Matt Peart | OT | UConn
Elevator Pitch
A high-ceiling tackle prospect with a lengthy frame and commendable athleticism for his size, Peart has the physical tools to be a high-quality offensive lineman at the next level. Though he’s pretty raw and can add some more muscle to his frame, the upside he offers should help his draft stock a bit.
Vitals
Height | 6-7
Weight | 318
Strengths
Coaches like length at the offensive tackle position, and Peart has that in spades.
A giant who measured with the longest arms at the Combine, Peart has fantastic measurables for his position. His arms alone give him plenty of range as a blocker, but that length is complemented by impressive speed and agility. He moves well laterally in pass protection and is light on his feet when changing direction. He has the burst coming out of his stance – as well as sustainable speed – to keep up with athletic edge rushers off the snap. When climbing to the second level, he accelerates quickly and has the body control to maintain blocks while on the move, which also helps out in down-blocking situations.
Peart also has shown that he can play with a nasty edge at times, demonstrating flashes of grip strength that can overwhelm opposing defenders. He offers versatility along the offensive line, having played as both a tackle and a guard at UConn. He was also a four-year starter, so he has plenty of experience and plenty of tape to go off of, and his growth as a blocker is apparent.
Weaknesses
Though his athletic upside will see Peart drafted highly, his rawness as a blocker will more than likely prevent him from going higher than Day 2. He has a skinny frame and doesn’t possess much raw power in his lower body. That underwhelming strength is affected more so by his subpar pad level, as he doesn’t do a great job of sinking his hips and staying low to get his weight underneath him. It’s not a matter of flexibility with him, as he is a quality athlete, but rather composure. He fails to generate significant force or drive in his legs.
Peart can also stand to improve his hand placement a bit. While he has shown some flashes in that regard, he can be more consistent at places his strikes correctly and making sure not to lunge at opposing defenders. He weighed in heavier at the Combine than he ever did at UConn, but time will tell if that weight was fluctuated, or if it wasn’t, if that weight translates to more power.
Projection: Day 3
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