2025 NFL Draft Rankings: G/C
G Rankings:
1
Donovan Jackson
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 315 lbs
Strengths:
Jackson is a big, well built G who brings strength and power to both phases of the game. As a run blocker, he is consistently able to generate forward push, or at least seal up the edge to create running room for the ball carrier. He looked pretty solid when asked to pull horizontally across the line, and usually did a good job of staying square to his opponent. Jackson anchors really well in pass protection. His frame is not lacking in mass, and in some instances, he’ll almost just engulf the rusher, not allowing him to get any further. His long reach also allows him to win the leverage battle more often than not. Jackson is aware as a blocker, and reacts well to stunts being dialed up by defensive coordinators. He picks up on them quickly and can take care of his responsibilities without any confusion.
Weaknesses:
Jackson is a decent athlete, which shows on some of his pulls. However, quick penetrating DT’s can sometimes give him trouble. It is the rush edge that is a bit tough for him to protect when facing quicker interior rushers. Sometimes he can also be a bit late to react, an issue that is further exacerbated by poor hand placement. As a run blocker, moving up field to block in plays isn’t his strong suit. Unlike when he is pulling across the line, where he has to reach a certain spot, blocking upfield requires him to hit a moving target. This really puts his agility to the test. Sometimes he passes, but sometimes he doesn’t. Consistency in this area will be tougher to find.
Summary:
Jackson projects as a starting G at the next level thanks to his big frame, long reach, and abundance of strength and power. His power shows up in pass protection and as a run blocker, and he has had his fair share of dominant reps. Jackson’s high football IQ leads to minimal mental mistakes, and will help him to potentially earn a starting spot as a rookie. His athleticism gets a pass, but isn’t perfect. It is good enough on pulls where he has to seal the edge, but he is a bit more limited when blocking in space vertically. As well, quick penetrating DT’s can cause disturbances. That said, his issues aren’t glaring, by any means. In a scheme that is more power oriented, he really can thrive, though I do still think he is decently scheme versatile. Entering the pro level, his hand technique will have to improve, as well as some other minor technical adjustments. He should, ultimately, be able to challenge for a starting spot as a rookie, and in the long run I expect him to be a quality starter.
| Grade: 87.4 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Grey Zabel
School: North Dakota State
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 312 lbs
Strengths:
Zabel is a versatile offensive lineman with a good all around skill set to be a good player at the next level. He meets baseline strength requirements and then some, possessing a big enough frame to halt defenders looking to beat him with power. Zabel is a good athlete with speed and an abundance of quickness. As a tackle, he is capable of protecting against speed. From a guard’s perspective, his athleticism is elite. He has more than enough quickness to secure his rush edges and not allow finesse rushers to take advantage of him. Zabel’s combination of athleticism and strength naturally makes him a good run blocker. He works well in a phone booth, but stands out when he is on the move. In space, he can hit those moving targets, as well as pull across the line, showing off his agility. Despite being quite tall, he generally does a good job of keeping his pads at a good, centred level. It can be tough for taller linemen not to get the pad level too high, but he seems to be in control of that. Zabel has experience playing G and OT in college, and got work at C during the Senior Bowl week, a transition he made seamlessly. The versatility will be highly coveted by coaches who will then have more flexibility to send out their top 5 without having to worry as much about position.
Weaknesses:
Zabel has most of the traits that you could want, with just one glaring omission. But when I say glaring, I don’t mean that lightly. His arm length is quite below the standards of what you would want for an OT. For this reason, his highest and best use is projected to be on the inside, as some matchups on the outside will see him at a big leverage disadvantage. Even at G or C, it can be an issue, but one that is easier to mitigate on the inside. Zabel is a skilled player, but I’d like to see him play with a more aggressive and nasty mindset. There are times where he’ll allow his opponent into his chest, and will get knocked off balance. In both phases, there are instances where his footwork can look a bit sloppy. It is something he’ll have to clean up.
Summary:
Zabel has a combination of strength and athleticism that easily projects him into a starting spot at the next level. He played a lot on the outside in college, and has the overall skill set for it. However, his lack of arm strength will probably see him kick inside instead. He also has experience at G, so it shouldn’t be a big deal. Even if OT isn’t where he is best suited, the versatility is still a big plus, as you never know when it might come in handy. As for some developmental areas, his aggressiveness is something that can be increased. I’d like to see him play meaner, and not just allow defenders into his chest. As well, footwork will need to be cleaned up. Zabel has some minor issues to fix, but should be a quality starter in the NFL. He’ll be competing for a starting job on day 1.
| Grade: 84.9 | Round Grade: 2nd |
3
Tyler Booker
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 321 lbs
Strengths:
Booker has a massive wingspan which allows him to play with an abundance of natural leverage. He is able to extend his arms onto his opponent, and his long reach makes it difficult to disengage from blocks. The amount of strength and power that he brings to the table is also substantial. His heavy build makes it nearly impossible for him to be pushed back by a bull rush. In the run game, he is a road grader. Booker gets a lot of pop into his strikes and will bully his opponent, forcing him back off his spot, and opening a lane for the runner.
Weaknesses:
Booker is a sub par athlete, which does cause some cracks to form in his game. Although you can’t really beat him with strength, finesse is a viable method of victory for DT’s going up against booker. He doesn’t have quick enough feet to completely secure the rush edge, and he can allow a rusher to get through the gap. As well, there have been instances of success for defenders with effective inside counter moves. Blocking in the run game, Booker can have a tough time blocking in space. His feet aren’t quick enough to consistently land his blocks on moving targets. As well, he can look sluggish when pulling across the line. From a technical standpoint, Booker could improve his hand placement, keeping them more narrow and centred. As well, there are times in pass protection where he’ll let his opponent initiate contact, rather than striking first himself. His anchor strength helps mitigate this issue, but more aggressiveness would be nice to see.
Summary:
Booker’s strength, reach, and mean streak make him an ideal fit for the guard position. He lacks the athleticism to truly be a top tier player at the position, but he can still be highly effective in a power-based scheme. I wouldn’t want him on the move too often, but if you let him block in a phone booth, he can get the job done. There will be instances of trouble against finesse rushers, but overall, Booker should be a reliable starter at the next level.
| Grade: 82.1 | Round Grade: 2nd |
4
Tate Ratledge
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’7”, 308 lbs
Strengths:
Ratledge is a big G prospect with a nice combination of strength and athleticism. He has the ability to stonewall bull rushers. When his feet are dug into the ground, good luck moving him off his spot. Ratledge does a good job of blocking in a phone booth, and his downhill mentality helps. He is able to get some push, and really does a good job of sealing off his opponent when blocking in the run game. As a pass protector, his quick feet are on display in instances where he is forced to redirect–usually against quicker rushers. He has recovery ability for times when he loses the early part of the rep. Ratledge blocks well on the move. He does well when asked to pull across the line, but even more impressive is the way he can stack blocks when he is out in space vertically. For a taller guy, he does a pretty good job at maintaining a centred pad level, which helps in both phases.
Weaknesses:
Ratledge has some good traits, but isn’t yet all the way along in his development. He is an aggressive player, which is good sometimes, but bad at others. On some reps, he is a bit over eager and leans forward early on, and defenders with a good push/pull move can take advantage of his weak positioning. There are times where he’ll miss his hand strike, which also sets him at a disadvantage. Technical issues have led to him keeping a softer rush edge, which has opened the door for rushers to sneak through. Ratledge is lacking in arm length, which does partly contribute to these issues, as well. It hurts him in his fight for leverage, and can leave him vulnerable to inside moves.
Summary:
The combination of strength and athleticism present in his game projects favourably for Ratledge as an NFL prospect. He can block in a phone booth or on the move as a run blocker, and handle both power and finesse as a pass blocker. I think he can challenge for a starting spot on day 1, but isn’t, by any means, a lock to win that spot. There could be some early growing pains for him, depending on how long it takes to work out some issues that persist in his technique. But even if he has to settle for first off the bench type role in year 1, he should be starting at some point soon.
| Grade: 81.0 | Round Grade: 2nd |
5
Jackson Slater
School: Sacramento State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 311 lbs
Strengths:
Slater is a small school G prospect with the traits and talent to become a quality starter in the NFL. His athleticism is what stands out immediately when watching his tape. He is very nimble and quick on his feet, allowing him to execute pulls in the run game and block in space. You can see the fluidity, and it seems to give him a sense of calm as he is blocking in space, and he always manages to hit his target. He slides well in pass protection and can handle stunts or nifty rushers who try to work his rush edge. Slater also has a good amount of strength. In the run game, he was consistently able to seal off the edges of the lane he wanted to open up, removing his opponent from the play. He is also fairly consistent when matched up against power. Stater does not get bullied. Instead, he plays at a good pad level and can anchor.
Weaknesses:
There are times where Slater can struggle to sustain his blocks. Part of the reason for this is his lack of arm length. He has the strength to get that early win, but as his opponent continues to battle, he begins to lose leverage, and will end up falling off the block. Balance is also something that ties into this. Slater played at a small school and faced small school competition. It will be quite the jump for him when he gets to the NFL. The speed and strength that he’ll face will be pretty new to him.
Summary:
Slater has the upside to be a starter at the NFL level. His movement skills are easily translatable in both pass protection and the run game, and he has the strength to hold up against NFL competition, even with more room to add. The jump in competition will be something significant, but he did perform well during the Senior Week. A relatively small sample size like that won’t eliminate the concerns, but it should ease them. He’ll have to work on maintaining better balance throughout his reps, in order to help his chances of sustaining his block. His lack of length is not ideal, but Slater possesses most of the other necessary traits, and should still be able to carve out a starting role at some point. Given the jump, it might not be in year one, but I don’t think he is too far away.
| Grade: 80.3 | Round Grade: 2nd |
6
Wyatt Milum
School: West Virginia
Ht/Wt: 6’7”, 313 lbs
Strengths:
Milum is a strong player whose game will bring plenty of power to the field. He isn’t someone that is satisfied with stalemates. When he can, he’ll continue to drive his opponent forward. His mindset and power in the run game has allowed him to seal off defenders, when he isn’t completely paving them out of the way, and open up good lanes for the ball carrier. Milum’s anchor is good in pass protection, and power rushers often have a tough time getting through him. He can detect when twists are coming his way, and get a jump on stopping them. Milum will likely kick inside to G at the next level, but his versatility and experience on the outside will be viewed as a plus, as he would be a viable option to play OT in a pinch.
Weaknesses:
Milum is a college OT who will move inside because he lacks ideal arm length to make it on the outside. This, along with playing at a high pad level, has caused him to lose leverage in many of his battles. Milum is also a sluggish mover, which leaves cracks in his game. Speed is troubling for him as an OT, but even at G, quicker pass rushers will have chances to expose his rush edge. He plays with sloppy footwork, which further opens up opportunities for his opponents, and can make it tough for him to recover. Given some of his movement deficiencies, there is more need to be good in other areas. While he has the strength to still be a good player, his slow hands sometimes prevent him from being able to get that initial strike in, and leaves him vulnerable. In the run game, he is much better in a phone booth, where he can drive his opponent forward, as opposed to blocking on the move. He is actually decent at stacking blocks vertically, but can struggle when forced to move laterally.
Summary:
Milum enters the NFL likely to be moved from OT to G due to having short arms, but the strength and power that he possesses should allow him to have success in his transition. He makes sense for teams that run a power-based scheme, as his ability to anchor in pass protection and drive opponents forward in the run game are things that stand out on tape. That being said, at best, he is an average athlete, and poor footwork further leads to issues handling quickness. He’ll need to rely on his power to mitigate, but slow hands and a high pad level can sometimes make that challenging. Milum has the power and mean streak to be an eventual starter in the right system. But preferably, he’d have some time to improve and clean up his technique. I’d expect there to be growing pains if he has to see the field too early. At some point, though, he looks like someone who will end up starting.
| Grade: 74.8 | Round Grade: 4th |
7
Miles Frazier
School: LSU
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 317 lbs
Strengths:
Frazier is a big offensive lineman who has enough strength and enough length to make it in both phases. His burst right off of the snap is pretty noticeable, which can put him at an early advantage in some reps. This trait combines nicely with his strength. In the run game, it gives him a bit more juice to generate some forward movement, while in the passing game, it makes anchoring easier. He blocks well in a phone booth, where he can use his size and strength to his advantage in the trenches. That said, he is decently functional on pulls. Frazier can also stack up a couple of blocks vertically.
Weaknesses:
Frazier has the strength to really anchor well in pass protection, yet he sometimes has trouble sustaining his blocks. One reason for this is that he tends to lose hand battles against feisty opponents. In some cases, the rusher was able to swipe away his hands and deliver a strike to knock him off balance. At that point, I wouldn’t say he is a push over, but it is definitely easier to get him pushed backwards. As an athlete, Frazier has good explosion and decent straight line speed, but struggles more as a lateral mover. He is functional as a move blocker, but it is not his strong suit. When he needs to change directions as a blocker in space, he begins to look more out of his element. He is a stiff mover, which can also impact his pass protection. Rushers effectively use the push/pull technique on him, and he has a tough time resetting. His rush edge isn’t always well protected.
Summary:
Frazier has the size and strength to be a solid pass and run blocker at the next level. Athletically, he is alright in more of a straight line sense, but agility limitations limit as a run blocker, and cause issues in pass protection. In the right scheme, these can be somewhat hidden, and his length should help him gain leverage. But as he transitions to the next level, his technique will need work before he gets to that point where you can trust him. Despite having strength and length advantages over some of his opponents, he can struggle to gain that leverage advantage because he loses out in hand battles, and allows the defender to set into his chest. The overall ceiling isn’t super high, but technical improvements could allow him to be a solid starter. If not, he should at least be a good depth guy, who also brings versatility, having spent time at 4 out of the 5 offensive line positions (C being the exception).
| Grade: 73.3 | Round Grade: 4th |
8
Marcus Mbow
School: Purdue
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 303 lbs
Strengths:
Mbow is an athletic offensive lineman who brings experience at both G and OT. More recently, he was on the outside, where his athleticism was really allowed to shine. He mirrors pass rushers quite nicely, and had some impressive recoveries after a few early losses. Mbow is a feisty hand fighter who will really put his opponent to work in that regard. He delivers effective hand strikes that are well timed. Mbow blocks well in space. He has the quickness to re-route, based on the movement of both his target and the ball carrier. Blocking in space isn’t an issue for him, nor is pulling across the line. His aggressive demeanor has led to some nice finishes.
Weaknesses:
There is a bit of a predicament here as for what position he should be placed at. For an OT, he is lacking when it comes to mass and strength. But his short arms would heavily imply that he gets moved inside to G. Doing that, however, would only enhance the strength/mass issue. You’re picking your own poison, in a sense. Mbow, even on the outside, was pushed around quite a bit. Power rushers enjoyed playing against him, because their leverage advantage, combined with their strength advantage, made it a very favourable matchup. Blocking in a phone booth is not for him. Another issue in his game was that some oversets show up, as a result of overaggressiveness.
Summary:
Mbow is a high end athlete for the offensive line, which makes him an asset as a blocker on the move, and allows him to mirror the rush attacks of his opponents. However, he is undersized and needs to add a lot more strength to really be effective. His short arms make this even more challenging, because his best fit would be on the inside, but if DE’s gave him trouble with power, DT’s certainly will too. At this point, he just isn’t ready to see the field. But in time if he can get to a point where he can better fend off power rushers, and bring more of it as a run blocker, he has a chance to earn a starting spot. Mbow’s athleticism will allow him to do a lot of good things, so the upside is there if he is able to fill in the blanks.
| Grade: 73.2 | Round Grade: 4th |
9
Jonah Savaiinaea
School: Arizona
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 324 lbs
Strengths:
Savaiinaea has experience at both G and OT that he can take with him into the NFL, offering versatility. As a G, he has pretty good athleticism. There is enough quickness to jump out of his stance and pull across the line. While I wouldn’t have him travelling too far from home, he is capable in space, as well. He has quick enough feet to mirror interior rushers, and can protect his edges. Savaiinaea has a dense frame that can absorb a lot of contact. He is a tough one for guys to get around, and it often takes savvy rushers to beat him. The more straightforward rushes don’t do the trick. He is capable of generating some movement as a downhill run blocker and can steer guys out of the way.
Weaknesses:
Savaiinaea doesn’t have the quickness to be a regular on the outside at OT, which will mean he kicks inside to G. However, despite him having a dense frame, there are moments where his strength looks a bit questionable, by G standards. There are instances where he has to strain a little bit. Anchoring isn’t his calling card. There are also times where his pad level rises, and he fails to get a good grip, instead ending up being pushed back. Savaiinaea has decent athleticism, but moments that require more agility do expose a little stiffness.
Summary:
Savaiinaea will be kicking inside to G after spending most of his time at OT in college. But he does enter having some G experience from his earlier days. Though his athleticism isn’t elite, by any means, it’ll do the trick for what he is required to do on the inside. His well built frame would suggest that he can play with some power, but he had more issues anchoring than I expected. He’ll have some technical things to clean up, but Savaiinaea could be a solid starter or good backup on the inside, with the ability to kick outside in a pinch.
| Grade: 73.0 | Round Grade: 4th |
10
Caleb Rogers
School: Texas Tech
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 312 lbs
Strengths:
Likely moving inside to G, Rogers has good athleticism by OT standards, and it will certainly translate on the inside. He is a decently graceful mover, with quick enough feet to protect his rush edges on the inside. Rogers looks good blocking on the move. He can pull across the line and seal things up on the other side. Or, he can move to the second level and stack up blocks in front of the ball carrier. He does a good job of redirecting guys in the run game. Enough strength is there for him to angle guys off in the run game, and open up a running lane. The versatility that he brings will give coaches some flexibility, and allow them to have another option at OT, should they need him in a pinch.
Weaknesses:
Rogers has decent strength, but can still add in order for his anchor to be more consistent. Regardless, though, there probably will be issues sustaining blocks. This is due to poor length. He also can be a bit slow to get his strike in, which allows his opponent to get the first one. Lacking the length to then latch on, his opponent is able to gain leverage and create some push of his own.
Summary:
Rogers has good athleticism for an offensive lineman, and it is even better if you consider him to be a full time G at the next level, which I do. His movement skills and ability to block in space will appeal to teams, and his fluidity also doesn’t hurt in pass protection. His lack of length will cause some issues, even on the inside, though he might be able to somewhat mitigate it if he can get better timing with his hands. Getting stronger and adding more power to his game should also help. Rogers is experienced at both G and OT, which improves his chances of seeing the field if he is a depth guy waiting to step in. With some development, Rogers has the chance to be a solid starter, or if not, at least a good backup.
| Grade: 69.8 | Round Grade: 5th |
11
Dylan Fairchild
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 318 lbs
Strengths:
Fairchild is a G prospect that displayed tremendous athleticism on the football field. In their system, he wasn’t always asked to block in space, but when he was, his movement skills were highly evident. Speed, burst, and agility–the full package. Fairchild is able to get out of his stance quickly and pull to the other side to seal off the edge. He also can easily make it to the second level and hit moving targets when blocking upfield. Fairchild plays with an aggressive attitude and had his head on a swivel. He would be looking for work when left unoccupied, checking to see if he can help out one of his teammates. In pass protection, his quick feet allow him to redirect when pressure is coming from different directions. His arm length gives him an advantage in some matchups, and affords him an opportunity to gain some leverage on his opponent.
Weaknesses:
While he showed some flashes of power, this area was more so a matchup that did not work well for him. He had quite a few stalemates, and was pushed back more than I would have liked to see. At the next level, he’ll need to get stronger. Technique also is not blameless. He played with wide hands way too often, exposing his chest to be struck by his opponent. This also contributed to the times where he was pushed back. With sloppy footwork and an elevated pad level, he would further dig himself into a hole. His awareness on blitzes and stunts can stand to improve. There were times where blitzers would blow by him and he would kind of have this surprised look with an extremely late reaction. Fairchild will need to get stronger also to generate more push as a run blocker.
Summary:
Fairchild is a great athlete for the G position, and has enough length to tilt leverage battles in his favour. That being said, he is a raw prospect, overall, and will need some time to put it all together. He’ll need to get stronger to improve his anchoring ability and ability to drive in the run game. As well, his technique needs improvement in multiple areas. His issues are all fixable, so in theory, the ceiling could actually be quite high. When the to do list is long enough, it can be tough, however. With a lot of work being needed, he’d be a riskier pick earlier on. But somewhere in the middle of day 3, the upside should be worth the flyer.
| Grade: 67.6 | Round Grade: 5th |
12
Joshua Gray
School: Oregon State
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 299 lbs
Strengths:
Gray is a solid athlete who displays a decent amount of fluidity when blocking in space. He is useful on pulls, and capable of landing his blocks on moving targets. He slides well in pass protection, and can guard his rush edges against quicker opponents. Gray was able to get more drive as a run blocker than I would have thought. There were flashes where he was able to actually get quite a bit of movement. Gray gets a decent amount of pop in his punches, and can disrupt his opponent’s rush attack, and force him to pivot. This past season, he played on the inside at G, but this came after spending the rest of his college career at OT. Versatility is never seen as a bad thing.
Weaknesses:
Gray is on the lean and light side for a G. Even for an OT he would be considered light. He showed some flashes of power, but as a whole, this wasn’t an area where he excelled, unsurprisingly. Many of his better reps in pass protection looked more like stalemates. This issue impacted him less in the run game, as he was still able to drive with his legs. But getting strong should still help him going forward, in both phases. Gray generally blocked well on the move, but poor angles hurt him on some plays, and there were times where he overran his intended target. As well, his arm length is quite a bit below what you would want, and this caused him to lunge on some plays, in an attempt to land his block. But this just led to some whiffs. Grey often plays with a high pad level, which isn’t a good thing to do at any point, but especially when you have short arms. This prevents him from generating as much power as he could, and instead gives a leverage advantage to his opponent. In some instances, he would revert to holding, or get awfully close.
Summary:
Gray has inside/outside versatility, but short arms will force G to be his regular position. He is a solid athlete that can block on the move, and has flashed power as a run blocker. However, he will need to fill out and get stronger to have a more consistent anchor, and turn the power flashes in the run game into more consistency. Poor technique, such as an elevated pad level, also caused some issues, while bad angles impacted his blocking in space. Gray has enough desirable traits to make it. Outside of his arm length, his issues are mostly fixable. If he can get stronger, Gray has the chance to be a starter, or possibly a reliable depth option.
| Grade: 65.1 | Round Grade: 5th |
13
Marcus Tate
School: Clemson
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 321 lbs
Strengths:
Tate has a pretty solid combination of strength and athleticism to take with him into the NFL. He has the ability to absorb power and neutralize it, setting a strong anchor against opponents who try to bull rush him. His athleticism is functional, and is probably best suited on vertical blocks in the run game, where he is required to stack blocks upfield. Overall, his footwork is pretty clean, which helps him to mirror his opponent.
Weaknesses:
Tate has a lengthy injury history that kept him out of a lot of action over the last few years. On the field, he plays with a high pad level way too often, which hurts him in leverage battles. There have been a good handful of times where his opponent took advantage by striking his chest and knocking him off balance. As well, Tate fell victim to a swim move on a couple of occasions during my exposures. Feisty rushers are sometimes able to beat him by winning the hand battle and swiping him out of their way. In the run game, I’d like to see him generate a little more push.
Summary:
Tate has enough strength and athleticism to make it in the NFL. Though for his strength, he should have been able to create more push as a run blocker. Still, he anchors well enough in pass protection, but will have to improve his hand technique and learn to keep the pads down in order to find more consistency in his game. The lengthy injury history is also a concern, and likely will knock him down draft boards. He has starting potential if he can clean some things up and stay healthy. There is definitely some risk, however.
| Grade: 64.1 | Round Grade: 6th |
14
Joe Huber
School: Wisconsin
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 310 lbs
Strengths:
Huber has a good blend of traits that will allow him to enter the NFL with a good amount of upside as a prospect. I wouldn’t call him an elite athlete, but he moves pretty well, and has shown this off in both phases of the game. In pass protection, he slides pretty well, and he has the ability to recover after initially losing on the rep. Huber is solid when blocking on the move. He can pull and get out vertically to stack some blocks. He is also a strong player, and has shown flashes of playing with power. His burst off the line then leads into a powerful strike, which throws off his opponent’s rush. There have also been instances where he has moved people in the run game. All this together shows a nicely distributed blend of traits. He also has shown some versatility, playing both G spots, as well as RT.
Weaknesses:
The physical traits are nice, but Huber still looks a ways away from being ready. His technique in several areas is in need of, not just of fixing, but arguably an overhaul. Huber loses hand battles quite often, relinquishing leverage in the process before then allowing himself to get pushed back. He is also very sloppy in how he protects his rush edges. Finesse moves often bait him into lunging forward, which sets up his opponent perfectly for the counter move. Huber’s footwork is also pretty sloppy, and instances of poor balance have further gotten him into some trouble.
Summary:
Huber is a ball of clay at this point. He has the strength, size, and athleticism to be a good player in the NFL. However, being a ball of clay, he will need to be moulded into that player. At this point, his technique is in need of a lot of work, and he just isn’t ready to see the field. Footwork will have to be cleaned up, as will his hand technique. Huber will also have to tighten up against finesse rushers and do a better job of securing his edges by refraining from oversetting. It may take some time, but he is a worthwhile developmental project. He likely goes on day 3, but the range seems pretty wide. Maybe a team looks at the upside and takes him earlier, or perhaps the riskiness pushes him down later into day 3. He is boom or bust at the next level.
| Grade: 62.7 | Round Grade: 6th |
15
Xavier Truss
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’7”, 309 lbs
Strengths:
Truss has height and decent length to work with, which helps him in battles for leverage. He’s got a worker bee style of play. The head is always on a swivel and he’ll look for work and help out a teammate if he has the opportunity to do so. He also reads the play well, picking up on stunts and blitzes that are thrown his way. Truss has flashed a good hand strike, and can especially be effective when his timing is just right. He brings a lot of versatility to the table, having made a large number of starts at both G and OT.
Weaknesses:
Truss has a tall but lean frame, and can have his struggles against stronger players, in both phases of the game. He has a tough time anchoring when faced up against power rushers, and is also inconsistent at creating movement in the run game. His pad level is often too high, which allows defenders to get under him and gain leverage. Truss has the body type of an OT, but the athleticism of a G. I don’t think he is fluid enough for OT to be his regular position, thus making it likely that the inside is where he’ll stay at the next level, outside of his team being short of OT depth. He isn’t a huge asset as a blocker on the move, and speed can burn him around the edge. Even by G standards I wouldn’t say that athleticism is a strength. But it will be less of an issue.
Summary:
Truss is a developmental project at the next level. He has good height for the OT position, but his underwhelming athleticism likely will make G his primary position. His ceiling is capped at either position due to this issue, but he has the chance to become a good depth player, or maybe more, if he can get stronger and improve his consistency. If he is trying to make it as a backup, his versatility will help his case, as will his length. I wouldn’t expect him to contribute right away, but enough is there to work with for him to be a late round pick or priority undrafted free agent that has a chance to crack a back-end roster spot.
| Grade: 58.1 | Round Grade: 7th |
16
Garrett Dellinger
School: LSU
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 325 lbs
Strengths:
Dellinger possesses adequate strength that gives him a solid floor in both phases. He has flashed the ability to anchor against power rushers, and has good enough length for an interior lineman to win some of the leverage battles. Dellinger is a good downhill blocker in the run game. He does well to steer defensive linemen out of the way, and in some cases, creates a solid amount of forward push. Dellinger enters the NFL having started at G, OT, and C.
Weaknesses:
Sub par athleticism puts a decent cap on his upside. Dellinger can get twisted around by quick penetrators who are able to expose his rush edge. As well, he is not the biggest asset on pulls or downfield blocks. Dellinger is still raw when it comes to technique. On some of his pass sets, it almost looks like he is leaning backwards as he is getting out of his stance. There are balance issues, which partially negate the power that he brings. This has caused him to get pushed back on some plays.
Summary:
Dellinger is a scheme specific player who is limited by his mobility. He doesn’t move particularly well, which leaves his rush edges vulnerable and causes him trouble as a blocker on the move. He brings good power, which especially shows up as a downhill run blocker, but poor technique often negates this in pass protection. He has some things to work on, but Dellinger has enough tools to be a solid depth guy.
| Grade: 55.8 | Round Grade: 7th |
17
Hayden Conner
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 314 lbs
Strengths:
Conner is a big, well built G who also has good length to help him win his matchups. Strength is the name of his game. At his best, Conner is able to completely stonewall rushers, not allowing them to create even an inch of forward movement. He has the ability to hold up against the strongest of interior defensive linemen. Conner plays with power in the run game when he is left to block in a phone booth. He is capable of driving his opponent forward and sealing off any edges, allowing the ball carrier to have a lane to pass through.
Weaknesses:
Conner has a lot of natural strength, but oftentimes negates it by playing at a pad level that is too high. He initially is able to withstand any power rushes, but his high pad level allows the defender to chip away at him, slowly pushing forward while Conner’s balance and leverage begin to go out the window. He will need to shore up his technique to ensure that he can sustain his blocks. Conner is also a below average athlete. Twitchier rushers are able to get quick penetration in some instances. As well, he is not someone I would want to have blocking in space very often.
Summary:
Conner’s big frame, strength, and length will give him something to work with for teams who run a power-based scheme. He lacks the athleticism to block on the move or to not have some leakage through his rush edges, so the ceiling is lower. He’ll have to lower his pad level and play more consistently with better technique to avoid mistakes. If he can fix the issues, Conner has the chance to develop into a solid depth option in the right system. But he might not meet athleticism thresholds to become a starter.
| Grade: 55.1 | Round Grade: 7th |
18
Sal Wormley
School: Penn State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 327 lbs
Strengths:
Wormley has a well built frame and seems to have good length as well. He generally holds up well against power, with flashes of anchoring ability and few instances of getting totally pushed back. In the run game, he can generate some forward movement when he gets low and drives with his legs. Wormley is functional when blocking on the move. Straight line speed is decent, and he can execute basic tasks.
Weaknesses:
Hand technique looks like his biggest weakness. He lost those battles more than I would have liked, and he allowed his opponent access to his frame, which did cause him to get pushed back. It wasn’t a matter of strength, but leverage. Wormley had his fair share of losses via dip/rip or other inside counters. Savvy finesse rushers gave him some trouble. While his strength is good, he had a lot of stalemates in both phases. Need to see him use his power more consistently to his advantage. Wormley has decent straight line speed, but is stiffer when moving laterally. He can get by, but will have some inconsistencies when blocking on the move.
Summary:
Wormley projects as a potential depth option at the next level. His build, strength, and experience all work in his favour. Athleticism isn’t great, but he has enough to get by. Where he struggles most is with his technique, especially to do with the hands. He loses out to feisty rushers with active hands, and also has trouble stopping inside counter moves. The instances of quick pressures being allowed would make me hesitant to play him right away, but he’s got enough to work with to end up being a solid backup at some point.
| Grade: 54.8 | Round Grade: UDFA |
19
Luke Kandra
School: Cincinnati
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 319 lbs
Strengths:
Kandra is a technically sound player. He stays square to his opponent in pass protection and makes sure not to get beat due to a bad lunge or false step. His hand technique is also quite good. Rushers try to swipe his hands away, but he fends them off nicely, and prevents them from getting a clean jab into his chest. Kandra generates a decent amount of push in the run game. He is at his best blocking in a phone booth, where he is able to open up lanes for the ball carrier.
Weaknesses:
Kandra doesn’t really stand out when it comes to physical traits. He shows glimpses of power in the run game, but overall, I wouldn’t say he is super physically imposing. There isn’t a lot of pop visible in his pass sets. When he wins, it is more to do with technique. Athleticism is where he really lacks. Stunts and late blitzes can set him into panic mode. He mostly was able to get the job done, in my exposures, but the jump in competition and speed at the NFL level may prove to be different. In the run game, I don’t see enough lateral mobility for him to be very useful as a blocker in space, beyond some simple stuff closer to home base.
Summary:
Kandra plays with clean technique and an adequate but unspectacular amount of strength and power. He plays a solid game, but his lack of athleticism will cause issues in pass protection to still show up. As well, he has his struggles when blocking in space. When you have guys who lack when it comes to athleticism, you generally hope to at least partially compensate with an abundance of power. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have that. The ceiling is limited, and he’ll be hard pressed to win a regular starting job. But he has enough strength and plays a clean game from a technical standpoint, which could help him land a job in a depth role.
| Grade: 54.7 | Round Grade: UDFA |
C Rankings:
1
Jared Wilson
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 310 lbs
Strengths:
Wilson is a top tier athlete for an offensive lineman, possessing elite speed and elite lateral agility. His movement skills are super smooth, which allows him to effortlessly mirror the rush of his opponent. He can slide to match any kind of movement. The ability to recover after a loss is also there. His work as a blocker in space is fun to watch. Wilson can get into a full sprint, with legit speed, when looking to get ahead of the runner to serve as a lead blocker. The agility is easily there for him to hit moving targets, and adjust laterally when they change course. Pulling across the line is also easy for him.
Weaknesses:
Wilson has elite athleticism, but doesn’t come close to matching when it comes to power. He fails to generate much forward drive in the run game, and has his issues against NT’s who are looking to push the pocket. Wilson sometimes plays at a high pad level and allows his opponent to get under him. He also loses out in too many hand battles, which also sometimes results in him getting walked back. Wilson can sometimes be slow to react to quick penetrators, which has resulted in some losses. As well, he has a bad habit of overextending, which results in some leaky edges.
Summary:
Wilson’s elite athleticism and smooth movement skills will catch some eyes, and have him on the radar, come draft day. He is an effortless blocker in space, and his ability to play a smooth game in pass protection gives him a solid base to work with. But on the flip side, he currently lacks the power to be an effective player at the next level. He will need to add to his frame and get stronger. As well, there are some technical aspects that need to be cleaned up. I don’t think he is ready on day 1 to be a starter, but there is developmental upside thanks to him having passable length and athleticism that you can’t teach.
| Grade: 70.2 | Round Grade: 4th |
2
Jake Majors
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 306 lbs
Strengths:
Majors is a tremendous athlete, showing great speed and fluidity on the football field. He mirrors well in pass protection, and has the quickness to keep quick penetrators from slipping through the rush edge. Blocking on the move in the run game is where he really stands out. Majors moves gracefully in the open field. He quickly identifies his target, and is able to land his block, adjusting his path as necessary. His overall IQ has been praised by coaches, which is something you want from your C, who is in charge of the protections and is needed to be a leader on offence.
Weaknesses:
Majors is severely lacking when it comes to strength, as well as arm length. He slides well in pass protection and can mirror rush attacks. However, when it comes to protecting against power, stalemates are usually the best he can do. There were many times where he was pushed close to his limit, but was just able to hang on and not give up ground. But these close calls can easily turn into quick losses against high end NFL power. He will need to add some mass to his frame and get stronger, though I’m not sure how much more he can pack on. His length issue is one that can’t be fixed, and it will make gaining leverage a challenge for him. Rushers with a long reach will look to beat him with counter moves. As a run blocker, he is good on the move, but doesn’t generate any push from a phone booth. Majors isn’t a downhill player at all.
Summary:
Majors is an elite athlete for an interior offensive lineman. He is easily able to get into space, and can execute the more challenging tasks as a blocker in space. That being said, he lacks the necessary strength and length to be a high end player at the position. His version of power is getting in a stalemate–something that doesn’t bode well for his transition to the next level. Majors will need to get stronger to have a chance. If he can at least get up to adequate, it may be enough for him to combine with his athleticism and become a solid player. His technique and athleticism will very much appeal to teams that require more movement in space from their offensive linemen. They might be more willing to take a shot, with the hope that he can add a bit more power to his game, while also trusting their ability to mask some of his weaknesses.
| Grade: 66.8 | Round Grade: 5th |
3
Torricelli Simpkins
School: South Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 312 lbs
Strengths:
Simpkins has all the traits necessary to be a good player at the next level. He has a big frame and good length to win battles for leverage. There have been flashes where he anchored in pass protection, completely shutting down powerful rushers. Further, he has the athleticism to block on the move. The speed is there, as is the agility, which is ideal for when he is tasked with blocking in space. There have been instances where Simpkins completely bullied his opponent, showcasing the upside that he has to his game. His hand strikes have a lot of pop, and he is able to get a good amount of forward movement as a drive blocker in the run game. Simpkins has experience at both C and G.
Weaknesses:
The highs are high, but the lows are arguably lower. Simpkins will be entering the NFL needing a ton of work on his technique. His pad level is consistently elevated, which invites defenders to get a nice strike right into his chest. For a guy with so many traits working in his favour, the amount of quick losses was astonishing. He got beat cleanly by a variety of different moves too. A dip and rip was one of the most common ones. Push/pull as well. Rushers were often able to win the leverage battles, and inside counter moves worked like a charm. His footwork is sloppy, which sometimes leads to some balance issues. Simpkins will also need to improve his awareness, as stunts and blitzes can pass him by before he realises.
Summary:
I love the upside that Simpkins possesses. He has the size, length, strength, and athleticism to be a quality starter if he is able to put it all together. The problem is that his technique and mental game have so many issues, that it may take a while. He is a textbook developmental project. From his footwork to his ability to play with leverage, Simkins will need some time to shore up all of these things. At this time, there are too many quick losses for a coach to put a QB at risk by having him play meaningful snaps. He’ll be best suited on a team with good offensive line depth that has the luxury of taking their time with him. Down the line, they may be reaping the rewards. He is a boom or bust prospect. Could end up no better than a practice squadder, but his ceiling is a quality starter. Will be interesting to see where he gets drafted.
| Grade: 65.0 | Round Grade: 5th |
4
Clay Webb
School: Jacksonville State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 312 lbs
Strengths:
Webb has a decent enough blend of strength and athleticism to make it in the NFL. While he doesn’t usually overpower guys, he also doesn’t get pushed back very often. His hand placement is good, and he doesn’t let feisty rushers swat them out of the way. Webb is a functional athlete, showing the ability to execute basic pulls, as well as the ability to climb to the second level. When on the move, his mean streak comes to light, as he really tries to deliver a good shot to his opponent.
Weaknesses:
Webb is a solid all around guy, but doesn’t really stand out in any particular area. Athleticism is okay, but lateral movements are more challenging for him, and he can be hit or miss when more is required of him. In pass protection, he gets his pad level raised too high, surrendering leverage to his opponent. Average at best length also takes away from his ability to tilt leverage in his favour. Webb’s strength is enough to neutralize some opponents, but he doesn’t overpower them. As well, much of his competition was in the lower tier, and higher end NFL talent might be able to walk him backwards more often. Similarly, he generates minimal forward push in the run game when blocking in a phone booth, and may face further challenges at the NFL level.
Summary:
Webb projects as a depth iOL at the next level. While most of his traits meet baseline thresholds, he doesn’t stand out enough in any of them to produce confidence that he can be an effective starter. Perhaps if he can clean up some technical aspects, such as his pad level, and also get stronger, he might be able to end up challenging for a starting spot. But it is more likely he ends up as a depth guy. Given that he has a decently rounded skill set, this is enough for him to be good in this role, even if he doesn’t have any elite trait. It is likely that he plays C in the NFL, despite being a G in college, with poor length being one of the reasons for this. He held his own at the position during some of his Senior Bowl reps, and showing some versatility will further help his bid for a roster spot. Overall, he is a low ceiling guy, but has a high enough floor to potentially be a reliable depth option, who is also position versatile.
| Grade: 64.8 | Round Grade: 6th |
5
Seth McLaughlin
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 304 lbs
Strengths:
For the most part, McLaughlin is a technically sound player. His footwork is pretty clean, and he has good hand technique. It is not often that he overextends or lunges, limiting any freebee quick wins that rushers might be looking to take advantage of. He is a passable athlete for the position. McLaughlin, though not perfect, has some mirror ability, and does show to be capable of blocking in space.
Weaknesses:
McLaughlin is lacking when it comes to arm length, which leaves him vulnerable in some areas. The push/pull move and some inside counters have sometimes been enough to beat him. As well, his strength for the position is average at best. He has seal off strength for the run game, but creates minimal forward movement. In pass protection, he has more stalemates than wins, and has issues against true power. Further, rushers that enter with a running start and a head of steam seemed to be very troublesome for him. The strength to match their power just wasn’t there. McLaughlin is coming off a torn Achilles that he suffered this past season.
Summary:
McLaughlin is a solid all around prospect who plays with good technique. However, he doesn’t stand out as being elite in any one area. His athleticism is fine, but that doesn’t mean he is immune to quicker pass rushers. As well, he doesn’t play with the most natural power or pop. Getting stronger is something that should be on the to do list. Overall, McLaughlin is solid in enough areas to potentially become an average starter at some point, but his most likely projection is probably a good backup at C.
| Grade: 64.6 | Round Grade: 6th |
6
Drew Kendall
School: Boston College
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 308 lbs
Strengths:
Kendall is a pretty good athlete, showing the ability to move laterally as a blocker in space, while also possessing the speed to get into the secondary quickly, when needed. He slides well and can mirror nimble DT’s. Kendall has decent strength in his lower half, as shown by some of the forward push that he is able to generate as a run blocker.
Weaknesses:
Kendall has below average length, and often finds himself reaching and lunging when trying to land a block as a blocker in space. Even in pass protection, there are instances of lunging. His lack of length also opens the door for good DT’s to beat him with a variety of moves. Kendall doesn’t have enough strength to consistently anchor in pass protection. He is undersized, and got bullied on some reps. In his current state, it is tough to imagine him being able to handle bull rushes at the next level.
Summary:
Kendall has some upside thanks to his plus athleticism, and some parts of his technique that are good. He has the ability to block in space, and he may appeal to teams with a zone scheme. That being said, he lacks the strength to anchor in pass protection. At this point, it is more often that his opponent bullies him backwards. His poor length only adds to the issues. If Kendall can get stronger and become more functional in his ability to anchor, he has the chance to make it as a depth guy. But his tape was pretty inconsistent and suggests he will need some time. I’m not sure I see starter potential, but he can make it as a depth guy if some improvements are made. His athleticism is one trait that coaches will be looking to build on.
| Grade: 57.0 | Round Grade: 7th |
7
Eli Cox
School: Kentucky
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 306 lbs
Strengths:
Cox has a decent combination of athleticism and strength. He moves pretty well, which somewhat shows in pass protection, but more so in the run game. There is some good fluidity when he is able to get into space. He sets out to hit his target, and he has the ability to reroute his path and adjust on the fly. Flashes of anchoring ability have shown up on his tape, as well as some good drive blocks in the run game. Cox also brings versatility with him, having plenty of experience at both C and G.
Weaknesses:
Cox has decent strength, but short arms are largely responsible for his inability to play with leverage, which can negate a lot of the strength he has. There are many times where he is engaged in a block, and you can see it slipping away. He is inconsistent when it comes to sustaining them. Pass rushers were able to beat him several times with the push/pull technique, which is another way to take advantage of the length advantage that they would have over him. Instances of lunging and late hands also led to softer edges. Cox is entering the NFL as an overager, having played 6 seasons in college.
Summary:
Cox is a good enough athlete and has enough strength to make it as a backup at the next level. But thus far, his short arms have proven to be a difficult situation to overcome. He struggles to play with leverage, which hurts him in various different areas. Though he is not perfect, there are enough traits and positive elements to still be fine depth for a team. His C/G versatility is also something that will work in his favour as he competes for a spot.
| Grade: 56.7 | Round Grade: 7th |
8
Jonah Monheim
School: USC
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 302 lbs
Strengths:
Monheim has good lateral agility and functional speed. This allows him to mirror quick rushers in pass protection, and give some good snaps as a blocker in space in the run game. He effectively pulls across the line, and is able to seal up the edge. Overall, he plays the game with good technique. His footwork is sound, and his hand strikes are well timed and well positioned. Monheim has experience playing C, G, and OT.
Weaknesses:
Monheim’s arm length is significantly on the short side, even for a C, let alone an OT. This seemed to cause him issues on a consistent basis. In my exposures, he was frequently reaching to try to engage, but wasn’t always able to. Longer defensive linemen can keep him from latching on before tossing him aside as they go after the ball. His strength is also sub par. There were very few times where he was able to generate forward push as a run blocker, and he had just as much trouble anchoring in pass protection. He was pushed back easily and often.
Summary:
Monheim’s lack of length and lack of strength will put him in a tough spot entering the NFL. It will be a lot to overcome, and it seems like he will be fighting for a roster spot once he gets there. He’s got his athleticism going for him, which helps him in a few areas. As well, his experience playing C, G, and OT will appeal to teams, whether for the versatility or the IQ shown in being able to play each position. It is hard to get excited about his ceiling, and even his floor is questionable. He’ll need to be in the right system, where his athleticism is prioritized over power, and perhaps he can become a depth guy.
| Grade: 52.1 | Round Grade: UDFA |
9
Cooper Mays
School: Tennessee
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 310 lbs
Strengths:
Mays is a smooth athlete who operates with clean footwork in pass protection. He has the ability to mirror the rush attack of his opponent and cut off the rush edge before any penetration is created. Mays gets into the secondary with an abundance of speed, and he works hard to put himself in position to lead the ball carrier forward. When stunts or late blitzes are thrown his way, he has the awareness to pick up them.
Weaknesses:
Mays is lacking in the strength department, which has hindered him a lot. He struggles to get push in the run game. In fact, even when he is blocking in space and has gathered up some speed, there are times where he still manages to be the one who is overpowered. In pass protection, many of his best reps are stalemates. He doesn’t have the ability to consistently set a firm anchor. Mays also enters the NFL with an injury history.
Summary:
Mays stands out when he is blocking in space, as he is one of the smoothest offensive linemen in this draft. He also comes with an abundance of experience and clean technique. However, he currently does not have the mass, strength, or power to be relied on in meaningful snaps. It was really telling on some plays to see him going at a defender with a head of steam, and him being the one that was blown up. The athleticism and technique are things to build around, but he’ll need to add at least some semblance of power into his game in order to have a shot. He is a developmental prospect who might be able to compete for a higher spot on the depth chart at some point down the line. But he is not there right now, and a practice squad may be where he spends his early days.
| Grade: 51.9 | Round Grade: UDFA |
G Rankings:
- Donovan Jackson (87.4, Rd 1)
- Grey Zabel (84.9, Rd 2)
- Tyler Booker (82.1, Rd 2)
- Tate Ratledge (81.0, Rd 2)
- Jackson Slater (80.3, Rd 2)
- Wyatt Milum (74.8, Rd 4)
- Miles Frazier (73.3, Rd 4)
- Marcus Mbow (73.2, Rd 4)
- Jonah Savaiinaea (73.0, Rd 4)
- Caleb Rogers (69.8, Rd 5)
- Dylan Fairchild (67.6, Rd 5)
- Joshua Gray (65.1, Rd 5)
- Marcus Tate (64.1, Rd 6)
- Joe Huber (62.7, Rd 6)
- Xavier Truss (58.1, Rd 7)
- Garrett Dellinger (55.8, Rd 7)
- Hayden Conner (55.1, Rd 7)
- Sal Wormley (54.8, UDFA)
- Luke Kandra (54.7, UDFA)
C Rankings:
- Jared Wilson (70.2, Rd 4)
- Jake Majors (66.8, Rd 5)
- Torricelli Simpkins (65.0, Rd 5)
- Clay Webb (64.8, Rd 6)
- Seth McLaughlin (64.6, Rd 6)
- Drew Kendall (57.0, Rd 7)
- Eli Cox (56.7, Rd 7)
- Jonah Monheim (52.1, UDFA)
- Cooper Mays (51.9, UDFA)
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