Over the next few months, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up into the 2020 NFL Draft. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.
Today, we are taking a look at Louisiana-Lafayette offensive lineman Robert Hunt.
Honors and Awards
- All-Sun Belt First-Team (2019)
- Outland Trophy watch list (2019)
- All-Sun Belt Second-Team (2018)
Strengths
- Rare combination of athleticism, strength and mobility. Very wide base and burly build.
- Displays incredible power on initial contact. Knocks defenders off balance with initial hand punch and devastates defenders to the ground.
- Lateral quickness to slide with outside speed rushers and ride them out of play.
- Sinks hips and can anchor, rarely giving up ground. Uses arm length and extension to keep defensive lineman off his frame, maintains spacing.
- Sets up his blocks in space by using angles and quickness. Rangy run blocker, can cut off inside penetration, or locate blocks early at second level. Moves well when pulling.
- Adequate reaction skills to diagnose and pick up blitzes.
- Aggressive blocker that attacks his assignment. Flashes a mean streak and a desire to finish blocks.
- Experience at guard and tackle.
Here's a piece of the ULa RT Robert Hunt's film that @JimNagy_SB mentioned earlier… vs SEC talent from MSSt, Hunt displayed footwork and aggressiveness that all OL coaches love. #SnapScout pic.twitter.com/phNYisWA4F
— Chad Reuter (@chad_reuter) November 6, 2019
Shoutout to @JimNagy_SB and the @seniorbowl for helping me find out ULL RT Robert Hunt (#50) is a draft crush of mine. Dudes just causally putting a man in the dirt here. pic.twitter.com/WO4ZNcVL2q
— Rob Paul (@RobPaulNFL) November 8, 2019
Weaknesses
- Gets in good initial position, but often loses his leverage, playing too upright.
- Strong hands at the point of attack, but needs to do a better job with placement. Can be too high or wide.
- Forgets his feet sometimes and chooses to use his reach.
- Often caught lunging at defenders to engage or land his punch.
Summary
Hunt is a big man with a unique athletic skill-set for the position, showing above-average balance, lateral agility to handle speed, and power at the point of attack. In the run game, he uses a strong grip to move bodies to create lanes and his nasty temperament sees him taking defenders to the ground. His footwork technique is still a work in progress and he needs to be weary of his pad level.
Chargers Fit
Based on his physical traits and athleticism, Hunt profiles as a solid starting right tackle at the next level. He has experience at guard, but his athleticism and pass-protection skills could allow him to be a plug-and-play on the right side, opposite of Russell Okung. If tackle doesn’t pan out, he could easily kick inside. Hunt’s tools suggest a bright future, assuming he receives the necessary coaching and development by the Chargers coaching staff.