NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS - offensive tackle
Click on the names of the prospects below to see their draft profiles:
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 320lbs
PRO’S: Unbelievable athleticism for size. Quick feet in any pass set with loose hips to flip and move round the arc. Shows elite balance through contact, much of the credit for which goes to his footwork. Huge, wide frame that is difficult to manipulate. Excellent core strength with solid lower body power that helps him win the leverage battle time and again. Violent first punch, using good hand placement to jolt defender out of rhythm and off course. Effortlessly shades pass rushers away from the quarterback. Takes good angles in run blocking and imposes his physicality upon engagement. Very good mover in space, finding the secondary block downfield. Feisty, violent competitor who enjoys the battle and shows up for every snap.
CON’S: Height and length are on the small size for NFL standards. Susceptible to inside pass rush moves more than outside ones. Was purely a right tackle in Tuscaloosa, meaning his ability to play on the blind side is an unknown. False starts a concern as he can be too eager to get his hands on his opponent first.
SIMON CARROLL: “Jedrick Wills is without doubt the premier offensive tackle prospect in this draft class. His families’ significant basketball ties show up in his ridiculous quickness and athleticism around the line of scrimmage. He’s extremely polished as a pass protector and has the nastiness required in the run game too. Much like Jonah Williams last year Wills has some questions about his length, but I’d be surprised if that saw him fall out of the top ten of this draft. He has an All-Pro future ahead of him”.
PREDICTION: TOP TEN PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 322lbs
PRO’S: Body beautiful with a high proportion of muscle mass to his weight. Impressive core strength that comes from his devotion to the weight room. Ultra smooth motion, graceful over short areas with good feet. Wins the leverage battle with impressive lower body power and bend. A true mauler - impossible to get off from once he’s locked onto you. Quickness off the line and wide stance make him reliable in pass pro. Smart hand placement and power when he times his first punch right. Career on an upward curve - got better every year at Iowa.
CON’S: Inconsistency in terms of imposing his will on a game. Poor balance when attacking downhill in run blocking. Average length for the outside. Played predominantly on the right side in college and his lack of athleticism may preclude him from making it on the blind side. Could end up a better guard in the NFL than a tackle.
SIMON CARROLL: “Iowa make offensive linemen like Detroit make cars. Wirfs is the latest off the production line - big, tough, and destined for a team that loves to play a physical brand of football. Wirfs might not be the road grader that Brandon Scherff was, but he has a similar outlook heading into the pro’s - capable right tackle who may be kicked inside if he doesn’t develop. His combine performance showed he has the athleticism to play on the outside - even the blindside - and at the very worst he becomes an elite guard. Teams will like the pick security he offers”.
PREDICTION: TOP FIFTEEN PICK
Height: 6’7”. Weight: 369lbs
PRO’S: Huge, long ‘dancing bear’ with nimble feet and maybe unparalleled power in this draft class. Arms are freakishly long, allowing him to hold out opponents well away from the pocket. Upper body strength allows him to explode into defenders with his first punch. Much like Wills, his speed off the line of scrimmage is head scratching. Good footwork and low pad level despite his height aids his leverage. So smooth on the move - can pull or get in front on outside zone runs and attack downfield when he has the opportunity. An absolute behemoth with the aggression in run blocking and quickness & length in pass pro.
CON’S: Hand technique needs to be cleaned up. Can overreach with his weight over his toes, leading to balance issues. Often relies on his brute strength to see him home when his fundamentals could be improved. Likes to get his hands on jersey and needs to show more patience in letting the play develop. At 369lbs Becton may already be too big for NFL tastes, and his weight control will need to be improved after fluctuating wildly at Louisville.
SIMON CARROLL: “Mekhi Becton is a bigger, maybe quicker version of Jedrick Wills who has shown he can play on the left side at Louisville. The reason why he’s not the number one tackle prospect is because he’s raw and needs to clean up more in his game, but the ceiling for Becton is off the charts. If he controls his weight and adds polish he’ll be one of the best blind side blockers in the NFL”.
PREDICTION: TOP FIFTEEN PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 320lbs
PRO’S: Hungry, competitive tackle who can play both the left and right spots with comfort. Elite strength - fires out of his stance and uses his power to quickly overwhelm defenders. Brutal first punch on pass rushers - his hands are violent cinder blocks which he blasts into his opponents’ chest. Low center of gravity means he rarely gets rocked backwards on power moves. Has enough power to even manipulate defenders away from the quarterback when they’re outside of his frame. Good footwork, able to reset and plant to consistently get the upper hand in duels. Extremely intelligent tackle who understands defensive concepts and has learnt to mitigate pass rush moves with subtle adjustments
CON’S: An odd shape - very square with questionable length. Physical conditioning needs to improve - gets tired towards the end of games and his fundamentals betray him. Doesn’t play with as low a pad level as you’d hope, instead relying on his brute strength to win. Ungainly movement, either laterally or getting to the second level.
SIMON CARROLL: “Andrew Thomas has been regarded as one of the best tackles in college football for the last two years and it’s easy to see why - his physical strength and football IQ mean that he can be a day one starter in the NFL. Teams will also value his positional versatility and his history of playing the blindside at a high level. His technique and conditioning are correctable and scouts will consider him a safe pick”.
PREDICTION: TOP FIFTEEN PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 311lbs
PRO’S: Athletic tackle with the quickness off the snap that NFL scouts covet in a blindside protector. Smooth hips and flexibility aids his movement around the arc. Excellent pulling tackle and gets to the second level quickly and effectively. Plus length that allows him to frame out pass rushers consistently. Has the quickness and composure to recover well when beaten early off the snap. Sufficient size and strength to move defenders in the run game. Despite a difficult season for Houston, Jones’ game improved immeasurably in his senior year.
CON’S: Raw. Footwork is all over the place, and he relies on his speed to get himself out of trouble too often. First punch is violent enough but where he lands his hands is inconsistent. Kick slide more of a kick stagger at this point. Still learning the subtle nuances of the position, including blocking angles and balance. Play strength could stand to improve to be competitive at the next level.
SIMON CARROLL: “If Jones continues his learning curve in the NFL, he’s going to be a steal in the second half of the first round. His technique right now is messy, but his growth over his final season in Houston was remarkable. You can’t teach speed, and Jones has plenty of that. Coaches will bank on themselves being able to clean up some things and plugging this guy in on the blindside for the next decade plus”.
PREDICTION: 1ST ROUND PICK
Height: 6’6”. Weight: 310lbs
PRO’S: Natural tackle with the desired blend of height, length, and athleticism to survive on the outside. Quick reaction to the snap and gets his hands on his opponent early. Tasty hands that for the most part land well and deliver a solid first punch. Good length allows him to lock out defenders and shade away pass rushers round the arc. Wary of pass-rush techniques and can counteract inside moves. Quick feet make him an asset in zone run blocking schemes. Solid contributor at left tackle for two seasons.
CON’S: Power is barely sufficient at this stage. Needs to add more muscle mass to his frame, which his body suggests is possible. Play strength deficiencies identifiable in the run game where he withstands pressure rather than moves it away. Tries to add more bite to his engagement and balance is compromised as a result. Often struggles to anchor and can get rocked back. Footwork can be cleaned up.
SIMON CARROLL: “Austin Jackson’s left tackle traits are so evident he will be coveted by NFL teams, particularly those who utilise zone blocking schemes in the run game. His strength is a concern, but the rest of his deficiencies are more than correctable. He’s a borderline first round prospect who with an early run on tackles is likely to see his name called day one”.
PREDICTION: 1ST ROUND PICK
Height: 6’7”. Weight: 328lbs
PRO’S: Another big guy with surprising athelticism, Niang can be considered a slightly smaller version of Mekhi Becton. His arm length is monstrous, and coupled with his speed he is a nightmare to evade. Elite timing and movement, comfortable in picking up even the quickest of blitzers. Graceful lateral movement and effortlessly covers ground. As expected with his size, Niang’s play strength is an attribute too. Has a good solid anchor and hefty first punch. Intelligent footballer, always on the lookout for stunts and tricks from a defense. Stepped up against some of the best in the business in his junior year.
CON’S: Nowhere near as dominant in his senior year as he was in 2018. Major factor in this was a torn hip labrum that he battled through for most of the season before it ended his collegiate career and needed surgery - this will be thoroughly checked out by NFL teams. Sometimes too eager to engage or get in his stance, opening his hips to pass rushers and giving them daylight to the quarterback. Footwork needs to be more consistent - occasions where he is off balance at the point of contact. Predominantly played on the right side of the line at TCU.
SIMON CARROLL: “In my preseason article on offensive linemen to watch out for, Niang was one of the guys who excited me most. Prior to his final year he started twenty games in a row and gave up just seven pressures and zero sacks. I’m inclined to argue his downturn in 2019 is injury related more than anything else. If he allays medical concerns he’s a starting right tackle with a lot of upside and could be a steal on day two”.
PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 307lbs
PRO’S: Agile & explosive tackle with good length. Movement off his spot is quick and smooth - excellent blocker when sliding and in space. Footwork is incredble, such nimble feet for a 300lb human. Projects well as a left tackle in the NFL with his ability to screen pass-rushers off round the arc. Quick hands allow him to get multiple pushes on speed rushers and quide them away from the quarterback. Excellent pad level makes him sufficiently stout in run blocking as well as power rush moves.
CON’S: Not played football all that long and it shows. Still feeling his way through the details of the position - balance, hand timing & placement, and finishing plays all require improvement. Rather lanky for the position and lacks lower half body weight, bringing his anchor into question against NFL defenses. Can get man-handled in the run game - hand strength in question when he needs to engage for more than a short period of time.
SIMON CARROLL: “A former basketball scholar athlete, Wanogho only picked up football after training in the sport to get into shape. He’s added a ton of weight to his frame in a short space of time and there’s questions as to whether there’s room for more to improve his play strength. Having said that, he consistently flashes traits of an NFL left tackle. He probably won’t be a year one starter, and it might look ungainly, but more often than not The Prince gets the job done”.
PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’7”. Weight: 310lbs
PRO’S: Passes the eyeball test - huge man with excellent length. Large frame that looks like it could add more weight. Has a first punch that would knock the wind out of your sails. Doesn’t rest on his laurels and continues to attack the rusher with more heavy blows until he’s neutralised the threat. Savvy tackle who isn’t often hoodwinked and can sniff out disguised or secondary danger. Athleticism seems like an untapped resource - quick off the line of scrimmage, able to keep up with rushers and mirror nicely, and quick lateral mover or attacking the second level. High work ethic and valued locker room presence.
CON’S: Technique problems. Hand placement sloppy and he can be susceptible to inside moves. Wasted steps can sometimes make him slow into his set and be off balance as a result. Hips a little stiff but tape showed improvement as a senior. Pad level understandably high but also not aiding the leverage battle. Despite the size his play strength is a bit disappointing. Doesn’t drive defenders off the ball in the run game.
SIMON CARROLL: “Peart is a bit of an enigma. Four years as a starter at a school that has had it’s trouble establishing itself on the football field means he’s played a lot of lower-level competition and dominated even on his worst days. But stick on the UCF tape from this year or watch his Senior Bowl practices and he’s by no means out of place. It feels like we’ve only just scratched the surface of his potential”.
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’8”. Weight: 314lbs
PRO’S: Tough, composed tackle who is ultra-comfortable in pass protection. Has a wide frame that makes him difficult to circumnavigate. Savvy to any pass rush move, and constantly frustrates edge rushers. Feels like a natural on the outside, with good timing and hand placement as he engages. Excellent technique across the board - pad level, anchor, footwork (particularly when he sets) and kick slide. Good football IQ with a nose for danger and understands his responsibilities when in space as a run blocker.
CON’S: Should posses a lot more power for his size. Lack of play strength coupled with a lack of length will concern NFL scouts. Susceptible to power rush moves, particularly as the game goes on and fatigue sets in. Despite good pad level struggles with leverage due to his height. Major red flags when it comes to injury history - Adams tore his ACL in 2017 and suffered a bulging disc in his back in 2018. Fears that he’s lost a touch of his athleticism due to these injuries.
SIMON CARROLL: “Adams was the apple of the NFL scouting world’s eye before his ACL injury as a Junior. Since then it’s been one setback after another for the former Husky, whose nuanced game has been restricted by his physical limitations. The Combine will be crucial for him as teams ascertain his longevity at the next level. On talent alone, he has the ability to be a starter at the next level”.
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’7”. Weight: 340lbs
PRO’S: A physical monster. Thick, tree trunk of a tackle with good body definition you wouldn’t expect from 340lbs. An absolute mauler in the run game when he’s able to line up his man and take him to the cleaners. Loves drive blocking defenders into the dirt. Enjoys winning with power but also has sufficient speed and the quick feet to move around and get himself set. An imposing obstacle in the way of the quarterback and if he gets his hands in first he’s difficult to beat.
CON’S: Rough and ready tackle who is going to be a flag magnet at the next level. His balance is all over the place - he overextends, leans and loses significant play strength as a result. Footwork is sluggish, particularly in his kick slide. Has impressive speed for his size but fluidness isn’t there - hips get locked too often and remain perpendicular to the pass rusher.
SIMON CARROLL: “Watching Isaiah Wilson isn’t always pretty, and there is a lot to his game that he can work on and make better. There’s no getting around his limited athleticism, but if he lands on a smashmouth team with a man-blocking run scheme then he could become a valued starter at right tackle”.
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’6”. Weight: 310lbs
PRO’S: Athletic tackle who is out of his stance quickly and garners impressive depth on his pass sets. Consistently able to shadow rushers around the arc and away from the quarterback. Excellent lateral mobility allows him to scootch out to position effectively. Shows composure, patience and timing upon engagement. Plus reach that, coupled with his quickness, allow him to get his hands inside the numbers and dictate the course of the play. Loose hips and quick change of direction aids his run blocking. Able to get out in front and locate his opponent when pulled.
CON’S: Core strength a significant concern. Lack of lower body power means inconsistent anchor, despite the eagerness he brings to every snap. High hips and high pad level compromise his leverage, making his initial contact even more critical. Hands are sometimes slow to the party and, as established, if beaten early his lack of play strength makes it difficult for him to get back into the play. Run blocking has been effective for Boise but questions as to whether he’d be able to neutralise bigger linemen at the next level. Lack of focus evident on some plays - examples of oversetting or opening up his hips too quickly on occasion.
SIMON CARROLL: “Somewhat a ‘Jack of all trades’, Cleveland has a lot of the traits that NFL teams will be trying to unearth in a mid-round prospect. His biggest drawback is a lack of play strength, so being able to add more mass to his frame will be crucial to his pro career. The rest - athleticism, smarts, technique - is pretty much there. It would not shock me if he developed into an effective starting tackle by year three”.
PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 295lbs
PRO’S: Plus athlete with reasonable length that can quickly get into his set and be ready for engagement. Plus athleticisim - movement off the snap is surprisingly fast with pass rushers shocked early in games as Charles gets inside them with ease. Despite lack of weight his anchor is impressive - good bend and low center of gravity upon contact and he shows a certain level of steel when faced with power rushers. Excellent footwork on the move, particularly his kick slide around the arc.
CON’S: Has to win the rep early - struggles with recovery or to control the play if the defender gets his hands inside. When faced with speed rushers he tries to land the first blow and can lunge or lose balance. Lightweight and scouts will be concerned whether his frame can add more bulk. Character concerns - six missed games in 2019 due to suspension (media reports suggesting multiple failed drug tests).
SIMON CARROLL: “When you consider Charles has only played four years on the offensive line his game is remarkably developed. Core strength is his primary concern, and teams may consider moving him inside to guard where his athleticism will shine a little more. If he allays character concerns then he could be a potential chess piece for an NFL offensive line”.
PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 294lbs
PRO’S: Technically savvy run blocker with good initial quickness off the snap. Tidy in the majority of areas the position requires - quick into his set, good hand placement, clean footwork. Comfortable in space and shows good engagement on downfield blocks. Brings the requisite aggression in run blocking duties despite his light frame, and enjoys the battle in the trenches. Quick-minded with regards to defensive stunts. A big game player who has delivered in critical moments.
CON’S: Insufficient play strength. Needs to pack on more weight in whatever fashion he can. Without natural power needs to have a strong anchor and good leverage for the next level, but hasn’t shown that on tape. Lack of power in his initial punch, and short arms allow defenders into his body too readily. Waist bender with a tendency to get high as the game progresses. Limited athleticism noticeable as the play gets strung out. Uncomfortable mirroring pass rushers round the arc.
SIMON CARROLL: “Driscoll transferred to Auburn from UMass and barely skipped a beat, locking down the right side opposite Prince Tega. But it’s not easy projecting him to the next level. His short arms and feistiness in the run game encourage a move inside to guard, but his lack of play strength seems to prohibit that. Look for him to be a backup or swing tackle in a zone blocking heavy offense”.
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’6”. Weight: 304lbs
PRO’S: Ultra-nasty tackle who relishes the war in the trenches. A complete team-first, do whatever it takes to win mentality. Big, physical right tackle with sufficient arm length to engage defenders and shadow them away. Tough as nails at the point of attack - if he locks on then he’s in control of the play. Big physical hands that pack a punch and has shown good placement. Excels against speed rushers in short sets where he anchors down and shoots his arms. Loves to finish plays to the point of irritation to opponents. Quality of performance rose with level of opponent at West Virginia.
CON’S: Limited athletically. Tight hips cause him to stand tall when moving laterally. Will have problems getting his hands on rushers who duck the corner in the NFL. Acceleration out of three point stance sub-par, making it hard for him to achieve depth on his sets. Surprisingly struggles to drive block on running plays - more of a neutraliser than a mover. Susceptible to inside moves. Diagnoses double duties well but struggles to disengage quickly enough to meet the second threat.
SIMON CARROLL: “McKivitz is one fun guy to watch play football, and someone you want to have lining up next to you in the trenches. Athletic limitations mean he’ll never play left tackle in the NFL - in fact he’ll have to fight to carve out a starting role at right tackle. But fighting is what McKivitz does. His versatility he showed at West Virginia and during Senior Bowl week may see his draft stock rise a little as we get close to April”.
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Click here to read Oli Hodgkinson’s interview with Colton McKivitz.
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 302lbs
PRO’S: Decent lower body strength and strong hands are Adeniji’s calling cards. Loves to attack the defender, landing his hands accurately inside and proves very difficult to disengage from. Drives his man away from the football and relishes run blocking duties. Excellent leverage; keeps his pads low and utilises good knee bend to consistently get the advantage on his opponent. Fundamentally sound and well coached - fantastic with positioning, angles and blocking responsibilities. Comfortable blocking on the move and in space.
CON’S: Lack of athleticism limits him in pass protection. Sluggish off the line and into his set. Slightly undersized too, his anchor sometimes not quite as stout as it needs to be at the next level. Could stand to add more muscle mass and be more dedicated in the weight room. Adding a bit more nastiness to his game would improve his pass protection immeasurably. Lack of short area quickness makes him vulnerable to speed rushers with an array of pass rush moves.
SIMON CARROLL: “A tough, reliable and durable starter on a team that have been the whipping boys of the Big 12, Adeniji has shown a lot of mettle and growth to be considered for conference team of the year awards at the end of 2019. The fundamentals and technique seem to be there which encourages a quick transition to the NFL, but a lack of athleticism and work to do on his core strength will reduce his time on the field. Very much a candidate to be moved inside to guard”.
PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 310lbs
PRO’S: Strong offensive lineman who relies on brute strength to win his individual battles. Solid anchor and difficult to move off between the numbers and locking on when necessary. Effective at getting under the pads and ‘forklifting’ opponents out of the way. Able to withstand power rushers throughout the snap. Excellent positional diversity - played every position on the line during his career at Oregon. Can pull effectively. High football IQ - aware of all the dangers any defensive alignment can offer.
CON’S: Significant lack of athleticism will severely hamper his transition to the NFL. Poor bend, often coming at the waist, will negate his vast power and leave him vulnerable at the next level. Slow off the snap and lateral quickness is a concern. Struggles to get good depth on his pass sets. Lost when blocking in space and despite intelligence shows no spacial awareness when taking angles to the next defender. Frequently off balance, in most part due to his sluggish feet. Likely moved inside to guard to negate his lack of quickness around the arc.
SIMON CARROLL: “Despite being a huge contributor to one of the best offensive line in college football the last two years, Throckmorton’s chances at an NFL career are anything but certain. His lack of athleticism in a game that’s only going to get faster for him is a significant concern. Teams will adore his leadership, smarts and versatility, and it will get him drafted, but he’s likely to be a backup at the next level”.
PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’8”. Weight: 309lbs
PRO’S: Intriguing tackle prospect with tantalising length that he uses effectively in pass protection. Shockingly quick off the line, his arms into the chest of his opponent in rapid fashion. Exceptional short-are quickness for his gangly frame - rangy in and around the line of scrimmage with good lateral speed. Able to re-set and re-engage with pass rushers when beaten early on the snap. Smart hand usage, able to stun defenders at first contact before manipulating them away from danger with impressive grip strength.
CON’S: Where is the power? Heck has a distinct lack of lower body strength that negates his good technique and hand usage. Struggles to anchor down and withstand power rush moves. Shows good bend but pad height is still too high thanks to his height. On the floor an awful lot - inconsistent balance is a symptom of his lack of core strength and he’s rocked backwards far too often. Lack of aggression to his demeanour - not the run blocking bully you’d hope for his size.
SIMON CARROLL: “Heck is an athletic, West-Coast style of tackle in a road grader’s body. If an NFL team were to throw him in from day one it would likely be an unmitigated disaster, but if he finds himself in a quick-pass offense with a couple of years to develop he could become a useful swing tackle at the next level”.
PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 301lbs
PRO’S: Late-round prospect with the sufficient length to intrigue NFL teams looking for day three or fee agent value. Sound pass protection technique, getting his arms inside and stringing the defender out and away from the quarterback. Has plus short area quickness, his kick step around the arc tidy and efficient. Smart footwork and timing with punches.
CON’S: Lack of play strength, despite a reasonable anchor in pass pro. A liability in the run game, repeatedly failing to halt tacklers, let alone move them backwards. Frame too slender and dubious as to whether he can gain muscle mass. Balance questionable - plays over his toes looking to give more juice to his strikes. Tore his ACL in 2018 and his six-year college career has been littered with nagging injuries.
SIMON CARROLL: “Herron is unique in that, as a late-round prospect he is a pure tackle and not someone who translates as a guard in the NFL. That’s down to his athleticism and length - the measurables are there, but the functional strength isn’t. A project and one that has no guarantees that it will work out, he will likely be stashed away on a practice squad whilst he focuses on his development”.
PREDICTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’6”. Weight: 312lbs
PRO’S: Prototypical NFL tackle size with impressive arm length. Likes to dominate pass-rushers with his aggression and size. Strong arms allow violent hands to physically force his opponent off track. Hand placement very good, consistently getting into the numbers. Good timing on engagement. Natural feel for pass blocking and can see disguised or secondary attacks coming.
CON’S: Lack of lower body strength - his power is all above his waist. Struggles to fame out rushers if he is denied early in the snap, or the play is elongated. Too fixated on the physical aspect of the game and not his technique. Kick step is clunky, pad height is wildly high and his balance if he misses the first punch is hazardous. Underwhelming athleticism shows up predominantly in run blocking duties, but his effectiveness in lateral movement is also compromised. Grabby when things go wrong.
SIMON CARROLL: “Steele has the feel of a freshman tackle who still has a collegiate career to fill out his body and develop his game. Instead, he heads to the pro’s with some intriguing traits but a boat load of question marks. He’s undoubtedly a project that, with good coaching and discipline could eventually be an asset to an NFL roster”.
PREDICTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’5”. Weight: 303lbs
PRO’S: Physical, aggressive lineman who likes to dominate at the point of contact. Routinely forces pass rushers off their trajectory with bruising punches and locked out arms. Embraces the force of the defender before flipping the script and returning the favour. Just as imposing with his power in run blocking too - a mauler who shows gets his hands in early and has his opponent heading backwards. Surprising fluidness to match with his aggression - oily hips lets him glide across the turf and roll the defender away if necessary.
CON’S: Footwork heavy, and not in a good way - frequently cumbersome to his set. Hand placement needs cleaning up as his accuracy doesn’t match his aggression. Slightly undersized and may be encouraged to add more mass to his frame to withstand NFL defenders. Balance is an issue as defenders know he’s going to bring the heat with his hands and show patience, making him overextend. Pad level an issue, particularly against power rushers.
SIMON CARROLL: “Frantz is an interesting prospect in that he jumps off the screen, but it’s hard to see his game translate with any consistency to the NFL. His dedication gives him a shot to make a training camp roster, and if he shows the fight he has in Manhattan he could very well be a guy who hangs around the league for multiple years”.
PREDICTION: UDFA
Feature Image Credit: Vasha Hunt (Associated Press)
Simon Carroll
CFB/NFL DRAFT EDITOR
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.