Tag: John Ojukwu

Titans’ top-3 candidates for right tackle job with Jamarco Jones gone

A look at the Titans’ top-three candidates for the right tackle job now that Jamarco Jones is gone.

The Tennessee Titans dropped offensive lineman Jamarco Jones like a bad habit and released him on Thursday after he got into yet another spat that led to his being tossed out of practice for the second time this week.

While the move to get rid of the problem child is certainly understandable, it does throw an already uncertain situation into even more turmoil.

That’s because Jones appeared to be the frontrunner for the job, as it seemed he was getting the most first-team reps in practice. Granted, he was a major question mark thanks to a lack of starting experience, but at least we had a handle on who might get the job to temporarily replace Nicholas Petit-Frere.

So, who are the next men up to consider for the starting job? There are three candidates to discuss, and one of them should be considered the favorite, although he’s hardly a lock.

Updated Titans 53-man roster projection after 1st week of training camp

Our latest Tennessee Titans 53-man roster projection after the first week of training camp includes five newcomers from our last one.

We are through one week of Tennessee Titans training camp and there are already some changes to be made from our last 53-man roster projection.

It has been an interesting camp thus far, with a ton of attention being paid to the quarterbacks, and in particular Will Levis and Malik Willis, both of whom are battling for the No. 2 spot behind Ryan Tannehill.

And, in the case of Willis, he’s battling for a roster spot altogether, although I think he’s done enough so far to keep him around in my latest projection.

A few undrafted rookies have stood out enough to earn themselves a spot here, but, of course, that doesn’t mean they’re completely safe with such a long way to go until final cuts.

Now, our updated 53-man projection based on what happened at training camp the first week. Players with an asterisk are new additions, and we’ve provided a write-up for each.

Note: Nicholas Petit-Frere and Dillon Radunz are not included because the former is suspended for the first six games and won’t count towards the 53-man group, while we expect the latter to start the season on the PUP list.

Daily camp reports: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4

Titans’ John Ojukwu a surprise early frontrunner for right tackle job

Titans 2023 UDFA and offensive tackle John Ojukwu was named as one of two players who will get significant early reps in the right tackle competition.

As training camp opened on Wednesday, one of the biggest surprises to come out of the first practice was 2023 undrafted free agent and offensive tackle John Ojukwu being named among the players who are getting significant early reps in the competition for starting right tackle.

Jamarco Jones was unsurprisingly named the other, which came as zero surprise since he’s been projected to be the in-house favorite since right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was suspended.

Now, that’s not to say it’s a total shock Ojukwu is in the running for the temporarily vacant starting role, but I don’t think anyone could have anticipated he’d be in this good of a position so early on.

Despite going undrafted, Ojukwu has been someone we’ve had our eye on, which led to his being named among the Titans undrafted free agents we believed could make the roster.

That was partly because multiple draft experts believed he should have been drafted, including our own Shaun Calderon, who wrote this about Ojukwu back in May.

Every year there are a few players who go undrafted that nobody really could’ve predicted, and John Ojukwu is undoubtedly one of those.

I personally had a fifth-round grade on Ojukwu, but there were plenty of others who were even higher on him than that.

Along with Calderon, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler placed a sixth-round grade on him, while The Draft Network’s Damian Parson was even higher on Ojukwu than Brugler, placing a fifth-round value on him.

When asked about the Boise State product after practice, head coach Mike Vrabel spoke glowingly of the 6-foot-6, 310-pound lineman.

“He was probably in the five years, or now going on six, going through that post-draft process of being excited, knew how we played, knew what our demeanor wanted to be,” Vrabel said, per AtoZ Sports. “He’s come in, he’s learned, he’s a smart player, he’s got good length. And so, he shows up and by being out there everyday, we tell them that they can do three things: they can improve, they can take advantage of an opportunity if it’s there and they can be evaluated. So, that’s where he’s at, just getting started.”

Ojukwu’s early rise is even more impressive when you consider the Titans actually drafted a tackle in the sixth round in Jaelyn Duncan, who was not listed alongside Ojukwu and Jones.

For now, it appears Ojukwu is ahead of the Maryland product and is someone we need to be keeping an even closer eye on as training camp progresses.

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What scouting reports said about Titans UDFA OT John Ojukwu

A look at what scouting reports said about Titans UDFA OT John Ojukwu.

The Tennessee Titans inked a slew of undrafted free agents after the 2023 NFL draft, and Boise State product and offensive tackle John Ojukwu was among them.

Ojukwu is an interesting prospect, as there were some experts out there who thought the 6-foot-6, 309-pound lineman should’ve been drafted, as you’ll soon see in our scouting report roundup.

The rookie will look to latch on to a Titans team that needs more options at backup tackle, giving him an avenue to make the cut.

As things stand now, Jamarco Jones figures to be the first player off the bench at tackle, but that job is very much up for grabs.

Along with Ojukwu, players like John Leglue, Andrew Rupcich, Jaelyn Duncan and Dillon Radunz (when healthy) will also be vying for the job.

In order to get more information on Ojukwu, we rounded up a bunch of scouting reports to see what experts had to say about the rookie.

2023 NFL Draft Profile: Boise State OT John Ojukwu

The Broncos tackle brings about as much experience to the NFL Draft as anyone out there.

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2023 NFL Draft Profile: Boise State OT John Ojukwu

The Broncos tackle brings about as much experience to the NFL Draft as anyone out there.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

A model of stability hopes to do more of the same in the pros.

The Boise State Broncos have a few prospects with hopes of hearing their name called in this year’s NFL Draft, but none have been at it longer than offensive lineman John Ojukwu.

A Boise native, Ojukwu chose to stay home as a three-star recruit in the Broncos’ 2017 class. Following a redshirt year, he became a mainstay in the offense with seven starts the next year, the first among 51 overall in which he was twice named a first-team all-Mountain West performer.

Now that his decorated career on the blue turf is in the books, he’ll hope to stand out in NFL war rooms among a strong class of offensive tackles.

Measurables (taken from Mockdraftable)

Highlights

Strengths

Physically speaking, Ojukwu has the makings of a starter kit for a NFL-caliber offensive lineman. While the spider graph above slots him in at roughly average height and build among tackles, note the hand size and shuttle time. Those have long made him an asset in run blocking and, as The Athletic’s Dane Brugler notes, enables him to make hay as a pull blocker.

Ojukwu also gets high marks for his work ethic, the product of which could not be more obvious than by observing his year-over-year growth: According to Pro Football Focus, he played over 500 snaps in his first full season back in 2018 and then improved his overall grade every single season he played on the blue, topping out at 75.0 last year.

Weaknesses

The flipside of having started 51 games at Boise State is that Ojukwu is one of the older offensive tackle prospects in this year’s draft class. NFL front offices may think he’s closer to his ultimate ceiling as a result and, fairly or not, hold that against him when compared to younger options. That worry could be compounded if he isn’t able to improve footwork which is described as “heavy-footed”, “inconsistent”, and susceptible to speed rushers forcing him backwards by various analysts.

Some of those same draft analysts aren’t certain that Ojukwu will be able to stay at tackle in the NFL, as well. The Draft Network’s Damian Parson, Pro Football Network’s Tommy Garrett, and NFL Draft Buzz all project him as a right tackle despite his experience on the left, while others like Brugler are more firm in their belief that Ojukwu will have to kick inside to guard to have staying power.

NFL Comparison

Taylor Moton

Draft Prediction

Ojukwu may not have the ceiling of past Broncos offensive linemen like Nate Potter and Ezra Cleveland, but it’s probably safe to say he has a pretty high floor as a prospect. Even if he starts his professional career as a depth piece, blockers with the right kind of body and a need to improve are always in demand. Expect that he’ll hear his name called on Day Three, sometime in the sixth round.

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One under-the-radar player to watch from the NFL draft’s six weakest position groups

We’re looking at one under-the-radar player to watch from the 2023 NFL draft’s six weakest position groups

This year’s NFL draft class offers high-end talent, but some positions offer more talent than others, including a tight-end group that could become one of the best we’ve seen in a long time.

That’s not an early-round need for Philadelphia; while edge rusher and cornerback offer the most depth, it’s not an overall deep draft, and GM Howie Roseman will likely look for elite talent in the first 100 picks.

With the selection process just one week away from today, here’s one under-the-radar prospect to watch from the draft’s six weakest position groups.

10 offensive tackles for the Eagles in 2023 NFL draft

We’re looking at ten offensive line prospects to watch for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2023 NFL Draft

The Eagles are a gold standard franchise in the NFL, and a significant reason for the yearly success centers around one of the top offensive lines in football.

Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson are both all-time greats and have been with Philadelphia throughout Howie Roseman’s tenure.

The Eagles GM drafted Jordan Mailata in 2018, and he made significant decisions by previously acquiring Brandon Brooks and Isaac Seumalo.

Landon Dickerson was a second-round risk, and he’s a Pro Bowl left guard and potential All-Pro who has transitioned from the center position.

Cam Jurgens was drafted to replace Jason Kelce at the center position, but the former Nebraska All-American could slide to right guard in 2023.

Philadelphia builds from the inside out, and the Eagles’ GM will indeed begin preparing to replace Johnson and possibly Mailata at some point.

With the NFL draft fast approaching, here are ten offensive tackles to watch.

One offensive tackle for the Eagles in every round of the 2023 NFL draft

We’re looking at one offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles in every round of the 2023 NFL draft.

The Eagles are set to retool the offensive line after losing a key contributor and a Pro Bowl-caliber starter in Isaac Suemalo.

The expectation is that former Nebraska center and 2021 second-round pick Cam Jurgens will slide to right guard.

Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman could decide to draft a more natural fit for the position to compete against Jurgens while adding more depth to the NFL’s most talented position group.

The Eagles have studs at the offensive tackle position, with Lane Johnson (RT) as the best at his job.

Jordan Mailata has Pro Bowl potential at left tackle and is a mauler and Jalen Hurts’ personal protector.

With the NFL draft quickly approaching, we’re looking at one offensive tackle in every round of the selection process.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 32, Boise State OT John Ojukwu

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Boise State offensive tackle John Ojukwu.

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.

David Bakhtiari is penciled in as Green Bay’s starting left tackle. At right tackle, it figures to be Yosh Nijman, Zach Tom, or a potential draft pick.

An offensive tackle that the Packers could target in the 2023 NFL Draft is John Ojukwu. The Boise State offensive tackle checks in at No. 32 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.

A three-star recruit, Ojukwu started 18 games at right tackle during his first two seasons on campus. The Boise native then transitioned to left tackle, where he started 33 games.

“Along with his physical traits and football IQ, he has been incredibly durable throughout his Boise State career,” Brady Frederick, a sports anchor for KTVB.com in Boise said. “He was the only player on the Boise State offense to start in all 14 games this season.”

At 6-6, with good length, Ojukwu looks like an NFL offensive tackle. He has a strong core and bends well at the knees to stymie bull rushers. He extends his long arms to stop edge rushers in their tracks.  He has quick feet to mirror edge rushers on an island. He has a high football IQ and is able to recognize how defenders are trying to beat him. According to Pro Football Focus, Ojukwu gave up zero sacks and 14 pressures this past season. 

“Ojukwu has a great mix of strength, size, and arm length to be an effective pass blocker,” Frederick said. “He also is athletic enough to burst off the line and square up with opposing rushers.”

Ojukwu’s athleticism shines as a run blocker. He has good short-area quickness to gain positioning and seal outside run lanes. He easily climbs to the second level and stays square to hit his marks in space. 

That athleticism was on full display at the NFL Scouting Combine when he posted the second fasted 20-yard shuttle among offensive linemen with a time of 4.52. Ojukwu also had the fifth-fastest three-cone time (7.52).

“Ojukwu’s athleticism and physicality shine in his run blocking,” Frederick said. “He is very quick and aggressive and effective at clearing defenders away from the ball and creating big holes for both running backs and mobile quarterbacks. Boise State’s rushing numbers on the season speak to his ability with George Holani posting 1,157 rushing yards on the season and Ashton Jeanty notching 821 rushing yards.”

Fit with the Packers

The Packers don’t need a rookie offensive tackle to step in from day one and start. As it stands right now the Packers have their two starters at offensive tackle on the roster.

By this time next year, the Packers may no longer have Bakhtiari and Nijman on the roster and it’s possible that they don’t view Tom as a long-term answer at tackle.

With his experience playing both left and right tackle along with his athleticism, and NFL frame, Ojukwu could be a potential target for the Packers on day three. 

“Ojukwu has a great mix of athleticism, football IQ, and leadership,” Frederick said. “He had the respect of his teammates to be voted a captain of this year’s team. He also was able to adapt to varying situations, offensive schemes, and protecting three very different quarterbacks during his BSU career. Most notably the seamless transition from pocket passing quarterbacks like Brett Rypien and Hank Bachmeier to the mobile Taylen Green. Another interesting note of this season was that when Dirk Koetter took over as offensive coordinator and Green was named starter four games into the season, they made an offensive change so that blocking formations were decided by the line rather than the quarterback so as to simplify the offense, and the leadership on the line was very effective to read the defense and make the right decisions.”

The Packers have a rich history of drafting offensive linemen on day three of the draft. With no pressing need up front, the Packers could opt to once again to wait until day three of the 2023 NFL Draft to address the offensive line.

Ojukwu checks all the boxes and could take a redshirt during his rookie season before stepping in at left or right tackle in 2024, while serving as a swing tackle his rookie season. 

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Full 7-round Eagles 2023 mock draft: First wave of free agency edition

The Philadelphia Eagles reload in the trenches with dynamic talent in the latest Eagles Wire seven-round NFL mock draft after the first wave of free agency

The 2023 NFL offseason is officially off and running, with several big moves being made before the beginning of a new league year on March 15.

With eyes looking towards the start of off-season workouts, Philadelphia is among a few teams with multiple first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Howie Roseman retained Fletcher Cox (DT), Darius Slay (CB), James Bradberry (CB), and Boston Scott (RB).

The Eagles added Rashaad Penny (RB),  Greedy Williams (CB), and Marcus Mariota (QB), potentially altering initial draft plans.

April’s draft will be used to help offset the loss of seven key starters or contributors that are joining other organizations, such as T.J. Edwards (Bears), Javon Hargrave (49ers), Andre Dillard (Titans), Miles Sanders (Panthers), Kyzir White (Cardinals), Gardner Minshew (Colts), and Marcus Epps (Raiders) who have all agreed to deals and will depart.

Using a PFF mock draft simulator, we again avoided making trades, choosing the best available player with all six picks.