the table should still allow him to be a quality starter at RT. Should a team choose to kick him inside to G, I think he could potentially even reach another level. With the scarcity of quality play at OT, I wouldn’t be looking to move him, but for a team that may have the luxury of having two established starters, Latham could be an elite player on the inside. Either way, he is someone who should be a good starter early in his career.
| Grade: 85.0 | Grade: 1st |
8
Graham Barton
School: Duke
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 313 lbs
Strengths:
Barton might be the exact definition of a glass eater. He plays with a purpose on every single snap, looking to completely annihilate his opponent. Mauler is another good word to describe him. And it is not just the attitude that is in his game. He also has the strength to back it up, and he ends up looking like a bulldozer on several plays. Needless to say, he is a big asset in the run game with these qualities. But his ability goes beyond just power. Barton is also very athletic and moves well. He can block down the field – and you can imagine how much power he generates behind a head of steam. Barton also has enough quickness to pull across the line. It’s not elite or anything, as a little stiffness does show, but he can get the job done. His strength also shows often in the passing game. Barton anchors well, and he really makes it tough for an opponent who is trying to disengage. He also has enough movement ability to mirror rushers around the edge and, when he needs to, redirect his positioning. There are blips in this area every once in a while, but overall, I thought he was alright.
Weaknesses:
Barton has a lot to love, but with that being said, there are also a few glaring issues in his game. The first one is arm length. It is on the short side, and unfortunately, this is not a fixable issue. Defenders are able to use this against him to gain a leverage advantage in some instances. It makes his timing a lot more critical, because he doesn’t have that extra reach to help him recover when out of position. Another weakness to his game is his balance. For all the strength he has, there were too many times where he got knocked back by a strike that should not have done nearly as much damage as it did. And when he gets off balance like that, his opponent can then pile on the hand strikes and push him quite a ways backwards. There are also instances where Barton will overset, protecting against speed around the edge, and lose pretty badly when countered with an inside move. His hand placement will need a lot of improvement, as he transitions to the next level. Improving his balance can, in turn, help improve his hand technique.
Summary:
Overall, there is a lot to like with Barton. The mean streak and power he plays with on a consistent basis will win over several OL coaches and other evaluators. Pair it up with his athleticism, and you have traits that are those of a starting offensive lineman. However, questions will pop up about his position. He mainly played OT in college, but his length issue will have some people viewing him as a G, or C, where he actually played a little bit early on in his college days. I think he can make it at tackle, and that is what I am evaluating him as. However, I do believe his ceiling would be higher on the inside. But regardless of where he plays, Barton will need to iron out the technical kinks, and also work on playing with more balance. He is someone that may be a day 1 starter, but growing pains are probable. But as he grows into the role, he should become a quality starter.
| Grade: 81.5 | Round Grade: 2nd |
9
Kiran Amegadije
School: Yale
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 323 lbs
Strengths:
Amegadije is full of high-end traits that make his ceiling at the next level sky high. His frame is massive, and he just engulfs a lot of the rushers that attempt to get through him with power. He has very long arms, which makes it difficult for his opponent to gain much leverage. The strength and power that he possesses matches up nicely with his mean demeanor. There are plays where he is creating a lot of push. In some instances, he was able to move his opponent several yards off his spot. This has been huge for him as a run blocker. Good athleticism also shows up on tape. He has impressive mirroring ability for a bigger guy. As well, Amegadije is capable of blocking out in space, or pulling across the line, if needed.
Weaknesses:
There is some risk/reward when it comes to Amegadije. While the traits are great, he is still unrefined and in need of development. His hand technique stood out to me in a bad way. His placement and timing can be way off at times. What happened in some cases was that his opponent was able to use hand fighting techniques to further disrupt him after the initial punch didn’t land well and wasn’t effective. In terms of his on-field results, these kinds of technical mistakes didn’t always impact him too harshly in this way because he is playing at a smaller program and against much lower competition. There were times where his technique even led to him almost losing around the edge. Sometimes they were able to get off the block, which would almost force him to hold. I would say that, for the most part, he didn’t go far enough to be worthy of a penalty, but he was walking the line in some instances. Factoring inr the much lower competition, you have to imagine that the NFL will be a significant transition.
Summary:
Amegadije is a prospect that will bring a lot of upside to the team that drafts him. There is a nice blend of size, strength, power, and athleticism, giving him the profile of an eventual starter in the NFL. However, he will first have to adjust to the NFL level. And coming from a lower tired program, the jump will certainly be a challenge. Amegadije will need to significantly improve his hand technique, and his footwork could be a bit smoother as well, given his rising status in the draft.
| Grade: 81.4 | Round Grade: 2nd |
10
Patrick Paul
School: Houston
Ht/Wt: 6’8”, 331 lbs
Strengths:
With a massive frame and high end strength, Paul is a prospect who comes with some considerable upside. His anchor ability is evident on a regular basis, as he just absorbs contact right up, and can make it difficult for rushers to gain any ground at all when using power. His length is an asset when defending the edge, as he can force his opponent to widen the arc, which lengthens the time it would take for him to get to the QB. Though I wouldn’t say Paul is an elite athlete, I think his athleticism is good. Definitely good for his size. He can handle himself well when blocking in space, both vertically and horizontally. The ability is there to mirror speed rushers, and he has flashed this ability at times. As a run blocker, he has shown that he can use his strength to be a finisher, often having his opponent end up on the ground. His natural strength and length make for a good comb.
Weaknesses:
At this time, Paul is mostly upside, with a lot of work still to be done. He has good natural traits, and has flashed often due to these traits. However, poor technique has caused the valleys to appear just as often as the peaks. Without improvement, he will have quite a few struggles at the NFL level. We’ll start with his footwork, which is extremely inconsistent. His kickslide looks smooth and natural on some plays. However, far too often, he just abandons his technique completely, reverting to sort of a shuffle. Needless to say, this kind of technique will be problematic if he keeps it up. His hand technique is equally bad. Between wide placement and bad timing, he is allowing his opponent a lot of opportunity to gain leverage. His consistently high pad level only worsens this issue. In the run game, Paul likewise shows flashes, but needs to eliminate the inconsistencies. At times, he’ll lunge and then whiff on his block. Or, he won’t get much into his block, and his opponent will disengage too easily.
Summary:
Paul has a good build, good strength, length, and height, as well as good enough athleticism to become a quality starter in the NFL. He has shown the ability to play with a lot of power and be a force at LT. However, there are currently too many inconsistencies with his technique for me to see him as a likely plug and play guy. Footwork needs to be cleaned up significantly, and his hand technique also needs quite a bit of work. Further, Paul will need to work on keeping his pad level lower. His OL coach in the NFL will have his hands full, but the upside Paul brings to the table will undoubtedly have plenty of teams interested, despite the issues. With his natural tools, he can be a high end starter if his development progresses nicely, and he improves the technical aspects of his game.
| Grade: 81.3 | Round Grade: 2nd |
11
Jordan Morgan
School: Arizona
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 311 lbs
Strengths:
Morgan stands out pretty quickly with his athleticism. He explodes out of his stance and is able to get a jump on his opponent. I really love what he is able to do as a run blocker when he is asked to block on the move. On screen passes as well. He gets out there so quickly and is able to stack up blocks, opening up a nice lane for the ball carrier. Another thing that stands out in his game is his ability to redirect in pass protection. Things are thrown at him quickly from different directions, and he has the physical ability to adjust on the fly. Morgan has the quickness also to defend the edge against speed, and the strength to keep power rushers from creating a disruption. His strength gives him the capability of blocking in a phone booth. Morgan is entering the draft as an OT, but is someone who could also kick inside at the next level. The skill set is there for him to succeed at guard. Morgan suffered a torn ACL late in 2022, and came back for the 2023 season and had his best one.
Weaknesses:
Athleticism and strength are pillars to his game, and will have him high on draft boards. However, Morgan is not a finished product, and still has a ways to go when it comes to his technique. Oversets in pass protection happen frequently. Spin moves and other inside counters pose a big threat to him, and relying on his physical traits to recover isn’t always a strategy that works out. Morgan has the athleticism to smoothly defend the edge against speed, but his feet can sometimes look heavy and he abandons his footwork. More consistency is needed in his kickslide. Length will be an issue for Morgan at the next level, and some defenders will be able to use this against him. In his college tape, there were instances where his opponent was able to strike his chest and get a few pops in to push him back. Poor hand placement from Morgan further made this an issue, as did a high pad level at times.Technique in the run game will also have to be cleaned up. He can lunge from time to time, and when he plays at a high pad level, defenders are able to disengage too easily, or prevent him from locking into the block in the first place.
Summary:
Overall, Morgan is a good prospect with the potential to be a good player at either tackle or guard. His athleticism, to me, is his best feature, and I especially love when he is blocking in space. Strength is good, but his poor reach and technique issues will still cause him to get pushed back at times. The length will always cause some issues, but fixing his technique should help a lot with consistency. Early on, it is probably best that he doesn’t start, as it would give him time to get these issues ironed out. Though maybe a switch to guard could help him see the field earlier, with a move outside coming later on if he is able to polish up. Some teams will have him as a guard anyways because of his arm length, but in the long run, I think he has the tools to stay in the outside.
| Grade: 80.6 | Round Grade: 2nd |
12
Blake Fisher
School: Notre Dame
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 310 lbs
Strengths:
Fisher has shown good enough baseline traits to succeed at the tackle position, and his versatility to play on the left or right side will earn him some points from evaluators. Fisher blocks well in the run game, generating a decent amount of power at the point of attack. He is able to create enough push for his RB to find the open lane. Solid is how I would describe his athleticism. I think his straight line speed is more of an asset, as he is able to get down the field pretty quickly and stack blocks. Fisher has good length, and this has shown to be an asset when matched up against speedy edge rushers. His hand placement in pass protection is generally pretty good, and he is able to get some power into his strikes. Enough to stunt his opponent.
Weaknesses:
Fisher has a tendency to play unbalanced, and he gets his pad level raised pretty high on a consistent basis. Defenders have been able to land strikes that knock him off balance pretty quickly due to his poor positioning. He can also be slow off of the snap, which gives his opponent an advantage a lot of the time. I think Fisher is a decent athlete, but doesn’t always seem to be able to get enough depth in his pass sets to not have trouble against speed. Some oversets have occurred as a result, which allowed his opponent to win inside with a counter. There were also instances as a run blocker, specifically when pulling across the line, where he was a bit late and missed his target. This again speaks to a few challenges he may have athletically, at the next level.
Summary:
Fisher is a solid prospect with enough potential to have a shot at starting. He shows enough power to create push in both phases, and he can also hold his own when blocking on the move. That is not to say he is perfect athletically, because he is not. There are challenges from time to time, but he is able to function beyond basic stuff. He will need to work on being quicker off the snap in order to not give his opponent a free advantage. I’d also like to see him improve his technique, where the pad level stays down and he plays with more balance and leverage. His ability to play LT or RT will help his draft stock. Overall, I see him as a developmental guy with the potential to be a solid-above average starter if he can put the pieces together. Fisher is not without flaws, but there is enough there to work with.
| Grade: 78.5 | Round Grade: 3rd |
13
Roger Rosengarten
School: Washington
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 305 lbs
Strengths:
Rosengarten has a big frame and long enough reach, but his athleticism is by far what stands out the most. He is pretty quick out of his stance, and he gets a good amount of depth in his pass sets. Mirroring even speedy rushers around the edge is something that he is capable of handling. Rosengarten is also able to function nicely as a move blocker in the run game. He has the lateral agility to cut across the line to seal up the backside, and the speed to stack blocks up the field. With his combination of size and athleticism, he should enter the league with a high ceiling.
Weaknesses:
Rosengarten has a large frame, but currently lacks the mass to consistently handle power at the NFL level. In college, there were times where he was overwhelmed by bull rushes, and he was unable to sustain his anchor. His hand technique is also in need of significant improvement. His placement could be awful at times, and opponents were able to swipe him out of the way and get a run in at the QB. Rosengarten sometimes has a hard time battling through hand fighting, and ends up getting beat.
Summary:
Rosengarten is a developmental project with significant upside at the NFL level. He is a good athlete and has the size to win matchups. However, he is lacking strength to operate at that level, and will need to add mass to his frame before he is ready to see time on the field. As well, Rosengarten will need to improve his hand technique and play at a lower pad level. I don’t see him as a plug and play guy, but the good news is that his issues are fixable. If he can get them fixed, the potential is there for him to be a quality starting RT.
| Grade: 74.9 | Round Grade: 4th |
14
Kingsley Suamataia
School: BYU
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 326 lbs
Strengths:
Suamataia is a pretty solid athlete with the ability to carry out all of the tasks required of an OT in the NFL. Mirroring quickness is there, as is the quickness to redirect to inside moves and stunts. He flashes power in his game, and can really be a disruptive force when he lands his punch. His length is an asset, and allows him to force rushers further outside, widening the arc. Generally, Suamataia is a good blocker on the move. He has the ability to reach his targets on time, and when he picks up steam, he can take his opponent out of the play. Suamataia is someone who seems to be helping his stock this offseason, especially with some impressive showings in the combine drills. His versatility is also something coaches will like. He started out at RT, before switching to the left side this past season.
Weaknesses:
Suamataia has upside, but is still a developmental project, as his technique presents several glaring issues. His pad level is consistently too high, and he allows his opponent to gain leverage. Despite having a long reach and good power in his game, this often gets negated when defenders can get under his pads and strike right in the middle of his chest. When protecting the edge, there are times where he gets carried away and allows his opponent an easy path back inside with a counter move. And while I like his athleticism, I would stop short of calling it elite, and I don’t think he is someone who will always be able to recover when he takes losses early in the rep. Sloppy footwork is also partly to blame. Overall smoother play would give him a better chance at recovery. Hand placement and timing will need to improve which, like the pad level issue, would help him play with more leverage. When stunts and blitzes are thrown his way, Suamataia has the physical ability to combat them, but he sometimes sees them late, and loses the rep. As a run blocker, technical issues sometimes prevent him from sustaining blocks. Complete whiffs also occur from time to time.
Summary:
Suamataia has good length, along with enough athleticism and power in his game to be a starting OT in the NFL. The potential is visible through his traits, however, a lot of development will be needed before he can start. Suamataia will need to be a lot more consistent with his technique, in part by keeping his pad level down, improving the timing and accuracy of his hand strikes, and avoiding sloppy footwork. He has the ceiling of a starter in this league, but it will take some coaching to get it out of him.
| Grade: 74.8 | Round Grade: 4th |
15
Christian Jones
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 305 lbs
Strengths:
Jones is a prospect that brings outstanding play strength to the table. In all of my exposures, he was able to anchor down against power with consistency, only the odd time allowing his opponent to disengage. And even then, it was pretty late into the rep. In his pass sets, he likes to utilize hand strikes to his advantage. These attempts are often successful, as he is able to generate quite a bit of power in these strikes. He also has tremendous length, which will help him when defending against speed around the arc. His arm length makes it so that defenders have to go a bit wider to turn the corner, and then he can still reach in to push them all the way around, rather than allowing them to turn the corner and get to the QB. Jones blocks very well in a phone booth. Not only as a pass blocker when trying to anchor, but also as a run blocker. He creates a nice amount of push, and can seal up edges with ease. Though he is primarily a RT, he has some experience at LT. Some versatility is always a good thing.
Weaknesses:
Play strength stands out when watching Jones on tape. However, he unfortunately does not have the athleticism to match it. He actually did a pretty good job of using his strengths to mitigate his athletic issues, but the jump up in competition at the NFL level will make this much harder to accomplish. Edge rushers with speed and bend should be able to give him some trouble, even with his arm length as a mitigating factor. As well, if he ends up having to overcompensate for speed around the edge, he will be vulnerable to inside moves. From a technical standpoint, I thought he was pretty solid. However, his hand placement was a little wide at times. Keeping his hands centred will help him in leverage battles. As a run blocker, Jones is much better in a phone booth than on the move. When he lands his blocks, he is able to get a lot of force into them and take his opponent out of the play. However, he does not have the agility to consistently hit moving targets. He likely will be limited schematically at the next level.
Summary:
Jones is someone who could potentially become a starter at the next level. He has the strength and power that you look for in the position, as well as ideal length to win leverage battles. However, he is a limited athlete, which will present challenges at the next level. Speedier and bendier rushers will give him a hard time, and blocking on the move isn’t something I’d want to rely on him to do too often. His success in the league could depend on scheme fit. He’ll certainly fare much better in a power scheme. There will still be limitations, but they will be a bit easier to mitigate. If he is not starting, Jones should be a quality depth piece in a league that is starving for talent at OT.
| Grade: 74.3 | Round Grade: 4th |
16
Delmar Glaze
School: Maryland
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 315 lbs
Strengths:
Glaze is a technically savvy offensive lineman who quietly is able to do his job reliably. He makes sure to stay square to his opponent and not get beat due to sloppy errors. He has good enough baseline strength to handle himself against power. I wouldn’t say he is super physically imposing, but he will not be overpowered either. He plays at a good pad level and understands how to play the leverage game. Glaze generally blocks well in a phone booth. As a run blocker, he has shown to be capable of generating some push.
Weaknesses:
Athleticism isn’t doesn’t jump off the page and, at times, can hurt his game. His quickness and lateral agility are a bit below par, so rushers attacking with speed around the edge aren’t the most favourable matchup for him. As well, he lacks ideal redirection quickness to pickup stunts and late blitzes. As a run blocker, I don’t see him contributing much on the move, outside of basic stuff just past the line of scrimmage. The speed to hit moving targets isn’t there, and his lateral movement skills, or lack thereof, do not support this style at all.
Summary:
Glaze isn’t the most physically gifted player. In fact, he will be a bit limited in the NFL. His strength is good, no more, no less, while his athleticism falls a bit below the mark. That being said, it is hard to hate his film. Glaze plays with good technique, and just quietly gets the job done, even without the most desirable measurables. I don’t see him as a high ceiling player in the NFL, but it would not surprise me to see him end up as a solid starter for a long time, or at least a reliable backup that is in the league for quite a while.
| Grade: 70.5 | Round Grade: 4th |
17
Matt Goncalves
School: Pitt
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 327 lbs
Strengths:
Goncalves has a well built frame and plays the game with good enough power to handle himself in a phone booth, or be a “mover.” He anchors well, with his strength being the biggest thing that allows him to do so. Every little bit, you’ll see a bit of a mean streak from him. Especially as a run blocker, the way he drove his opponent forward on some reps was very impressive. Goncalves isn’t the twitchiest athlete, but he plays with a lot of effort and was often able to block down the field. His best reps didn’t require much lateral movement, but given his strengths and weaknesses, he is better than expected in this area. Goncalves brings some versatility to the table, having experience at both tackle spots.
Weaknesses:
Goncalves doesn’t play with a ton of twitch. He isn’t a lumbering athlete, but is lacking that certain smoothness that a lot of the top players have. As a result, he can have some trouble protecting the rush edge from speed rushers. His struggles to stop quick penetrators from hitting the inside gap might be an even bigger concern. DE’s that have good burst off the line seem to give him the most trouble, as he is very much someone who likes to be the engager, but isn’t always able to get it started. Goncalves is also lacking high end length, which makes recovery tricky when he is beaten. Ideally, he’d be able to push his opponent all the way around the arc when he is beaten. But even this can be tough for him, without having an elite reach. Looking at his technique, hand placement was an area of inconsistency. As well, there were times he abandoned his footwork when he thought he might be losing the edge.
Summary:
Goncalves is an interesting player who may end up falling to the mid rounds due to a lack of certain measurables, which will put a cap on his upside. His lack of quickness opens up opportunities for rushers to win with speed around the edge, and his lack of length not only prevents him from recovering most of the time, but it also makes winning leverage battles tough for him in general. All that being said, he possesses the size and strength that you look for in the position, and has shown glimpses of a nasty mean streak. His highlights as a run blocker showed him pushing his opponent back several steps, and doing so with a lot of momentum. Given where he falls short, he likely won’t ever be a high end starter. However, he does enough well to be a good backup in this league, with the potential to develop into a mid-range starter if he can improve his technique.
| Grade: 68.0 | Round Grade: 5th |
18
Caedan Wallace
School: Penn State
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 314 lbs
Strengths:
Wallace has a decent enough combination of athleticism and strength to be a worthwhile flyer with some upside to be a good depth piece. His strength is probably the best part of his game. Not overly dominant, but he is able to anchor, and overall, can get the job done against power. I like his straight line speed. It shows in the run game when he is asked to block in space. He’s got a bit of a jump in his step, and he can take LB’s and members of the secondary out of the play when he is able to land his block.
Weaknesses:
Wallace has some things to like in his game, but also some limitations. His athleticism is a tricky thing to evaluate. I like his straight line speed, but he is clunky when moving laterally. His kickslide is slow, and I think he will have trouble against speed at the next level. Further, his footwork is sloppy, and he sometimes looks like a QB dropping back to pass, crossing his feet as he attempts to mirror a rusher around the edge. From a technical standpoint, playing at a lower pad level and with better balance is something he’ll also need to focus on.
Summary:
Wallace has good enough baseline strength to make it at the position. And while his arm length is nothing to write home about, I don’t think it will hold him back. His speed will be an asset as a run blocker, but he seems to lack the quickness to consistently protect the edge from speed rushers. If he can clean up his footwork and other areas of his technique, Wallace has the chance to make it as a depth player at both OT and G.
| Grade: 67.3 | Round Grade: 5th |
19
Tylan Grable
School: UCF
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 306 lbs
Strengths:
Grable is someone who brings terrific athleticism to the offensive line, and can be a ball of clay for an offensive line coach to develop. He glides into his pass set, with the ability to smoothly make his way around the arc. He is effectively able to mirror his opponent, redirecting to stifle inside moves, or pushing his opponent out the back door, before he gets a chance to turn the corner. His length also helps by making the angle a bit wider for the pass rusher. Grable moves well in the run game, showing the ability to get to the second level and attack moving targets.
Weaknesses:
Grable is an athletic player, but currently only has baseline strength for the position. He can stalemate, and maybe create a little push on some plays, but you won’t see him consistantly moving people. Against tougher competition in the NFL, stalemates are likely to turn into more frequent losses, if he doesn’t correct the issue. The good news is that his frame is on the lean side and should be able to handle added bulk, without having it cut into his movement skills. Grable’s technique will also need work. Hand technique especially. His placement is often wide and he allows his opponent to strike his chest. Grable also plays at a high pad level, which worsens this issue. As a run blocker, adding strength should help him create more movement. I’d also like to see him be more consistent with his angles, which would hopefully reduce lunges and whiffs.
Summary:
Grable has upside to be a starter or good depth player, thanks largely to his higher end athleticism. There is still a ways to go for him to get there, but his issues are correctable, so in theory, the sky is the limit. Grable will need to get stronger in order to become more of a force, and someone who can dominate reps more often, rather than working to just not let his opponent advance forward. Technique will need to improve too. With developmental players, it is never a guarantee they reach their peak, but there is a lot to like here as a ball of clay at a valuable position. Boom/bust prospect.
| Grade: 65.4 | Round Grade: 5th |
20
Javon Foster
School: Missouri
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 313 lbs
Strengths:
Foster has good size and length, showing glimpses where he overpowers his opponent as both a pass protector and run blocker. His athleticism isn’t elite by any means, but it is functional. He can mirror along the arc, and make redirections to pickup blitzes or stunts. While his redirection ability is fine, his instincts are what really stand out in these instances. He is so quick to diagnose these things, and his demeanor remains cool and calm as he is dealing with the threat. Foster’s length allows him to have some recovery ability when he is beaten. That’s not to say he’ll neutralize the threat every time, but the capability is there.
Weaknesses:
Foster is a decent enough athlete, but not elite. Problems could arise in certain matchups, and he will have to overcome them. The biggest issue in his game is his technique. His hand placement and timing can be all off on some plays. As well, when he faces an opponent that is an aggressive handfighter, he struggles to gain an advantage in the leverage battle, and often ends up off balance. His pad level also rises up in some instances, which further exacerbates the issue.Foster’s footwork is also sloppy much of the time. He goes through the motions with a certain choppiness, and smoother pass rushers can take advantage and get around the edge. And if that doesn’t work, inside counters have also worked on him. As a run blocker, Foster needs to do a better job of staying square. He lunges in head first too often, and either whiffs or gets little into the block.
Summary:
Foster doesn’t have elite athleticism, but he is still able to move at a functional level. Factoring in his good strength, long arms, and great spatial awareness on the field, he is someone that comes with starting potential. However, Foster has a long way to go before he might be at that point. His technique, at this stage, leaves a lot to be desired. Hand technique, footwork, pad level etc. All of it needs work, and he enters the NFL as a developmental project, albeit a worthwhile one in the mid-late rounds.
| Grade: 64.7 | Round Grade: 6th |
21
Frank Crum
School: Wyoming
Ht/Wt: 6’8”, 313 lbs
Strengths:
Crum is a tall player, but an extremely smooth mover. His combination of size and athleticism indicates an intriguing ceiling. Crum has his best moments as a run blocker, where he is able to get into space and stack blocks as he gets further up the field. The lateral agility is there also to pull across the line and seal up the edge. Crum gets good depth in his pass sets, which makes it tougher for speed rushers to get quick wins. He generally mirrors around the edge well, and has the agility to adjust to inside counters. Crum brings some versatility to the table, having played both LT and RT.
Weaknesses:
Crum is big, but is still lacking the mass and strength to consistently hold up against NFL competition. His play as a whole is very up and down because of this. Power rushers can still knock him off balance and push him back towards the QB. Poor technique and use of leverage also doesn’t help him. He can be sloppy with his hands, and defenders are able to slip off his block and continue in their pursuit. This shows up in protection and the run game, but it is more prominent in his pass protection, and will have to be fixed.
Summary:
Crum’s size and movement skills point to a high ceiling, and will likely earn him a selection on draft day. However, there are still several holes in his game that must be patched up before he can be relied upon in meaningful game action. Crum will need to get stronger and also improve his technique. At this stage, he is a better run blocker than pass protector, and his successes in both phases are largely due to his athleticism. He isn’t ready yet, but can be a starter in the NFL if he can figure the other stuff out. Developmental project with upside.
| Grade: 64.4 | Round Grade: 6th |
22
LaDarius Henderson
School: Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 309 lbs
Strengths:
Henderson has solid traits to build around. Not elite, but he moves around pretty well. Henderson has shown he can be quick enough in his kickslide to protect around the edge. And he has also flashed enough power to anchor and create push in the run game. His length is an advantage for him, and it gives him a little bit more room when he is up against speedier pass rushers. It gives him a better chance to recover when beaten, and push them out the back door before they can turn the corner. Being the LT for a National Championship winning team, he has shown some ability to play on the big stage.
Weaknesses:
Henderson has enough physical traits to build around, but better technique and more consistency will be needed. He often plays unbalanced and sometimes ends up on the ground after taking a punch from his opponent. This is due largely to poor hand technique on his part. He is very passive with his hands, and often allows his opponent to get the first one in. As well, his wide placement when he does land his own strikes makes them much less effective than they could be. In his pass set, he is sometimes late to get his hands up, and rushers are able to swipe them away and beat him with an inside move. Henderson’s footwork in pass protection will also need to improve. As a run blocker, his strength and athleticism are assets. However, he whiffs on too many blocks when out in space. He will lean in and lunge, as opposed to playing through his opponent. I’d also say that his ability to redirect to moving targets is maybe average.
Summary:
Henderson has some solid traits that OL coaches will be able to build around. The strength is there to anchor in pass protection and block in a phone booth in the run game. I wouldn’t call him a great athlete, but he has enough movement skills for it to not be a liability. His technique, at this point, is a work in progress. Hand technique especially needs work, and his footwork in pass protection will need to be cleaned up. Henderson will be a depth player, at least early on, and his inside/outside versatility should help his cause. As well, his status as the blindside protector on a National Championship winning team may work in his favour when it comes to his draft stock. At the next level, he projects as a depth player, but may be able to claw his way into a starting spot at some point, if he makes the necessary improvements.
| Grade: 64.3 | Round Grade: 6th |
23
Nathan Thomas
School: Louisiana-Lafayette
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 332 lbs
Strengths:
Thomas is a big, beefy offensive lineman. His strength is his best asset at this point, and has been his main method of victory. Thomas likes to get after it and initiate contact. When he lands his strikes, they prove to be very disruptive to his opponent’s rush plan. And even when he is a bit more laid back, he has been able to effectively stand up bull rushers and neutralize their power. Thomas has shown that he is capable of being a people mover in the run game. He is at his best in a phone booth, engaging early in the rep and driving forward.
Weaknesses:
Thomas isn’t a great athlete, and there are times where he seems to be lumbering around. He is definitely at his best in a phone booth, and the results can be volatile when you put him on the move. Thomas also lacks the foot quickness and agility to not have some problems against speed rushers. In some matchups, his power will help keep them off their game, but there are also times where he has some quick losses, especially when he is unsuccessful in initiating and engaging. In college, he was in a system that ran the ball a lot and threw a lot of quick passes. This means that his experience in true pass sets is more limited. There will be technical improvements to make as he enters the NFL. His footwork is often sloppy, and makes him look even more clunky out there. He can be uncoordinated at times, whether it is his footwork, hand timing and placement. Strength has helped him overcome a lot, but he won’t just be able to ignore the problems in the NFL. He’ll have to clean it up.
Summary:
Thomas has the strength, size, and demeanor to make it in the NFL. However, I’m not sure he has the athleticism to be a starter. His footwork and overall technique need a lot of work, but perhaps the future projections will be more favourable if he can get those issues fixed. Given how he finds his success, I do wonder if he makes a transition to guard. To my knowledge, he hasn’t played there, so it may be a tough assignment. But if he can make it work, this might be a way to raise the ceiling a little bit. Overall, he projects as a depth offensive lineman, whose game will largely revolve around his strength and anchoring ability and ability to drive opponents forward in the run game.
| Grade: 56.5 | Round Grade: 7th |
24
Giovanni Manu
School: University of British Columbia
Ht/Wt: 6’7”, 352 lbs
Strengths:
Manu is entering the NFL from Canadian college, and has made the waves after an outstanding pro day. He is a towering prospect, who plays with great strength on tape. The pancakes are plentiful, this is not just a result of poor competition. His play demeanor is one that keeps him driving through the final whistle. Stalemates aren’t his thing. He looks to annihilate. For his size, Manu has very good speed. He gets up the field quickly as a run blocker, and he can stack them up. At his size, he can send a DB flying if he makes contact. His length is also a big asset in both phases. It gives him more margin for error as a pass blocker, as defenders have to widen the arc. When they do so, he has the ability to keep them going, rather than allowing them to turn the corner. As a run blocker, it makes disengaging difficult for defenders.
Weaknesses:
Manu has a high ceiling, but a very low floor. This is due to extremely poor technical refinement, which will require a lot of work from coaches at the next level. His footwork is extremely choppy. He can get crossed up quite easily by defenders that threaten the edge. I wouldn’t say his agility is that good either, which is understandable for a bigger guy. But it, along with his footwork issues, pose questions about his ability to mirror at the next level. Manu is also inconsistent with his hand technique, often mistiming and misplacing his punches. He also plays at a high pad level a lot of the time. This has caused balance issues at the point of engagement. Opponents have been able to get a strike in and knock him off balance, before using a rush move to get by him. His field awareness is a work in progress. More consistency is needed in his ability to pickup stunts and blitzes.
Summary:
Manu enters the pro ranks with a ceiling that is sky high. He has an abundance of strength, long arms, speed, and the demeanor to put people on the ground. But his technique needs a lot of work. A year or 2 on the practice squad would help him a lot, or the back-end of a roster spot on a team that can afford to stash him there. He is a boom/bust player, but if a team is able to be patient with him and coach him up the right way, they could be reaping big rewards later on.
| Grade: 56.1 | Round Grade: 7th |
25
Theo Benedet
School: University of British Columbia
Ht/Wt: 6’7”, 295 lbs
Strengths:
Benedet is entering the NFL out of Canadian college football, having made enough of a name for himself to attract scouts from south of the border. What stands out most about his game is his athleticism. Benedet is a silky smooth mover who can glide into his pass sets. The ability is there to redirect in pass protection when he becomes aware of a late blitzer or a stunt. He puts in good work as a run blocker, with his athleticism again shining. He pulls across the line nicely, and he is able to hit moving targets as a blocker down the field. Benedet earned an invite to the 2023 East-West Shrine Game, and performed well in what most would consider a tougher environment. Unlike in the NCAA, Canadian colleges allow players to return to school, even if the pro process has been started. And this is what Benedet did. Despite performing well at the Shrine Bowl, he returned to school, and was able to increase his NFL interest after another good season.
Weaknesses:
The competition is an obvious one that will be brought up. Facing tougher players at the NFL level will be an adjustment for him. But he did get a bit of a head start by playing in last year’s Shrine Game and this year’s College Gridiron Showcase. On the field, his length doesn’t quite seem to match his height. There are times where he is lunging in and having a tougher time latching on to his opponent. Strength is also an issue that shows up on tape. At 295 lbs, he is a bit undersized. There were times where stronger players were able to push him back. Instances of allowing opponents to get under him and gain a leverage advantage also hurt him.
Summary:
Benedet’s smooth athleticism and agility are attractive traits. His mirroring and redirection ability stand out in pass protection, and the way he moves as a run blocker further displays his upside. At this point, Benedet can struggle with stronger players. I wouldn’t call him a people move in the run game, nor would I say he has a great anchor in pass protection. But the good news is that he easily has the frame to pack on more mass and get that issue improved. The bigger concern may come with his ability to play with leverage. He doesn’t seem to have great length for his size, which may cause some issues to persist. Still his athleticism is something NFL teams can work with. Further, if he can pack on some weight and get stronger, he is someone who could end up competing for a starting job at some point.
| Grade: 55.8 | Round Grade: 7th |
26
Walter Rouse
School: Oklahoma
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 313 lbs
Strengths:
Rouse is a player who comes with good length and solid strength. He may not win every power battle, but he generally anchors pretty well and is able to stay engaged with his opponent. Rouse generates some movement as a run blocker when allowed to stay in his phone booth. In both phases, he plays with good technique, staying square to his opponent, and properly timing and placing his hand strikes.
Weaknesses:
Athleticism is below average, and it caused problems. Opponents were able to consistently threaten around the edge with speed. Rouse could neutralize some of them with his strength, but the speedier ones caused problems. There were times where he barely got away with using his reach to push them all the way around the arc. But the competition will be tougher in the NFL. Rouse isn’t someone who I’d have on the move very often as a run blocker, as hitting moving targets can be a challenge for him, given his lack of speed and quickness.
Summary:
Rouse projects as a depth player at the next level. He has enough strength and plays with good enough technique to probably earn a spot near the bottom of a roster. However, his athletic shortcomings, and mediocrity when it comes to other traits, puts a big cap on his ceiling in the league.
| Grade: 55.3 | Round Grade: 7th |
OT Rankings:
- Joe Alt (92.2, Rd 1)
- Taliese Fuaga (87.3, Rd 1)
- Tyler Guyton (87.2, Rd 1)
- Amarius Mims (85.7, Rd 1)
- Olumuyiwa Fashanu (85.2, Rd 1)
- Troy Fautanu (85.1, Rd 1)
- JC Latham (85.0, Rd 1)
- Graham Barton (81.5, Rd 2)
- Kiran Amegadije (81.4, Rd 2)
- Patrick Paul (81.3, Rd 2)
- Jordan Morgan (80.6, Rd 2)
- Blake Fisher (78.5, Rd 3)
- Roger Rosengarten (74.9, Rd 4)
- Kingsley Suamataia (74.8, Rd 4)
- Christian Jones (74.3, Rd 4)
- Delmar Glaze (70.5, Rd 4)
- Matt Goncalves (68.0, Rd 5)
- Caedan Wallace (67.3, Rd 5)
- Tylan Grable (65.4, Rd 5)
- Javon Foster (64.7, Rd 6)
- Frank Crum (64.4, Rd 6)
- LaDarius Henderson (64.3, Rd 6)
- Nathan Thomas (56.5, Rd 7)
- Giovanni Manu (56.1, Rd 7)
- Theo Benedet (55.8, Rd 7)
- Walter Rouse (55.3, Rd 7)
Notables Not Graded:
- Garret Greenfield
- Julian Pearl
- Josiah Ezirim
- Ethan Driskell
- Anim Dankwah
- Jeremy Flax
- Andrew Coker
Modified Featured Image Via: Chad Kainz (CC)