2021 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS - OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Click on the names of the prospects below to see their draft profiles:
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 325lbs
PRO’S: Stupidly athletic for a player his size. Quick as lightning out of his stance and into his set. Determined to get in position before the rusher attacks the corner. Has a tall build but plays with excellent pad level, and with his plus length he makes life a nightmare for defenders trying to duck under as they round the corner. Plays with good fluidity, showcasing impressive change of direction speed and enough lateral mobility to shut off countries to the inside. Ultra strong; jolts rushers backwards and locks them out with brawny arms, and brings a controlled aggression to every rep. Dominant blocking downfield in the run game; just takes defensive linemen for a walk. Literally has games where he is uncontrollable. Only twenty and the upside for Sewell is off the charts.
CON’S: A little inconsistent with his technique, which is only to be expected for his age and lack of games - Sewell opted out of 2020 and comes with just twenty starts under his belt. Footwork is a bit hasty against the pass and can look ungainly - a lack of finesse in his movement. For a mauler you want to see a little more consistent pop in his first strike; he has the power in his upper half to truly bully defensive linemen. Body conditioning needs work - blatantly tires as the game goes on, and his leverage and motor suffer.
SIMON CARROLL: “For all the excitement surrounding Penei Sewell and his likely destiny as a top ten draft pick, there are plenty of areas in his game that can be cleaned up. But anyone mistaking that for a weakness isn’t thinking long term; Sewell is a day one NFL starter as is, has a high floor as a prospect based on his outstanding power and athleticism, and will only get better as coaches instill a little more nuance and discipline. With experience and maturity, Sewell’s elite run blocking will eventually be matched by his pass protection, with only hard work stopping him from reaching the top. The sky really is the limit for him.”
NFL COMPARISON: JAKE LONG
PROJECTION: TOP 5 PICK
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 315lbs
PRO’S: Phenomenally quick. So smooth across the turf and into his set; makes it look effortless Lateral movement when kick sliding round the arc is quick and crisp - footwork is so delicate for a man his size. Quick as mentally as he is physically and is alert and athletic enough to adjust to counters or inside moves. Ridiculously strong upper body with huge hands that, if he can get them inside. block the soul out of defensive linemen. Lower body torque to plant his feet and anchor down before driving those legs and moving bodies up front against the run. Helped take Northwestern to a new level and competed with the best teams and individual pass rushers and came out on top more often than not.
CON’S: Just his size. He’s slightly shorter and lighter than your average tackle, and whilst it hasn’t caused a play strength issue in college it may get exposed more at the next level. Length is disappointing, there’s no two ways about it; prospects with arms as short as his are routinely kicked inside to guard or center, something he hasn’t done at Northwestern but shouldn’t have a problem transitioning to. Opted out of 2020 season and has just two years of experience in the books, one on the blindside.
SIMON CARROLL: “Rashawn Slater is my favourite tackle in this class and he should be yours too. You see him on social media moving a parked car or chest squatting 500lbs, and he brings every bit of that core strength with him to the NFL. Don’t be fooled by the baby face; this man brings an intensity to the field that, coupled with his athleticism and power make him an extremely difficult customer for defensive linemen to deal with. His length is a legitimate concern, but when you see how well he handled Chase Young in 2019 I think he’s more than earned a shot on the outside first. Slater has a high ceiling but his floor is undefined, yet if the worst you’re getting is a multiple pro bowl guard then i think you’re happy dishing out a first round pick for him.”
NFL COMPARISON: JOE STALEY
PROJECTION: 1ST ROUND PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 319lbs
PRO’S: Absolutely huge. Strong and powerful in all aspects of the game, but utterly dominant as a run blocker. Initiates contact with good leverage and uses his lower body power to forklift defensive linemen away from running lanes. Digs his cleats into the ground against bull rushers and absorbs the heat - in a straight up power on power battle, Mayfield wins every time. Levels of athleticism for a 320lb dude are unreal - nobody that size should have feet this quick. Electric burst off the snap allows him to get deep into his set and re-establish the line of scrimmage. Quick into the second level when pulling and lead blocking, with a good nose for finding the right guy to block. Ability to mirror at speed makes it a long day for pass rushers looking to throw outside to inside moves at him.
CON’S: Raw. Only 15 starts at college, and as such has some cleaning up to do, mostly in pass pro. Hands are the biggest concern; he has adequate length yet goes reaching for the contact and plays over his toes, losing leverage. Hand placement is tardy and real focus on the numbers will help his protection immeasurably. Understanding of opponents’ motives and anticipation are still in development. Overeagerness to get deep can sometimes lead to poor angles and expose his hips to a pass rusher.
SIMON CARROLL: With a very small sample size of games to point to, Jalen Mayfield is something of a gamble for NFL teams in this draft. He came back for two games in 2020 and the improvement in his performances, particularly in the passing game, will allay some fears. The Big 10 is a baptism of fire for offensive linemen, particularly tackles who have to face a litany of elite pass rushers, and Mayfield learned quickly on the job. He needs some polish, but if he’s got this good this quick, just imagine how good he CAN be. For me he has the most upside out of any offensive lineman in this draft class. The floor as a prospect might be a bit shaky, but the ceiling - well, there isn’t one. He’s a first round pick who might see some time at guard as he continues to learn his craft.”
NFL COMPARISON: MEKHI BECTON
PROJECTION: 1ST ROUND PICK.
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 314lbs
PRO’S: Ascending offensive tackle that secured a starting spot at left tackle as a freshman in Blacksburg and has gotten better and better each year since. Athleticism jumps off the tape; into his set early and ready for the pass rush. smooth, quick kickstep around the arc with excellent lateral movement to get out to points and intercede the widest of edge rushers. Capable of altering course at speed to counteract double moves. Impressive upper body strength, and if he lands his hands on those pads cleanly he’s going to lock you out. Good length that helps him win the hand-fighting contest early in a rep. Shows good composure and body control. Dominant at the point of contact in the run game, moving defensive linemen and opening up lanes for the running back.
CON’S: Isn’t particularly intimidating. Feels like he brings a lack of aggression to his game, which coupled with his athleticism, size and technique would allow him to truly dominate opponents. Gets a bit tardy on some reps; you see an inconsistent motor and some sloppiness with hand placement, which can compromise his otherwise good balance and leverage. Feels like he could add even more power to his game. Has a habit of opening up his hips and softening the edges for a speed rusher to attack.
SIMON CARROLL: “PFF stats say Christian Darrisaw didn’t allow one hand to touch his quarterback in 2020, on 293 snaps. A quick reminder that in the ACC he faced Jaelan Phillips, Quincy Roche, Carlos Basham and Patrick Jones last year. The scary thing about that is he’s still getting better and has room to improve. His impeccable footwork, god-given size and feel for pass rush moves make him a standout prospect, and if he finds a mean streak from somewhere he will routinely bully defensive linemen and impose his will in both the pass and run game. I think a zone running scheme where he can use his speed and length to widen lanes would be an ideal fit, but he’s going to be a pro bowl level tackle wherever he lands in the NFL.”
NFL COMPARISON: JAKE MATTHEWS
PROJECTION: 1ST ROUND PICK
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 300lbs
PRO’S: Extremely intelligent footballer, who is aware of potential threats to the football before he gets down in his stance on every play. Elite instincts; Vera-Tucker can sniff out a stunt from a mile away, and couples his anticipation with speed to beat the rusher into his set and dictate the play. Totally dialled in, and rarely lets a rusher slip by him with a counter or a double move. Effective moving defensive linemen away from where they want to be; stout frame despite lack of mass with excellent hand timing and technique allow him to be effective downblocking and getting to the second level in the run game, and cope with the bigger, stronger pass rushers when lined up outside. Positionally versatile after playing two years at guard before kicking out to the blind side in 2020.
CON’S: Somewhat lightweight, even those his physique, to look at, is quite deceptive. Lower body strength not quite up there with his top half, and can be caught off balance by bigger linemen or stacked by powerful nose tackles. Lower half technique compromised by urgency to get into position, with footwork sometimes inconsistent and leverage given up with erratic pad level, despite low cut frame. Arm length a primary concern, and many NFL scouts will consider him an interior guy only.
SIMON CARROLL: “No offensive lineman in this draft class brings the same mixture of football IQ, high levels of athleticism and competitive play strength like AVT does, and that’s what makes him so versatile and valuable to an offense. Can he get stronger, more thick and powerful in his legs? Without doubt - to me that just raises the ceiling of what this kid can be. The biggest knock is his length, which I don’t think is that far shy of the NFL norm, but it’s a narrative that has legs and some teams will have him solely as an IOL on their draft boards. I suggest they watch the tape and see just how good, if not better Vera-Tucker was in 2020 when deployed as a left tackle. The opposite to Rashawn Slater, he might begin life inside before getting a crack at the blindside year two or three.”
NFL COMPARISON: ISAIAH WYNN
PROJECTION: 1ST ROUND PICK
Height: 6’6”. Weight: 305lbs
PRO’S: Well-polished tackle with plenty of experience; 38 starts in three years on a line with some serious talent. A bulky frame despite the lack of weight, with a low center of gravity that serves him well, particularly in the run game. Barrels into opponents in the run game, using his good length to manipulate them away from the action. Vice-like grip when he gets his hands on target, and defensive linemen have serious trouble trying to get off his blocks. Demonstrates good fluidity to mirror and react to pass rush moves, and choppy feet to keep resetting balance on each punch. Hasn’t allowed a single sack in the last two years, with games against some big teams like Alabama, Clemson, Michigan and Georgia in that timespan.
CON’S: Graceful across the turf but not quick; needs to maximise angles and footwork to get into his sets at the desired depth. Success on the blindside is seriously going to be tested by wider aligned speed rushers. Not particularly aggressive - hands need to get more venom when engaging in pass pro, and you want to see better pop in his repeated jabs. He has good length but plays like he doesn’t, and often uses the two-handed punch, something which edge rushers feast on at the NFL level. Hand placement is also a concern, his arms visibly drop as contests wear on.
SIMON CARROLL: “Liam Eichenberg might not have the upside of some of the other prospects in this talented tackle class, but he’s as pro-ready as any of them. Dominant against the run, his pass protection stands to improve with greater dedication to his upper half technique, but even as it stands it’s good enough to stand up to the rigours of the NFL. He may have the best set of hands out of any offensive lineman his year. A true team-first guy who takes care of business and leads by example, he’ll be a day one left tackle in any scheme - although finding a home in a run heavy offense would play to his strengths. In any other year Eichenberg would hear his name called early on day one.”
NFL COMPARISON: KOLTON MILLER
PROJECTION: 1ST ROUND PICK
Height: 6’6”. Weight: 315lbs
PRO’S: Physically imposing, intimidating lineman who behaves like a playground bully and has the strength to back it up. Ultra aggressive on every snap; plays with a determination to crush the spirit of his opponent. Competitive and goes close to the edge, maintaining blocks far after the whistle and trash talking from the first minute to the last. Strong arms and frantic hands set the scene on the rep; he relishes the point of engagement and intends to have his presence felt early. Savvy blocker who, after 37 starts in Stillwater, has seen everything a defense can throw at him and he’s ready for it. Excellent positioning when getting downfield to the second level, with good instincts and feel to know where his running back is headed.
CON’S: Lower body power is adequate, but doesn’t match his top half or have the same strength his aggression suggests. Natural pad height and eagerness to get to the engagement point give him some leverage issues and defenders can get under those arms and slide on by. Unconcerned about drawing flags; sometimes it feels he considers it collateral damage in order to mentally subdue a defensive lineman. Step speed can get him into trouble when his brain and desire are working quicker than his feet can. Benefitted from facing less aggressive defenses who would play heavy deep coverages against the Pokes’ air raid attack, frequently sending the minimum men after the quarterback.
SIMON CARROLL: If you like your offensive linemen a little nasty then Tevin Jenkins is going to make you smile. He’s only happy if an opponent is unhappy, and he’ll spend all day trying to make sure that’s the case. Be careful not to assume that’s all he brings to the table though - he’s a power-based tackle accomplished in both run blocking and pass protection, and has played at numerous spots on the offensive line. Slightly older and with questions about his short-area quickness, I’d argue his ideal position would be at right tackle in a power blocking scheme, with some creative move blocking thrown in to keep him alert and excited.”
NFL COMPARISON: JON RUNYAN (SR.)
PROJECTION: 1ST ROUND PICK
Height: 6’7”. Weight: 300lbs
PRO’S: Highly athletic offensive linemen who, once established in the Texas lineup, never looked back. Dominated at right tackle in 2018 and looked even better on the blind side the last two years; PFF credited him with a 90.0 pass blocking grade his final year in Austin. Nimble footwork and a smooth set protecting the pass - very comfortable moving in space and shows a good patience and timing waiting for engagement. Tall and lean but demonstrates (for the most part) excellent knee bend and pad level, keeping him competitive in the leverage battle. Functional core strength got better each year at Texas, showcased with improved hand power and a better anchor when run blocking. Super long arms help him stay off blocks and keep edge rushers at bay. Delights in opening his legs and getting into the second level for a spot of downblocking.
CON’S: A little bit predictable; seems to work through a mental routine on every rep and experienced pass rushers with some juice can show a little misdirection and beat him. Only questionable aspect of athleticism is his burst - he seems to be a tick slow off the line and relies on his speed to get him where he needs to be. Adequate run defender but doesn’t possess the mean streak you want to impose himself on an opponent. Despite the improvement, work on core strength still needs to get better; he’s tall and lean and that makes him a target to be bullied by stouter opponents.
SIMON CARROLL: “Considering he was just a three star recruit with initial interest from just Memphis and Houston, Samuel Cosmi’s development has been impressive. He’s a late bloomer and still has some way to go to reach his ceiling - perhaps his physical development being the most obvious area of growth. A calm demeanour on the field, Cosmi plays with a level of composure that instills confidence, but sometimes you just want him to be a bit more of an asshole. He’s an immediate starting right tackle who with good coaching should become a top caliber linemen in the NFL. Finding a zone-blocking scheme where his smooth lateral movement will shine in both the running and passing game would be ideal. Like Liam Eichenberg, Cosmi’s draft range is affected by the sheer number of high-grade tackles in this class and he might have to wait until day two to come off the board.”
NFL COMPARISON: NATE SOLDER
PROJECTION: LATE 1ST/EARLY 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 304 lbs.
PRO’S: The Bison have had a strong recent run of developing quarterbacks but have quietly also put several solid offensive linemen into the league. While the likes of Billy Turner and Joe Haeg have become steady contributors, Dillon Radunz has the potential to be a high-level starter. One of several small school prospects in attendance, Radunz had an inconsistent start to Senior Bowl week. He quickly adapted however, and showcased his appealing skill set, complimenting his outstanding NDSU game film.
Radunz appears on film to be of modest tackle size at best. His measurements were always set to be among the more interesting to watch for. While he indeed is not the biggest for the position, he will have hit some basic thresholds for at least some teams. Over 6’5”, a shade over 300 lbs, and scraping above 33” arm length. Nothing to get overly excited for but not prohibitive for playing outside. Ultimately, he could still be a better fit inside, dependant on team and scheme fit. He has legitimate potential to start at any of the five O-line positions. Either way, there is a lot to like about the projectable floor for Radunz as a pro.
The small school standout finished his Bison career with 32 straight starts at left tackle. He impresses with his technical proficiency and the consistency with which he applies it snap-to-snap. Radunz plays with good form, pad level, a stout base, plus footwork and hand placement. He can continue to add strength but makes himself more challenging to move through the foundation he sets, stacking that with fantastic aggression and motor.
He continually maximized his skill set and dominated the FCS level in both pass pro and run blocking. Radunz was rarely beaten in the former and nasty in the latter, often driving defenders out of frame. He controls the point of attack and finishes to the floor as necessary. His sharp footwork includes efficient changes of direction and overall mirror ability. Added to excellent control and balance, he routinely makes it difficult to disengage once establishing his block. His high IQ, awareness and anticipation are frequently on show in his blitz pickups and reactions to counters. Combination blocks on the second level contributed to the ground success of the Bison.
CON’S: Though spinning the positives of his measurements above, the frame and length still could mark him down slightly for some teams. While dominating at the FCS level for NDSU, Radunz has sufficient but maybe not top-end core strength. He certainly compensates with his form and leverage, alongside the battling qualities in the trenches.
He could be an interior lineman only on some boards. If so, his nice athletic traits, energy and commitment will excel in certain systems and could thrive as a pulling guard. Though most of the time his hands are on point, he is not infallible to misses that can leave him on the back foot. At the very least it’s an area to continue to work on to be even more dependable.
REBECCA RENNIE: “Radunz has split opinions amongst draft fans and media since the summer. The stance of those with concerns is understandable. The opinion here is a highly positive one, however. His instinctive, smart play stands out, as does his smooth movement, control, balance and technique. His best fit may be debatable but should become a plus starter somewhere on the line.”
PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight:312lbs
PRO’S: Prototypical size and length for an NFL offensive tackle. Decent athletic ability; shows good cohesive movement out into his set, with a graceful and co-ordinated kick slide that doesn’t leave him flat-footed against opponents. Leatherwood can also get out in front and block in space on screen plays and downblocks at the second level in the run game. Good hands; employs accurate placement and timing and upper body strength is an asset he is keen to use. Impressive powers of recovery when beaten early on a rep by resetting his feet and finding his rhythm. Positionally versatile - started out at right ruard in 2018 before moving to left tackle for his final two years in Tuscaloosa.
CON’S: I want to see more aggression and play strength from Leatherwood. He’s not a liability in run defense but he could be so much more. Burst out of his snap is nothing more than okay, and there’s an all round feel of hard work in his upper half from the snap of the ball to the second he lands his hands. Athleticism is acceptable but his hips are a little stiff and spontaneous, clever pass rushers can get them exposed and soften the edge. outside to inside stunts can catch him off guard - double moves in general are problematic as it seems it takes every ounce of speed he has to cover the first attack. Fails to play with true extension in pass pro and gives edge rushers hope rather than the feeling of helplessness.
SIMON CARROLL: “As with most Alabama prospects, Alex Leatherwood is a reliable asset to the team who has been excellently coached and has maximised his skillset. Despite not having any one particular trait to hang your hat on he brings a polished all-round game that, at the collegiate level, you can trust. But in the NFL things are going to be much harder for him. The toughest guys he faced at Alabama become the bread and butter at the next level, and his athletic and strength limitations may be exposed. He’s played guard before and I know a lot of people are projecting a switch back to the interior, but his functional strength and lack of aggressiveness scare me. I think he’s a right tackle first, and if that fails then he moves inside. He’ll go early as most Bama linemen do, and enjoy a lengthy career, but he’s a notch below the elite bracket in this group.”
NFL COMPARISON: DJ FLUKER
PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight:345lbs
PRO’S: A monster of a man - looks like a nose tackle playing on the wrong side of the football. A true road-grader in the run game - shoots uphill and takes anything in his wingspan with him. Sheer power is overwhelming for most defensive linemen, and when he uses his good length to hit pads and lock out, the play is over. Able to down his anchor and absorb bull rushers comfortably. Excellent athletic profile for a man of nearly 350lbs allows him to be competitive getting into his sets and maintaining good positioning versus his opponent. Highly intelligent football player with good internal clock and plays the scenario well - understands when the ball is coming out and where it needs to get to, and adjusts his blocking to best facilitate it.
CON’S: Only so much athleticism a frame like this can possess, and elite speed rushers will test him in the NFL. This may have teams viewing him strictly as an interior lineman, something he never did at Clemson but there’s nothing to suggest he cannot make the transition. Feet can get a little tangled in his haste to get to the meet point first. Feels a little antsy without a set of pads to pummel immediately, and can end up lunging at defensive linemen, compromising his balance and leverage. Can get over competitive and has some silly flags on film. Will weight be an issue in the NFL? Guys entering the league already this size struggle with size discipline and often have strict food regimes to keep themselves in shape.
SIMON CARROLL: Jackson Carman doesn’t appear much fun to line up opposite on a football field. He’s aggression and power and nastiness rolled into one, with the mental processing and football smarts to keep it all disciplined. A healthy body of work at Clemson, he has 27 starts at left tackle since 2018 and has seen it all before. Questions about his speed seem reasonable but you don’t get to blindside protect the greatest college QB of the last decade if you’re a liability in pass pro. This of course will be tested to new extremes in the NFL, and ultimately his size and run blocking prowess make it very easy to assume he will get kicked inside at the next level. If you consider him a guard with potential future tackle upside, then he should hear his name called on day two.”
NFL COMPARISON: RICHIE INCOGNITO
PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’8”. Weight: 314 lbs.
PRO’S: Brown stands out for his desirable frame. In addition to being 6’8”, he measures in with a wingspan to match, big hands and 34” arms. He has succeeded in putting weight onto his frame during his time in college. Likely factoring into to his lesser recruitment, Brown was a 230 lb tight end and defensive lineman out of high school. Northern Iowa saw the potential to develop as an offensive lineman. Brown redshirted in 2016 as he learned his new position and worked on his frame. His play time increased from 2017 through to his full-time starting role at right tackle in 2019.
Length is an obvious advantage that Brown makes use of to win. However, it is encouraging that he is not solely reliant on it. Taking good initiative out of his stance, he is aggressive in delivering an impactful initial punch. There are more agile and explosive tackle prospects, but Brown shows sufficient baseline athleticism, aided by active and nimble feet. In most instances, the Northern Iowa lineman utilizes his kick slide width to keep in phase with outside rushes. When required, late extension as rushers corner can create enough angle and distance to buy his QB additional release time.
The Panthers prospect could do so more consistently but generally shows effective form. He keeps his pad level low enough to absorb attacks into the body and maintain his balance. Brown is capable of creating movement when driving in the run game. He runs his feet through contact and shows enough power in straight-line situations at the FCS level. Still developing at tackle, he has potential to continue to add strength as a pro.
Reiterating the above, Brown may show flaws and is unquestionably raw but the trajectory is pointing upwards. Over the brief time period of the Senior Bowl, the gradual improvements over the week are indicative of his abilities to work hard, learn and take coaching. The strides he made were evident and surely increased his stock as a result.
CON’S: As suggested, for all the good flashes, Brown has some ways to go. Inconsistency is applicable throughout his play and execution. He remains vulnerable to giving up quick pressures in pass protection and missing opportunities and assignments as a run blocker. He has generally been able to compensate through his size and length at the FCS level but faces a steep learning curve. Given how high he’s projected to be drafted, he might be expected to contribute early but could need some time.
While able to use his stride length and solid footwork to track pass rushers outside, he shows vulnerability to counters and inside moves. Though generally holding up at the point of attack he has his moments of being worked in the opening exchanges and being subverted through those mid-rush counters and switch-ups. When knocked back as a result, he can struggle to recover and reset.
The technique is decent considering his relative rawness. However, he is prone to raising his already naturally high pad level. Hand placement and punch fall under the inconsistency umbrella. Too often he will miss with his hands and lunge in attempts to search out contact. The upper body technique issues can leave him inconsistent in sustaining blocks. He can slip off a defender’s frame and can allow rushers to cross his face as they work into the backfield. His mental game is improving but can appear a little lost at times if left searching out blocks in space, including on broken plays.
REBECCA RENNIE: “Though far from a finished product, it is very obvious that Brown offers a high ceiling. Given the variance between the good but raw and inconsistent film with the potential he could reach, it’s no surprise that he will grade high with many and more conservatively with others. Neither stance is unreasonable. Brown has all the tools to be a starting pro tackle but is not without risk.”
PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 294lbs
PRO’S: Arms that nearly touch the floor. Smith is LONG, and can maintain distance from opponents with ease. Plenty of length allows him to find the pads accurately and latch on against the run or keep striking against the pass.. Ultra -athletic; he was a multi-sport student at high school and it shows. Has the quick burst and all the foot speed necessary to get into his set at the required vertical distance before contact engagement. Excellent fluidity and can mirror a pass rushers move with a healthy degree of composure. A former wrestler, Smith is not scared to get into battle and impose himself aggressively - his non-stop motor shows good conditioning and a high level of competitive toughness to be a problem all game. A pure blindside protector - had almost 2,000 snaps at left tackle during his time in Greenville. Had an excellent week at the Senior Bowl down in Mobile.
CON’S: Lanky and lean. Lower body strength issues - simply doesn’t have enough sand in his pants to hold a stout anchor. High cut and little knee bend means that he is tall , and he plays tall too - pad level is a problem and without the required lower body torque he gives ground too often. Shows a lack of patience waiting for contact, and plays over his toes. reaches for contact when his length suggests he has zero need to, and savvy pass rushers have him on the ground and are in behind him. Looking for more aggression and pop from those hands in his first strike. Grip strength lets him down on occasion and he can be discarded too easily by guys with much worse measurements than he has.
SIMON CARROLL: “D’Ante Smith is a raw prospect that has a fair amount of areas to address in order to maximise his potential. He needs to get more mass on that frame without question; and I think it should withstand more bulk without compromising his quicks. Some dedicating coaching to his technique, particularly at the point of contact, will help him get the most out of those ridiculously long arms. His competitiveness and aggression just isn’t currently matched by his power which I wasn’t expecting considering he was a high school wrestler. Despite all of that, Smith has a high ceiling - he’s a prototypical left tackle that has the measurements NFL teams crave to protect the blindisde, and the rest is very much able to be developed. You don’t want him anywhere near your starting lineup as a rookie, but if he can get stronger he has the long term projection of a starter at the next level. I think he sneaks into day two.”
NFL COMPARISON: JOSH JONES
PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’7”. Weight: 309lbs
PRO’S: Tall, lean lineman who showcases elite athleticism for the position. Possesses the lateral movement of a free safety; excellent burst out of his stance and smoothly into his set. Co-ordinated and graceful kick slide with nimble footwork, and will mirror edge rushers all the way round the arc and beyond the quarterback. Has the speed to counter counters, and shows good recovery quickness when caught out early. Arms are a big asset to his game; maybe just average length but plays with excellent extension and is able to dictate terms upon engagement and maintain blocks pretty comfortably throughout the rep. Innate understanding for positioning; recognises defenses intentions and understands how best to allow his team to get the required down and distance against those intentions.
CON’S: A total projection at this point. Little Has only played 72 snaps of football in the last two years after tearing his ACL in the 2019 season opener against Northwestern. He subsequently opted out of the 2020 season and began preparing for the NFL Draft. Understanding the development of Little’s game since he was a sophomore is extremely challenging; the one game in 2019 showed an apparent improvement in core strength - an area of concern - but knowing if that was an advantageous matchup or would continue over the course of the season is difficult. Height and high cut waist makes pad level a natural issue, and he has tape where he’s reaching and playing over his toes. More power in the upper half of his frame would allow him to match his competitive aggression with the physical tools to displace at will.
SIMON CARROLL: “A challenging eval, the way I look at Walker Little is pragmatic; despite having many traits that suggest he is a starting NFL left tackle, the lack of film precludes you from taking him in the first round - it’s just too much risk. What it does mean is that there’s a good chance that some team is getting an absolute steal in this draft. Little will have to have his knee checked out by every interested team, and even then there were still things to improve on back in 2018. The question is has he done that, and how can he PROVE that he has done that? You can’t be all in on him and assume he’s the answer to your offensive line needs, but someone on day two is going to roll the dice and hope they don’t come up snake eyes.”
NFL COMPARISON: JARED VELDHEER
PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 302lbs
PRO’S: Athletically gifted. Moves a 300lb torso around the field like he’s light as a feather. Speed out of the snap will catch even the fastest defensive linemen off guard, and little in the way of wasted steps allow him to reach landmarks before the attack comes. LOVES to block, and maintains it until the play is over. Excited to open his legs, get upfield and look for downblocks, and can move when it comes to pulling and getting out in front of screen passes. Hands are pretty strong but very urgent on contact, and he continues to reload and punch with the same venom. Like his smarts in the run game; has a nose for angles and can seal block for outside runs as good as any lineman in this class. Had a very impressive showing during Senior Bowl week.
CON’S: Disjointed and limited collegiate career. Left high school as a defensive tackle, and committed to Michigan. Played just one game in Ann Arbor before entering the transfer portal. Hudson suffered from depression at this time. Found a new home in Cincinnati but NCAA restrictions meant he had to sit out a year, something he says both helped and tested his mental health. After one year starting for the Bearcats he declared for the NFL Draft. As you would expect, there are significant issues with his fundamentals and technique; Pad level, body balance, depth of set, hand timing and placement all erratic. Needs to work on his recognition of being ‘set up’ for double moves, and find answers to all the moves an edge rusher will throw his way.
SIMON CARROLL: “The demand for athleticism is such that a young man - who twelve games ago - was playing a completely different position, is now a likely top 100 pick in the NFL. James Hudson has showcased the athletic traits of an elite left tackle, and there have been flashes of recognition, of understanding of the role, to give you the impression the rest will come with time. If he had played there all his life and had forty games of college football under his belt he’d be an underachiever, but some aspects of this position come with experience, and Hudson doesn’t have much of that. So you draft him, get him in the weight room and the film room, and you coach him up. Then come back in a year’s time and plug him in as your starting left tackle and watch him sink or swim. My money is on the latter.”
NFL COMPARISON: WALTER JONES
PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’8”. Weight: 308lbs
PRO’S: A tall guy who can move. Ball has impressive quickness out of his snap and fluid into his set. Elite range for an offensive lineman, particularly one his size - can reach every landmark needed and shows good speed from the backside of a play to get involved. Excellent length and looks ideal to play on the outside in the NFL. Excellent anchor for a tall, lean tackle; can hunker down, dig his cleats in and stop the bullrush dead. Knee bender who gets remarkably low for as tall as he is, and brings excellent weight distribution and balance to the point of contact. Shows a competitive demeanour, particularly in the run game when tasked with getting to the second level.
CON’S: Significant character concerns. Ball first enrolled and played for Florida State before he was kicked off the team for ‘dating violence’ - a toned down term for domestic violence. Ball allegedly attacked his partner four times and had a litany of other incidents whilst on campus in Tallahassee. He found his way to Marshall via JuCo, and has avoided trouble off the field since. On the field, Ball was ejected in Marshall’s C-USA Championship Game following two personal fouls and had to be escorted off the field by an official. Ball has a history of concussions going back to his time at FSU. On the field, Ball can get a bit predictable and can be manipulated into ‘oversetting’ and exposing his inside hip to attack.Upper body strength looks like it could add more muscle mass.
SIMON CARROLL: “Josh Ball has a rather unsavoury history, and it is up to NFL teams to decide whether or not his talent justifies a selection on a character with a questionable moral compass. Some teams will have him off their board already, particularly in this era where so much is being done in the league and beyond to help women feel safe in society. But we also know that some teams will take a chance, and with the talent level that Ball possesses, they’ll get good value for him. His size, speed and length are unquestionable, and he adds good technique and physicality to be a starting left tackle at the next level. If he was as clean off the field as he is on it, Ball would be a first round selection. He’ll pay the price for his actions but if he is still on the board on day three i’d be shocked.”
NFL COMPARISON: TAYLOR LEWAN
PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’6”. Weight: 300lbs
PRO’S: Powerful upper body with huge hands that are impossible to dislodge once he has them on you. Defenders who show him their numbers are cannon fodder, and he doesn’t mind staying engaged a touch longer than he should. Extremely tough with a competitive nature - has an edge about him. An absolute technician; glides into his set and demonstrates a clean and efficient kick-slide to maintain security of the pocket. Shows patience and allows the contact to come to him before timing his first strike perfectly and with good accuracy. Equally as proficient as a pass protector and as a run blocker. Has some excellent moments on tape getting out into space and acting as a lead blocker.
CON’S: Slightly short arms, and has used technique and full extension to mask this. Skinny bottom half of his frame; is quite lean and doesn’t have a particularly stout anchor, although this is mitigated by his timing and sheer will to win at BYU. High cut and plays as tall as he is - needs to keep those pads down to improve leverage at the point of contact. Smarts have hidden athleticism issues, with fluidity in transition and ability to change direction the biggest concerns. Question marks about the caliber of his opponent and whether his dominance was a false representation of his true ability. At 23 he’s an older prospect - will his frame develop any further and add that extra mass to improve core strength?
SIMON CARROLL: “After heading on a mission with the Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand for two years, Brady Christensen was a man amongst boys when he finally stepped on a football field in Provo. Say what you want about the cupcake schedules BYU have had in his time there, but the performances have been consistently dominant and that is difficult to achieve at any FBS team. Physically subpar, there’s little to suggest he can get bigger, and his athleticism is less than desirable, capping his ceiling as an NFL player. But he’s played a hell of a lot of football to a high level and that counts for something. I think he’s a backup right tackle who could be tried on the interior to find him some playing time.”
NFL COMPARISON: RODGER SAFFOLD
PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’3”. Weight: 305lbs
PRO’S: Stout, thick lineman who has a strong anchor and is nigh on impossible for bull rushers to knock off his spot. Has good knee bend and leg drive as he powers through first contact and commands the rep. Strong upper body too; Hands are so powerful he can take his opponent’s breath away as he strikes their pads, and has the grip strength to latch on and bully defensive linemen away from the football. Devastating run blocker who can create lanes at will. Shows good football smarts; able to take advantage of defenses 'selling out’ against the Bulls’ potent rushing attack, and has the ability to mentally reset during a play when he knows he’s being beat. Thrived as a zone blocker and showcased some nice lateral movement flowing with the play. Played both tackle and guard at a high level in Buffalo.
CON’S: despite fairly extensive experience he sometimes plays like a rookie; ill-disciplined hand technique and footwork lead to accuracy issues and tardiness getting into his sets. Poor pad level and knee bend consistency makes him play tall and at a leverage disadvantage with his opponent. Subpar athleticism and agility; can scrape well but stiff hips cause short area movement to be sluggish, exposing himself to rush combos. Awkward kick-slide in pass protection and hasn’t married his hands and feet in sync as of yet. Dominated in the MAC but only played one Power 5 team in his three years as a starter - against Penn State in 2019. He predictably struggled and there will likely be a learning curve at the next level.
SIMON CARROLL: “Jarret Paterson may have got all the plaudits for Buffalo’s fearsome rushing attack in 2020 and rightly so, but people shouldn’t sleep on Kayode Awosika and the skillset he can offer in the NFL. Built like a building with solid foundations, he’s a problem for defensive linemen to move, and he’s shown enough savvy in pass pro to not be a liability on the outside either. An intelligent and dedicated prospect, Awosika stands to get better quickly as he cleans up some technique issues. My only concern would be how he copes with elite competition on a regular basis, particularly at the outset of his pro career. A move back inside might be advised, certainly at first, but there’s no doubt in my mind that with a bit of polish Awosika has starter ability.”
NFL COMPARISON: MATT FEILER
PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 302lbs
PRO’S: Workhorse linemen who will battle through the whole rep on every rep. Effort levels are such that he refuses to give in and won battles that, based on leverage, he had no right to. Will find work if the play flows away from him, and is ready to crash the party if the ball carrier cuts to the backside. Wealth of experience after playing in 47 contests for the Fighting Irish, and has seen everything a defense can throw at you. Has good length and uses refined technique to maximise its effectiveness; Hainsey shows excellent timing of first strike to take control of the play. Technique and fundamentals are his calling card; he takes excellent angles to landmarks when out in space, has clean feet and plays with good balance and pad level. Plays with a level of aggression that outweighs his actual power & strength. A team leader who leads by example.
CON’S: Measurables and athletic testing will not hit accepted NFL standards. Maximum effort playstyle masked a significant deficiency in lower body torque; Hainsey has a slender lower frame that doesn’t possess enough anchor to take on big linemen and win. Struggles to keep his legs churning and maintaining ground in the run game is tough, let alone gaining it. Athleticism, particularly short-area agility, is poor. Getting to full speed is sluggish and then hitting the brea and changing direction is elongated, exposing himself to inside moves. Sees the danger before he can get into a position to stop it, and will forego his technique and timing in a desperate attempt to hinder the rush in any way he can.
SIMON CARROLL: “Coaches will pound the table for a prospect like Robert Hainsey. He’s a guy who will give everything to the cause, and for the most part be very reliable in doing just that. You cannot help but admire his approach to the sport and what he has achieved on the football field. But scouts will note that there is very little upside to what he offers. Hainsey has maxed out the things that coaches can instil and teach. But you can’t teach speed and agility, and that is something that he is lacking. He has played both inside and outside in South Bend and I think that will give him the opportunity to carve out a nice career as a versatile backup, but anything other than starting in a pinch might be asking too much for consistent results.”
NFL COMPARISON: GABE JACKSON
PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’8”. Weight: 326lbs
PRO’S: Huge, powerful dude. Physically dominant at the line of scrimmage and imposes his will onto defensive linemen. Bags of upper body strength that, coupled with his long arms, allow him to find an opponent's pads and move him somewhere he doesn’t want to be. Strong first punch can that shocks and displaces edge rushers, and Doyle backs it up with good power in follow up jabs. Flashes lower body strength to dictate terms run blocking, and keeps his legs churning through contact whilst downblocking. Looks prepared in every game I watched (Marshall ‘18, Ball State ‘19, Cincinnati ‘19), understands an opponents’ tendencies, and showcased god play recognition on the field.
CON’S: Like his ability to block vertically, but lateral movement is a bit more tricky at his size. Feet can’t quite move as quickly as he wants them to, and often his body gets there first, meaning he leans into contact and loses the balance and leverage. This lack of quickness can be seen when encountering counter moves to his inside; once he’s moving, it’s an effort to stop and go the opposite direction. Because of this he needs to be more devoted to sealing the inside and use his length to full extension to still protect the edge. Loses some of the effectiveness of his hand power by missing the numbers of his opponent - they dropped low on a few snaps in all three games I watched.
SIMON CARROLL: “Watching Tommy Doyle’s tape is fun! He towers over anyone else on the football field and has fair movement out of his stance. Pulling and sealing blocks in the run game is natural for him, and he looks the part kick-sliding around the arc too. Question marks over the level of competition he faced in the MAC will come, but he performed to a high level against Cincinnati in 2019. I don’t think he’s even close to being as good as he can be; there’s room for more muscle mass and a better anchor on his huge frame, and some fundamentals to clean up. There’ll probably be an adjustment period to the standards set in the NFL, but as a day three pick the value is worth the time to develop. He has the tools to eventually start at the next level.”
PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 306lbs
PRO’S: Multi-positional offensive linemen with the desired athleticism and weight to be moved around the line. Got some quickness out of his stance, with dancing feet that get him to his set point quickly. Plays on his toes and shows good reaction speed to counter defensive line moves. Plus length and plays with good extension, maintaining blocks throughout the rep. Aggressive hands deliver a potent first punch, and demonstrates consistent hand accuracy. Enjoys run blocking, particularly when pulling and getting out to the second level. Good body control and utilises a disciplined stance to embrace impact and help his anchor.
CON’S: Play strength is the primary weakness in his game. Skinny lower half and struggles to hold his ground against bull rushers. Sometimes his stance can get too wide to try and accommodate his lack of power, and it makes him vulnerable to counters to his inside as he has reduced knee bend to change direction. Ends up on the floor sometimes because of this compromise in form. Not particularly a body mover at the point of contact and is easily stacked by defensive linemen despite his length. The step up in competition at the NFL is severely going to test his core strength, and perhaps adding some muscle mass to his frame would be advised.
SIMON CARROLL: “Newman’s tape was a pleasant surprise. His growth from 2019 when he first became a starter at guard, to last year where he moved out to right tackle, was impressive. His athleticism is only just better than average but when you add to that his positioning, footwork and general balance he feels quick, and he’s rarely beaten to his post. The lack of torque was a disappointment considering he showed more proficiency as a run defender than a pass protector early in his Ole Miss career, and you wouldn’t consider him a road grader. But a move back inside is likely how he sees the football field at the next level. Get him in as a backup, get him in the gym and he could develop into a starter somewhere down the line.”
PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’6”. Weight: 300lbs
PRO’S: Understated quickness. Jumps out of his stance briskly and shows good movement to get to his landmark and into his set. Quick feet is how he does it - short, sharp steps that help him keep position round the arc but also to dance with rushers trying to sneak inside - smooth hips help him mirror and account for any stunts or combo moves. Likes to mix things up himself, using alternate arms to jab his opponent as he falls round the pocket. Plays in control of his body with good composure and timing to engage contact. Healthy technique and plays with excellent leverage. All in all, an accomplished left tackle who has held down the blindside for the Cornhuskers since his sophomore year. Showed some versatility at the Senior Bowl, lining up at guard.
CON’S: Looked more powerful at the Senior Bowl but tape still suggests a lack of core strength. Very similar body shape to Brady Christensen, with skinny lower half that doesn’t have the size to hold much torque. This makes it difficult to dig his cleats in as a run blocker, and tries to overcompensate for this by leaning and putting too much sauce on his first strike. Ends up reaching and is in the dirt too much for a downblocking lineman. Has much better technique in pass pro than run blocking. Arm length slightly below NFL accepted requirements, bringing up the suggestion he might be moved inside to guard.
SIMON CARROLL: “I struggle with the concept of moving an offensive linemen inside when the worst aspect of his game is run blocking. Jaimes is something of a finesse tackle, who overcomes the lack of measurables with agile footwork and a plenty of urgency with his hands. The stout anchor you need to take on nose tackles just isn’t there, and for me his best hope is to find a home as a swing tackle thanks to his history of playing both spots in Lincoln. The work ethic and football smarts are there to allow him to stick in the league for some time, but run defense is the bread and butter for a lineman, and he needs to be better at it.”
PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’7”. Weight: 326lbs
PRO’S: Tall offensive linemen with huge arms and knows how to maximise their effectiveness. Sufficient movement skills allow him to get to an acceptable depth in his sets before his extension does the rest; good arm strength and hand power/placement just ruin the plans of pass rushers, and vice-like grip strength means he can latch on and take them away from the play. Has no issue turning a battle into a scrap and will do anything to keep himself interposed between threat and football. Height disguises the functional play strength he possesses, and every now and again you catch a flash of physical dominance. Enjoys playing through the whistle and is always keen to find work if the play flows away from him. Smart and disciplined, particularly working in space when pulling and looking for threats at the second level.
CON’S: Very tall, meaning that 326lbs doesn’t spread too far - he could definitely add more weight and improve his anchor. He has a skinny lower half that makes him play with a base that is too wide in pass protection. This causes mobility issues, something that could all be avoided with more sand in his pants. Bullrushes test his stoutness, and he often fails to dig in his cleats and stand his ground. Naturally disadvantageous pad level but a total lack of knee bend makes his job even harder; stout defensive linemen with good leg torque can forklift him, even with all that length. Want to see him more clinical against the run, with too many opponents slipping off his blocks as the ball comes through the line.
SIMON CARROLL: “A confusing profile, Adrian Ealy has good weight and length, and plenty of hustle and aggression, but is constantly found wanting when it comes to physicality in close quarters. The height doesn’t help but even in situations where you think his body type would suit him, defenders are able to get off his blocks. He has pleasing movement and you can see why Oklahoma had him on the outside, which is where I think he’ll stay in the NFL. The rare times he gets his technique and stance right he is impossible to cope with, giving you hope there’s a chance he develops into an eventual starter. His floor is more important though, and for a team that appreciates his size, movement and smarts he can at least hold down a swing tackle role at the next level.”
PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’7”. Weight: 305lbs
PRO’S: A big man with terrific play strength. Relishes blocking, and more often than not wins with sheer power running from his lower half up through his torso. Will simply uproot guys when blocking square on, and doesn’t particularly need good leverage to do so, although pad level is pretty good for his height. Good strength through his arms that has enough length to control the point of contact. A proper mauler in the run game; if he can’t frogmarch or relocate his blocker he’s going to make it a messy battle and usually ends up winning. Holds blocks a little too long after the whistle and knows how to get under the skin of an opponent. Featured as part of a rather creative ground game in Kentucky with mobile QB Lynn Bowden in the backfield and showed good understanding of different blocking concepts.
CON’S: There are some athleticism concerns. He frequently plays over his toes, reaching out for contact too early, and suffers from poor balance as a result. Patience is not a virtue I would credit Young with; he wants his hands on pads all the time, and when reaching he loses his football technique and forgets to hold a wide enough stance. When this happens his ability to maintain and string out blocks is significantly reduced. His play speed is sufficient to get out to the second level or when moving vertically, but the quickest edge rushers will challenge his lateral mobility. His recovery powers aren’t developed, preferring instead to ‘crash’ the play and make the line warzone , ending up on the floor or drawing holding penalties.
SIMON CARROLL: “I’ve been looking forward to watching Landon Young’s tape ever since my good friend Oliver Hodgkinson said we had another Logan Stenberg on our hands. He knows I have a soft spot for gritty, physical bullies and Young did not disappoint; he plays with an edge that his imposing functional play strength compliments very nicely. That’s not to say that Young is just a brute - far from it. He’s switched on, knows what’s coming and what his quarterback is trying to achieve, and he uses his size, length and tenacity to get the job done. Not the cleanest of prospects, Young probably has just average athleticism and a limited ceiling as a result. But if his movement doesn’t hold up on the outside his competitive disposition will be welcomed on the interior. He’s got potential starter ability in his locker, and as a day three pick that’s not always a guarantee.”
PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 311lbs
PRO’S: Well-rounded late round prospect with plenty of experience at left tackle - played 37 games at Western Michigan, 32 of which were starts, and has protected the blindside the last 3 seasons. Smooth if not quick, Moore can get to the desired landmark in his sets before the pressure comes. Like his efficient lateral movement with good footwork that sees him mirror well for the most part. More than adequate length with 34” arms, and they’re strong too - uses them well to latch on to rushers and seal them out of the play. Surprising power in first punch and if accurate can win the rep from the off. Always busy; will keep involved with plays from the backside, and is always alert to other dangers as well as the one he is assigned to.
CON’S: Skinny lower half gives him significant anchor issues in the pass game and a notable lack of torque when run blocking. High cut frame and frequent examples of him bending at the waist rather than the knee, although not always suggests a lack of mental discipline rather than poor flexibility. Any attempt to add bulk to his torso could negate the athleticism he currently possesses, which isn’t particularly a standout aspect of his game as it is. Conditioning issues; notable slowing down of the motor late in games despite the effort levels, and hand accuracy wanes as they start to drop. Could employ a little more of a ‘finisher’ attitude when dominating a play - doesn’t let them back in, but doesn’t snatch their soul away either.
SIMON CARROLL: “It’s taken an excellent week at the Senior Bowl for Jaylon Moore to catch the eye, which is a shame considering a stellar career he has carved out for himself in Kalamazoo. Despite showing some versatility in Mobile, I still think his best position for his skillset is outside. Those long arms and instincts are his calling card, and if he can be more disciplined in his hand technique and pad level then I think we’ll see a little more consistent success out of him. A backup role with a view to develop into a starting right tackle in a zone blocking scheme would be the ideal scenario for Moore. I think he’s being slept on a little.”
PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’9”. Weight: 315 lbs.
PRO’S: Himmelman has been a known name on the NFL Draft radar for some time. Though debatable whether it is truly an advantage, his 6’9” height and 315 lb listed frame inevitably draws interest. Himmelman was a 230 lb TE and DL out of high school. Though he could have walked on at Iowa, he was a zero-star prospect with Illinois State as his only offer. Aside from a two-game foot injury absence, Himmelman has been a three-year starter at left tackle. He has succeeded in adding considerable bulk but is still relatively lean with room to potentially add more.
The Redbirds O-lineman makes use of his length fairly well on first contact and to aid him late against speed outside to force rushers wider. Against most opposition on film his pad level doesn’t hinder him too greatly. Winning reps often involve getting good early extension and limiting access to his own chest. Though not a notable athlete, he has enough foot quickness to effectively work upfield in a straight line.
There are a lot of positives in his mental game and football IQ. He has consistent timely release from his stance and looks coordinated in his pass pro sets. Though far from the most agile mover, Himmelman anticipates well, aiding him against counters. Overall, he plays calm and composed. He is more prone to attacking into contact than playing passive. He plays combatively when driving as a run blocker.
CON’S: As hinted earlier, it can certainly be argued that Himmelman’s height is as much a hinderance as a help. He is generally at a disadvantage in terms of leverage and pad level. When defenders exploit that, he can be knocked off balance, have his anchor raised and worked back into the pocket. In those instances, it can appear difficult for him to reset his feet and recover.
Himmelman does not appear to be a standout athlete. The lack of ideal agility and flexibility is noticeable in his lateral and backward movements. He makes it work during most pass pro reps but often has to abandon his kick slide early into more of a run in attempting to stay in phase with speed rushes. Not helping his stock, Himmelman is an older prospect, set to be a 25-year-old rookie.
REBECCA RENNIE: “A Combine invite, Himmelman has continued to play this spring season. He catches the eye early when watching Illinois State football with his rare frame. In fairness, he is steady and controlled on film. The frame he offers should earn a draft selection on Day 3. There are concerns though, relating particularly to his pad level and athleticism. Those questions, along with his age, may limit how early he hears his name called.”
PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’6”. Weight: 318lbs
PRO’S: 4 year starter at one of college football’s renowned offensive line programs, and made Tristan Wirfs play the right tackle spot as he pretty much occupied the blindside throughout his time at Iowa. Demonstrates good athleticism in general; Burst off the line is one of the hallmarks of his game. Makes a concerted effort to get upfield in a hurry and into his set at a healthy depth. A smooth lateral mover, he shows good coverage around the arc and has enough looseness in his hips to adjust on the fly and cover inside counters. Knows when and where to place his hands to create the most leverage. Flashes assertiveness in spots throughout games that shows he has the game to dominate in run blocking. Had an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl.
CON’S: Underwhelming play strength. He cuts a big figure but there is less power and torque in that frame than you require from an NFL tackle. This shows in his ability to anchor against power rushers. Arms strength is likewise not to NFL standards; he’s played a lot of football and knows how to deploy them, but he’s not rocking any edge rushers back, and sustaining downlocks is problematic. Jackson’s urgency to get deep before contact is because he also looks fragile against speed to power rushers, and he doesn’t want them to build up speed before they get to him. Some techniques and fundamentals, for a decorated Iowa lineman with 42 starts, is downright shoddy. Footwork is poor, his bottom half is not in sync with his top half, and he doesn’t finish plays.
SIMON CARROLL: “You feel robbed watching Alaric Jackson on tape. Excellent size, length and mobility along with his extensive experience make you want a lot more than you get from him. For someone who is considered a team leader and a work ethic guy, there seems little devotion to the weight room or attention paid to cleaning up his footwork - I heard Kyle Crabbs explain his feet on a podcast once and I couldn’t stop watching them; they’re so poor at times they cross. Having said all that, Jackson has demonstrated a capability at the position that warrants a look at the next level. He also changed his diet in 2020 and looked better for it, and his performances at the Senior Bowl - particularly at guard - saw some improvement in his technique and focus. He’ll hear his name called, but he’s got a lot of work to do to make sure he’s still on a roster come week 1.”
PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’6”. Weight: 309lbs
PRO’S: Long arms and knows how to use them. Plays with full extension to be in control of most reps. Arms have plenty of power in them and hands show impressive grip; if he’s able to find the pads of his opponent he can maintain the contact for as long as he wants. Quick, choppy punches keep rushers at bay as he mirrors their movements round the edge. Quick rather than fast, he has sufficient speed and guile to get to where he needs to be before contact. Shows good patience and waits for engagement before timing his first punch consistently well. Durable - has played the last 35 games for the Aggies without interruption, and has experience on both ends of the offensive line.
CON’S: Disappointing quicks overall. Lateral movement is subpar, disguised by his snap anticipation and composure to get to his landmarks. Doesn’t have the quick mental processing or dainty footwork to match inside moves from rushers, and struggles with a swim move past his inside arm. Upper half has some strength, but underwhelming anchor makes him less of an asset against the run; brings little energy to his downblocks despite the effort and intensity he offers, and will get immediately halted and rocked back by his opponent. Tuned in and sees what’s coming with some disguised attacks but doesn’t have the requisite power or speed to stop them consistently. Cheats to overcome this, and gives away his intentions prior to the snap.
SIMON CARROLL: “A pure tackle prospect, Moore doesn’t have the sand in his pants to kick inside. That’s okay - his length will be optimised on the end of the line, and he has experience on both sides that will increase his appeal to scouts looking for a late round prospect with long term potential to be a backup swing tackle. Before he gets there though, there are some technique issues to clean up. Even if that happens, there are limitations to his traits that suggest cracking the top of a depth chart is probably asking too much.”
PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 312lbs
PRO’S: Powerful body mover. Got a thick frame with a low center of gravity that aids his push and leg churn throughout contact. Absolute thumper on his first punch and likes to get his opponent on his haunches from the off. Excellently coached as you would expect from a Wisconsin o-line prospect, and it shows: Hands show aggressiveness, accuracy and timing that is the bedrock of his consistency, and his footwork allows an otherwise average at best athletic profile to compete. Tuned-in to the game in front of him; you see his eyes darting around, looking for hidden danger. Excellent communicator, disseminating information to his teammates. Turns up with big time plays at key moments and was a well-respected teammate in Madison.
CON’S: Short arms. Just not long enough to win enough blocks and relocate when run blocking or guide beyond the pocket in the passing game. Notable lack of agility; mirroring speed rushers movements gives him a headache, so much so that teams may move him inside where he’ll have to deal with power more. Rusty hips make lateral movement taxing, and outside of north-south run blocking his ability to reach landmarks in time to make a pronounced effect on an opponent’s trajectory is difficult. Van Lanen then tries to compensate for this with extra effort, which comes at a cost to the fundamentals such as pad height and narrow base.
SIMON CARROLL: “Cole Van Lanen’s career at tackle is likely over. The big former Badger doesn’t have the movement or length to operate on the outside in the NFL, and he’ll have to prove to teams he can slip inside to guard and be an effective pass protector. The pressure will be in closer quarters and more power than speed, which suits his traits better. He’ll still need every ounce of intelligence he demonstrated at Wisconsin to find his way through training camp though, because power, good hands and pre-snap recognition is simply not enough to earn you a roster spot.”
PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’7”. Weight: 315lbs
PRO’S: Ideal height, weight and length to play tackle in the NFL. High effort levels and competitiveness with a good motor that runs until the end of the game. Football intelligence pops off the screen; pre-snap recognition of the defenses intentions give him a head start to disrupt their plans. Alert to misdirection, stunts and twists from edge rushers, and has a feeling for when he’s being sized up for outside-inside or double moves. Has developed good technique; crisp footwork with no wasted steps, and excellent hand timing and accuracy. Got better in 2020 - had a very impressive showing vs UCLA .
CON’S: Right tackle only. Played 34 games for Stanford, all on the right side as his teammate Walker Little locked down the blindside. Traits don’t stand up to NFL standards; Disappointing core strength for his size and weight; anchor gets tested on nearly every rushing attack and power rushers take him to the cleaners with a strong bullrush. Upper body the same; lack of physicality when engaging with opponent and hand strikes lack the necessary pop to jolt defensive linemen off course. Athleticism just average, and despite attention to the little things struggles to disguise a lack of fluidity when mirroring or speed when getting vertical/blocking downfield.
SIMON CARROLL: “If you go to Stanford you have to be smart, so it’s no surprise to see that Foster Sarell has an impressive football IQ that he demonstrates on a snap by snap basis. Dedicated to his craft, he has worked hard to maximise the things he can control, and has some refinement that better prospects in this draft class have yet to achieve. When you see that and you see his size and length, you start to get excited, but the truth of it is Foster Sarell just isn’t strong or quick enough to stay on a depth chart. I fully expect him to be a practice squad guy who teams will appreciate for his attention to detail and desire to make his teammates better.”
PROJECTION: UDFA
Height: 6’6”. Weight: 319lbs
PRO’S: A hustler. Green will fight and compete on every rep to give himself a chance of success. Fights through length deficiency to find the numbers of his opponent and dictate the play. Smarts stand out on tape; aware of the direction of the play and understands angles and intentions to intercept the threat and thwart his path to the football. Excellent seal blocker where he can come at an angled approach to his opponent, get hands on pads and wall him off from the action. 100% motor and his arms never drop, and he works hard to continually reset them as the pass rusher works his way round the arc.
CON’S: Just doesn’t have the traits. Despite good size lacks the necessary core strength to compete at the next level. Skinny legs leave him bereft of any kind of anchor, with only tenacity helping him hold ground. Works hard to find pads but can’t deliver jarring punches and merely tries to guide defenders away rather than force them. Downblocking is merely an exercise in negating a threat rather than removing it, and he is rarely able to widen run lanes. Short length is a further disadvantage to combat edge rushers and he likely will be kicked inside at the next level. Not enough athleticism to mask physical disadvantages. Eagerness to stay in a play has seen plenty of holding calls at Texas A&M and it’s likely a similar scenario at the next level.
SIMON CARROLL: “A smart and dedicated offensive linemen, I feel mean when I say there are too many hindrances to an NFL career for Carson Green. He has the dreaded trifecta of lack of strength, length and speed that is extremely difficult to overcome at the next level. You cannot help but be impressed with the effort levels and ways in which he has learned to cope with his role, but that isn’t going to cut it as a pro. I think he could find a home on a practice squad where his smarts will be useful in recreating what an upcoming opponent will do during the week, but don’t expect him to suit up on Sundays.”
PROJECTION: UDFA
SIMON CARROLL
HEAD OF CFB/NFL DRAFT CONTENT
PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN SCOUTING DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE. HE FULLY MIGRATED TO THE TOUCHDOWN AS HEAD OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND NFL DRAFT CONTENT IN JULY 2019. ALL THE RANKINGS ABOVE ARE HIS OWN, AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF ALL THE WRITERS AT THE TOUCHDOWN. FOR DISCUSSION OF ANY OF THE DRAFT PROSPECTS ABOVE, HIT HIM UP ON TWITTER @NFLDRAFTSI.