Tag: Blake Freeland

2023 NFL Scouting Combine: Biggest winners from Sunday’s workouts

Which prospects made themselves the most money at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday?

The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine concluded at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, as the offensive linemen and running backs took the field in front of all 32 teams.

Here are a handful of prospects who helped their draft stock during Sunday’s testing and on-field workouts:

One NFL Scouting Combine standout per position for the Browns to target

Which combine standouts should the Browns have their eyes on?

The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine has come to an end, and plenty of valuable information has been sprinkled onto the field and in interviews for the Cleveland Browns to pull from. From Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott to others, there were quite a bit of fits for the Browns that stood out during their time in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Who were they and how did they perform at the combine? Some old, some young as the Browns have proven to expand their age guardrail in the later rounds, here is one combine standout per position who the Browns should have on their radar as they look to get their roster back into playoff contention.

5 takeaways from offensive line day at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

The Commanders should have no problem finding help in the trenches next month.

The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books after the offensive linemen and running backs took the field on Sunday in Indianapolis.

While the quarterbacks and defensive backs received most of the headlines throughout the weekend, several offensive linemen helped themselves on Sunday.

The Washington Commanders need plenty of help on the offensive line and spent multiple evenings having formal meetings with several prospects. Offensive tackle Darnell Wright of Tennessee and center John Michael Schmitz of Minnesota were among those who met with the Commanders.

While you can’t really say an offensive lineman’s stock dropped because of his 40 times, we offer some thoughts from Sunday’s offensive line workouts.

Vikings draft prospects: 6 players that impressed at the combine on Sunday

The running backs and offensive linemen finished the combine in style. Here are the players that stood out the most

The NFL Scouting Combine kicked off with a bang on Thursday afternoon by starting with the defensive lineman and linebackers. There was a lot of intrigue with this group, especially at the top.

On Friday, we got the secondary players with the cornerbacks and safeties. This is one of, if not the, deepest class in recent memory.

On Saturday, we got to see the quarterbacks throw and the wide receivers run. Needless to say, they didn’t disappoint.

Sunday had the offensive lineman and running backs. It was a fun way to end the combine. Here are the six players who stood out the most.

5 winners from OL, RB workouts at 2023 NFL combine

On-field workouts at the NFL combine ended Sunday with offensive linemen and running backs. Which players stood out on the last day?

Every team can use an additional offensive lineman or two.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly working hard to try to keep their starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor from hitting free agency, but other NFL teams aren’t convinced they’ll be able to make it happen.

Either way, the Jaguars — like every other team — would benefit from adding depth up front.

On Sunday, the on-field drills at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine with the fourth and final group of players at Lucas Oil Stadium. With all eyes on offensive linemen and running backs, here are five players who stood out from the pack:

2023 NFL mock draft: Broncos select OT and OLB in 3rd round

Draft Wire’s latest NFL mock draft has the Broncos selecting OT Blake Freeland and OLB Isaiah Foskey in the third round.

In his pre-combine three-round NFL mock draft, Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling has the Denver Broncos selecting an offensive lineman and a pass rusher with their first two picks.

The Broncos do not own first- or second-round picks this year, but they hold back-to-back selections in the third round (Nos. 67 and 68 overall). With the first of those picks, Easterling mocked BYU offensive tackle Blake Freeland to Denver.

Freeland (6-8, 305 pounds) earned third-team All-American recognition last season after starting 13 games with the Cougars. He was a three-year starter at BYU and could potentially be a long-term right tackle prospect for the Broncos.

With their second pick in the third round, Denver adds Notre Dame edge defender Isaiah Foskey in Easterling’s mock. Foskey (6-5, 265 pounds) was a defensive end in college but he would presumably transition to outside linebacker if selected by an NFL team that runs a base 3-4 defense.

Foskey, a second-team All-American and team captain in 2022, totaled 20.5 sacks in his final two seasons (25 games) with the Fighting Irish. In a previous mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper had the Broncos selecting Foskey in the first round.

Denver has five picks to use in the draft his year, which will be held in Kansas City from April 27-29.

To view Easterling’s complete three-round NFL mock draft, visit Draft Wire.

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Unpacking Future Packers: No. 59, BYU OT Blake Freeland

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is BYU offensive tackle Blake Freeland.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft.

The NFL Scouting Combine is this week with on-field drills scheduled to start on Thursday with the defensive line and linebackers. The offensive line is scheduled to work out on Sunday and a player that could make some money is BYU’s, Blake Freeland.

The BYU offensive tackle was a three-sport athlete at Herriman High School and owns the Utah record in the javelin. During his prep sports career, Freeland was named to the All-State Track and Field team six times. Freeland’s parents both played sports at BYU and one of his four sisters competed on the track and field team for the Cougars. 

“Perhaps Freeland’s biggest strength is his athleticism for such a big guy,” Jay Drew, a reporter for the Deseret News said. “He moves his feet incredibly well, has decent strength, and is outstanding in pass protection. Freeland was a high school quarterback and tight end before coming to BYU at Herriman High in the Salt Lake Valley. He was also a good basketball player, making several all-conference and all-state teams. His BYU teammates say he might be the best basketball player on the team. That shows some pretty good athleticism.”

As a true freshman in 2019, Freeland started seven games at right tackle and started eight games at right tackle during the 2020 season. Over the past two seasons, Freeland started 26 games at left tackle. 

“Freeland had an outstanding career at BYU,” Drew said. “One of the best careers for an offensive lineman in school history. His time at BYU ranks right up there with some of the all-time greats such as Brady Christensen, Bart Oates, Trevor Matich, John Tait, and Mo Elewonibi. Blake became a starter in his freshman year in 2019, appeared in seven games at right tackle, and quickly made the position his own. In 2021 he moved over to left tackle and quickly excelled at that position as well.”

At 6-7 with long arms, Freeland has great length and is one of the most experienced offensive tackles in the draft. Freeland is quick out of stance and has the quick feet to hold the corner. The BYU offensive tackle has quick hands and uses his long arms to stonewall rushers. According to Pro Football Focus, Freeland gave up just one sack and 12 pressures over the past two seasons at left tackle. 

There are questions about Freeland’s functional strength. It’s worth noting that Freeland came to BYU at 160 pounds and worked hard to add muscle, and weight to his frame. He weighed in at the Senior Bowl at 312 pounds.

“Freeland is big, strong, and very athletic,” Drew said. “He has this innate ability to recognize quickly what defensive ends are trying to do and gets in the right position to stop them from getting to the quarterback.”

Freeland’s athleticism is on full display when he’s asked to get out into space as a run blocker. He has no restrictions on pulling or climbing to the second level. While not a mauler, Freeland earned his best run-blocking grade from PFF this past season (87.9). 

“Freeland probably isn’t as adept at run blocking as he is at pass blocking, but he is still more than adequate there,” Drew said. “He’s got decent speed for a 6-8 guy and occasionally would be used like a pulling guard because of his ability to get out and move.”

Fit with the Packers

All signs point to David Bakhtiari being back with the Green Bay Packers next season. Zach Tom has proven to be a viable option at right or left tackle, with the versatility to play anywhere along the offensive line. Yosh Nijman will most likely be back. The Packers also have Rasheed Walker and Caleb Jones on the roster. On top of that, Elgton Jenkins is always capable of kicking back outside in a pinch.

It would appear the Packers are set at the tackle position for the upcoming season. What about a year from now? Will Bakhtiari and Njiman be on the roster after next season? 

What’s Tom’s best position? With a cloud hanging over the future of the tackle position, it would not be shocking to see the Packers take an offensive tackle during the 2023 NFL Draft.

With his size, athleticism, and experience playing both left and right tackle, Freeland could be a day-two target for Gutekunst. 

“He is going to have a long, productive NFL career,” Drew said. “He’s got the aforementioned traits, but he is also a very good person with high character and work ethic. He’s going to give an organization everything he’s got. He’s got tunnel vision and isn’t easily distracted by anything other than climbing the ladder to professional football. His dad is a former BYU football player and was just named head coach at Herriman High. Football is in that family’s blood. They know what it takes to play at the next level and are willing to do it.”

Freeland has traits that can’t be coached. With Green Bay’s success in drafting and developing offensive linemen, Freeland could turn into a pillar on the offensive line at either left or right tackle. 

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Stock up, stock down from Senior Bowl National team practice

The National team had some standouts on Tuesday afternoon’s first practice. @TheRealForno breaks down his biggest risers and fallers

The Reese’s Senior Bowl is a place where all 32 teams and numerous members of the media congregate to look at the best senior NFL draft prospects. The Minnesota Vikings have a contingent down there and are trying to gather information to help them make more informed draft decisions.

During the week, it’s all about practice and seeing how the players match up against their equals and see how they handle drills. After the first day of practice, here are 10 guys that saw their stock go up and down on Tuesday.

SKOL Search: Vikings’ Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

Our first mock draft roundup of the season has the Vikings selecting 12 different players

Mock draft season is upon us and that means our mock draft roundup is back!

What we do every week is track the mainstream outlets mock drafts and aggregate how many times a player gets selected. Last season, we tallied up 173 mock drafts and only 10 of them were on offense. This season could end up being much of the same.

We will track them and try to determine trends and patterns, along with giving my own analysis on how they could fit with the Minnesota Vikings

 

Top OTs in 2023 NFL Draft as Browns look to replace Jack Conklin this offseason

Jack Conklin is set to be a free agent. Could the Browns find his replacement in the 2023 NFL Draft?

The Cleveland Browns may have to replace right tackle Jack Conklin as he is set to be a free agent this summer. Considering he almost retired a year ago, it is safe to say he will not be back in Cleveland in 2023 after restructuring his deal. As James Hudson has looked like a massive liability in the past few weeks, could the Browns turn to the 2023 NFL Draft to replace Conklin?

We have already tackled a series of draft-eligible defensive tackles, so now we move to another need in Cleveland. The Browns will not come on the clock until around the 40th pick in the draft, but could still fill plenty of needs with their plethora of assets.

With Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu (potentially the best in the class) heading back to school, who are the top offensive tackles in this year’s draft class? We take a look here.

One note before diving in: Tennessee’s Darnell Wright is a talented player, but one whose skillset translates better as a guard at the next level.

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