Category: Offensive tackles

2020 NFL draft: Ben Bartch scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about St. John’s offensive line prospect Ben Bartch

Ben Bartch | OL | St. John’s (MN)

Elevator Pitch

Bartch is a small-school converted tight end who will likely need to redshirt his rookie year, but his length, athleticism and power makes him an intriguing developmental prospect. Considering how far he’s come in just two years of playing as an offensive lineman, there’s no reason to think he can’t continue to develop and grow as a player.

Vitals

Height | 6-6

Weight | 309

College Bio Page

Strengths

Since Bartch stepped onto the campus at St. John’s, he has put on roughly 75 pounds of good weight, managing to add power to a skill set that has maintained some of that tight end athleticism.

Bartch packs a powerful punch at the point of attack and blocks with heavy hands overall. His grip strength is strong once he latches onto a defender, and he does a good job of sealing off running lanes for his teammates. He plays with a high motor and has shown the willingness to drive his opponents into the dirt. For a Division III player to be considered an NFL prospect, it’s important that they dominate their competition, and Bartch certainly did that. He also moves around well in pass protection, showing off solid overall athletic ability. He accelerates well when he climbs up to the second level.

Another surprising aspect about Bartch’s game is that he’s much more technically refined than one would expect for a D-III tackle with only two years of offensive line experience. His ability to process the given situation and understand key points like pad level, hand placement and angles to take at the point of attack is admittedly better than a handful of Power 5 tackles in this class who have much more experience at the position than he does. He’s not perfect, sure, but the significant progress he has made in such a short amount of time is definitely encouraging. He projects well as either a tackle or a guard, and that versatility could make him intriguing.

Weaknesses

Bartch spent his first two collegiate seasons as a tight end and only has two seasons of experience at offensive tackle to his name. That inexperience can show up on tape at times, and while he got away with it most of the time against lesser competition, that may be much tougher in the NFL. His set point approach coming out of his stance could use a little more variation, as his current approach is a bit too closed in and can leave him prone to speed rushes around the edge. While he’s a solid athlete, his footwork is a bit unpolished.

There have certainly been flashes of fundamentals like pad level and hand placement in Bartch’s game, but they haven’t been consistent quite yet. He can improve on placing his strikes inside of the opponents’ shoulders on a regular basis, and he doesn’t always sink his hips into contact to stay low and maintain leverage. There’s potential in that regard, but he’s still a work in progress.

Projection: Day 2

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2020 NFL draft: Lucas Niang scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about TCU offensive tackle prospect Lucas Niang

Lucas Niang | OT | TCU

Elevator Pitch

Niang is a massive and athletic offensive tackle prospect who brings plenty of physical upside to the table. He plays with heavy hands and can move around well in space, giving him the raw power and the agility to project well at the next level. His technique could be improved, but the upside he brings should find him selected on Day 2 if the medicals check out.

Vitals

Height | 6-6

Weight | 315

College Bio Page

Strengths

Niang brings plenty of enticing physical tools to work with at the offensive tackle position.

His length offers plenty of intrigue, and his frame still carries more room to get in better shape, so the potential from a physical standpoint is definitely there. He has shown some impressive lateral agility when healthy, moving very well for somebody his size and advancing to the second level seamlessly. His footwork and overall quickness allows him to counter speed rushes in pass protection and keep up with explosive defenders off the snap.

In addition to his quickness for such a big tackle, Niang also possesses plenty of power in his game. He plays with good grip strength when he engages with defenders, allowing him to seal off running lanes for his teammates and knock defenders out of place. He packs a powerful punch at the point of attack and drives his legs when engaged with an opponent. A two-year full-time starter who took over the starting right tackle spot in the middle of the 2017 season, Niang has plenty of experience as a collegiate starter, as well.

Weaknesses

Niang was shut down for the 2019 season in November with a hip injury that he had been playing through since the year before. The injury prevented him from taking part in Combine drills, so he’ll have to rely on the medicals checking out on him. Playing through that ailment had a bit of an effect on his 2019 tape, as he didn’t look as nimble and flexible in his hips while playing hurt. His ability to adjust his set points was hurt by the injury, too. He’ll have to prove that his athleticism will come back to full form upon recovering.

While he has impressive physical traits, Niang’s technique could be improved upon a bit. He struggles with his hand placement at times, as while he shows potential when he places his punches correctly, there are times he mistimes or is inaccurate with his punches. He could also do a better job of working on his pad level and consistently fighting to get leverage in the form of maintaining lower pads.

Projection: Day 2

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2020 NFL draft: Austin Jackson scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about USC offensive tackle prospect Austin Jackson

Austin Jackson | OT | USC

Elevator Pitch

Jackson has plenty of physical tools and the upside to develop into a quality starting left tackle at the next level. His length and top-notch athleticism for the position gives him palpable potential, but his lack of technique will cause him problems early in his career. He’s a boom-or-bust prospect whose upside could persuade a team to use a fairly early pick on him.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 322

College Bio Page

Strengths

There’s a lot to be intrigued about when evaluating Jackson’s prospects at the next level.

A lengthy tackle with a long wingspan and solid bulk, Jackson certainly looks the part of a starting left tackle in the NFL. He has an athletic frame that has room to pack on even more muscle. His long arms alone give him considerable range as a blocker, but his athletic ability aids that range even more so. Jackson is a smooth lateral mover who plays with promising quickness and great nimbleness in his feet when he moves. He has good counter agility and blocks with good body control.

Jackson accelerates well to the second level and takes good angles to defenders in down-blocking situations, giving him plenty of upside in zone schemes. He has flashed some potential in terms of his hand usage, as he can pack a powerful punch at the point of attack at times, and he has shown that he can play with quick hands when countering finesse moves.

Weaknesses

He has plenty of physical talents, but Jackson has quite a bit of work to do from a technical standpoint. His pad level needs some polishing, as he struggles with sinking his hips into contact and maintaining leverage consistently. He is guilty of lunging at times and can be knocked off balance fairly easily as a result of his own technical flaws.

Jackson doesn’t play with consistent hand placement yet and can get better at using his hands with more precision. They can also be a little bit quicker, as he can be a bit late to execute punches at times. He doesn’t have much of a nasty edge in his game yet, and he could be aided by adding a bit more power in his lower body to get better at driving defenders backwards.

Projection: 2nd Round

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2020 NFL draft: Prince Tega Wanogho scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Auburn offensive tackle prospect Prince Tega Wanogho

Prince Tega Wanogho | OT | Auburn

Elevator Pitch

A top-notch athlete for the offensive tackle position, Wanogho’s combination of size, body control and quickness makes him a prototypical developmental prospect for the offensive line. He has a ways to go from a technical perspective, but considering how far he’s come for a player with just one year of high school experience, the sky’s the limit for him if he gets coached up well in the NFL.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 308

College Bio Page

Strengths

The athleticism that Wanogho brings to the table for a 6-foot-5 tackle at 300-plus pounds is nothing short of impressive.

It’s a shame Wanogho wasn’t able to partake in Combine drills, because he likely would have performed well enough to catapult himself into Round 1 conversation based off of his upside alone. He is a very good lateral athlete who moves with fantastic agility in pass protection. He has a spring in his step and can cover plenty of ground laterally, all while managing to not overset his motions. Wanogho accelerates to the second level very well and has the quickness to move well in zone and reach-blocking situations.

Wanogho has shown that he has plenty of flexibility when he knows what he’s doing, as his ankles and hips both possess the ability to move around easily. His footwork is surprisingly polished for someone as raw as he is. He made an impact quickly in his football career, as he has two seasons as a full-time starter to his name, as well as half of a season starting in 2017. That’s impressive considering he not only played one year of high school football, but the one year he did play he spent as a defensive end. Plus, even though it doesn’t affect his draft stock, Prince Tega is an actual prince, as his grandfather was the king of his village in Nigeria, which is pretty cool.

Weaknesses

When it comes down to it, Wanogho is, to put it lightly, a work in progress. Though he’s shown growth throughout his collegiate tenure, his technique is definitely still raw. His pad level isn’t all that great, as he can struggle to consistently stay low and create that leverage with his pads to generate power in his lower body. He doesn’t have a ton of lower-body strength yet, either, as he struggles against speed-to-power conversions and powerful defenders.

Wanogho’s hand usage could be cleaner up a bit, too. He doesn’t consistently get his hands inside of the shoulders of his opponents, and he is occasionally prone to allowing defenders inside of his frame. He doesn’t pack much of a punch at the point of attack, and though he plays with a solid overall motor, he could stand to develop a bit more nastiness in his game. He might be better off landing in a spot where he can redshirt his rookie year before entering the starting lineup.

Projection: 2nd Round

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2020 NFL draft: Josh Jones scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Houston offensive tackle prospect Josh Jones

Josh Jones | OT | Houston

Elevator Pitch

Jones is a bit of a work in progress, but the upside he brings to the table is palpable. He’s an athletic offensive tackle with great length, body control and lateral quickness in pass protection. He blocks with a high motor and has shown in flashes that he can physically overwhelm his opponents. If all goes well, he should be able to develop into a quality starter on the blindside.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 319

College Bio Page

Strengths

Jones’ skill set offers plenty of potential to become a high-end starter in the league.

A lengthy offensive line prospect, Jones has very good height for his position and has the wingspan to possess good range as a blocker. He’s also a polished athlete with noticeable traits on film. He accelerates very well moving to the second level, and his lateral quickness in his kick slide in pass protection allows him to neutralize speed rushers on the outside. Jones is a flexible athlete who can change direction seamlessly and sink his hips with effectiveness, and he is capable of blocking defenders in down blocking situations.

He has also shown some flashes of improving technique over his time in Houston. Jones does a pretty good job of sealing off defenders and knocking edge rushers off their arc. His hand placement can be effective at times, and when he gets leverage with his pads, he wins his battles pretty consistently. He is also a determined player who can block with a nasty edge to his game on occasion. Plus, his four years of experience starting at the collegiate level should be appealing to teams.

Weaknesses

Jones’ flaws are for the most part fixable with good coaching, but those flaws could prevent him from being an immediate standout in the NFL. His hand placement and pad level need to be more consistent. He is susceptible to letting defenders inside of his frame from time to time, and though he has flexible hips, the ability to consistently sink them into contact isn’t quite developed yet.

Though a high quality pass protector, Jones could also get a little bit better against the run. His anchor strength, while improving, could still get a little better, and the jabs he unleashes at the point of attack aren’t always that powerful.

Projection: 1st Round

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2020 NFL draft: Jedrick Wills scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Alabama offensive tackle prospect Jedrick Wills

Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama

Elevator Pitch

A nasty, powerful blocker with ideal technique and intelligence for the offensive tackle position, Wills is a Day 1 starter who can make an immediate impact at either tackle spot. His well-rounded skill set and reliability as both a run blocker and a pass protector should have him drafted highly.

Vitals

Height | 6-4

Weight | 312

College Bio Page

Strengths

Wills does a lot of the important things right for an offensive tackle.

His technique is textbook, as he consistently blocks with his weight underneath him and manages to get leverage through his pad level on a regular basis. He does a great job of using his hands, timing his strikes well and generating plenty of power behind them. Wills’ hand placement is also among the best in this class: he regularly ends up getting them inside the shoulder pads of his opponents.

The footwork with which Wills plays in pass protection is ideal for his position. He has enough lateral quickness to keep up with quicker edge rushers, and he has very good body control in his shuffles. His motor also runs high on a down-by-down basis, showcasing the desire and ability to pummel defenders into the dirt. An intelligent zone blocker, he does a good job of executing his assignments and clearing lanes for his teammates by determining which defender to go after.

Weaknesses

There honestly aren’t a lot of weaknesses in Wills’ game.

Though solid in the athleticism department, his tape isn’t reflective of an elite athlete along the offensive line. His agility in the open field is decent, at best. He can be susceptible to stunts or moves to the inside when going up against athletic defenders.

Wills isn’t necessarily undersized, but his length for a tackle isn’t the best in the class. He has shorter arms for his position, and his height isn’t anything to call home about. That’s being rather nit-picky, as he should be more than capable of playing there in the pros, but it’s just a minor tick to an intriguing profile.

Projection: Top 10

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2020 NFL draft: Mekhi Becton scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Louisville offensive tackle prospect Mekhi Becton

Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville

Elevator Pitch

Becton is a physical specimen unlike any other offensive lineman in this class. His hulking physique and nasty edge as a run blocker is complemented by surprisingly nimble feet and impressive athleticism for such a big man. He has some polishing to do, but off of pure upside alone, he’s definitely worth taking early in the first round.

Vitals

Height | 6-7

Weight | 364

College Bio Page

Strengths

Well, for starters, he’s huge.

The heaviest player invited to the Combine, Becton is a hefty individual who also possesses stellar length for an offensive lineman. He’s not out of shape by any means, though; he carries the weight very well and doesn’t have much body fat on his frame. That size makes it anything but surprising to know that he’s an absolute mauler in the run game. He plays with a nasty edge, looking to annihilate the competition and drive them into the dirt. His grip strength is admirable, and the power with which he delivers his punches is downright brutal.

Becton isn’t just a massive brute, as the athleticism he brings to the table is palpable. Much commotion has been made about his 5.10 40-yard dash at the Combine, and as crazy as that speed is for such a heavy player, that athleticism shows up on tape. He’s surprisingly light on his feet and has good body control when moving laterally in pass protection. His straight-line speed is also apparent when he’s asked to accelerate to the second level and block in space.

Weaknesses

For as much upside as he possesses already, Becton is still developing as a blocker.

As one would expect for a taller offensive tackle, Becton’s pad level could be more consistent. His hips aren’t incredibly flexible, making it tougher for him to sink down and maintain leverage with his pads. He wins with pure strength and dominant force behind his strikes, but his pad level will need to get a bit better at the next level.

Though he’s an athletic big man, Becton’s body control could use some improving. He finds himself getting knocked off balance on occasion, and he sometimes ends up lunging when he strikes, making him susceptible to getting beat. And, while he carries his current weight very well, he might be better off losing a few pounds just to be safe.

Projection: Top 15

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2020 NFL draft: Tristan Wirfs scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Iowa offensive tackle prospect Tristan Wirfs

Tristan Wirfs | OL | Iowa

Elevator Pitch

Wirfs has all of the tools to be a high-end starting offensive lineman for years to come. From his brute strength to his impressive athleticism to his nonstop motor once engaged with a defender, his skill set has much to be excited about. Regardless of whether teams plan on playing him at tackle or guard, he should be an early pick in this year’s class.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 320

College Bio Page

Strengths

Wirfs garnered a reputation for being a weight room animal at Iowa, and when you turn on his tape, that’s not surprising to hear.

The three-year collegiate starter has a lengthy and muscular frame that is well-built with ideal proportions for an offensive lineman. His bulk translates to power on film, as he plays with powerful grip strength once he latches onto a defender. Wirfs has the raw upper-body strength to manhandle smaller defensive linemen and knock them off balance. Combining that power with a motor that runs high on every down, he has made his fair share of pancake blocks on the field.

Wirfs tested incredibly well at the Combine, leading all offensive linemen in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and broad jump. That athleticism translates on tape. He has above-average lateral quickness in pass protection, showing flashes of dynamic explosion coming out of his stance to nullify speed rushers off the edge. He has also shown improvement in terms of his ability to get inside hand placement over the course of his collegiate career.

Weaknesses

While Wirfs has shown impressive athletic ability, he can stand to do so in a more consistent manner. His lateral quickness is superb on some plays, but there are also some downs where he struggles to change direction. Playing with better composure is an area where he can improve.

Wirfs’ hands can be a bit slow at times, as he can get better in regards to the quickness with which he counters pass-rushing techniques. He can also overset from time to time, leaving him susceptible to inside moves. His wingspan is also pretty short for an offensive tackle, making it a possibility he moves to the interior in the NFL.

Projection: Top 15

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2020 NFL draft: Andrew Thomas scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas

Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

Elevator Pitch

Thomas has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber offensive tackle at the next level. He’s a more-than-capable athlete for the position and offers plenty of upside as a pass protector on the blindside, and his experience in Georgia’s run-heavy scheme shows when he’s creating holes for his running backs. A technically-sound blocker who does a lot of the little things right, Thomas should be taken early in this year’s draft.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 315

College Bio Page

Strengths

Thomas is one of the most refined blockers in the 2020 draft class.

The way he sinks his hips into contact and maintains leverage through his pad level is fun to watch. His footwork is ideal for the position, and he keeps a balanced base when engaging with defenders. He has improved at getting his hands inside the shoulder pads of his opponents, and the timing behind his strikes is consistent. The three-year collegiate starter plays with active and powerful hands and constantly fights to get the upper hand, no pun intended.

Thomas is a nimble lineman who can keep up athletically with most of the defenders he goes up against. His acceleration coming out of his kick slide is admirable, and he has shown that he can play with lateral quickness when shuffling or when asked to accelerate to the second level. If you’re a team who utilizes its offensive linemen in zone-blocking or reach-blocking situations, Thomas would be a great fit in your system.

Weaknesses

While Thomas brings upside as a technically-sound blocker, he still has some cleaning up to do in his game. His pass sets can be inconsistent, which can make him prone to allowing inside moves to opposing edge rushers. He is a good athlete, but his footwork could be smoothed out a little bit.

Thomas could also stand to bulk up a little bit. His anchor strength hasn’t reached its full potential yet, and he can still struggle with explosive pass rushers who can convert speed to power well at times. Doing that could help iron out one of very few flaws in his game.

Projection: Top 15

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