Mar 3, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu (OL19) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The on-field workout portion of the 2024 NFL Combine wrapped up on Saturday afternoon. The final day of workouts saw the offensive linemen take the field.
This year’s offensive line group was a big one. 65 players at the position were on hand in Indianapolis. Centers, guards, and tackles all worked out together.
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Offensive line – especially tackle – is one of the biggest needs for the New England Patriots in this year’s draft. They could consider one of the elite players at the top of the board, but there are also a group of tackles projected to go in the late first/early second round range that could make sense with the 34th pick or via trade-up. However there was little consensus on the ranking of that group coming into the week, and the Combine can be a helpful event in sorting that kind of thing out.
Did it help the Patriots find their next starting tackle? Let’s take a look at the standouts from Sunday, focusing mainly on the tackle position.
OT Troy Fautanu, Washington
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 03: Troy Fautanu #OL19 of Washington participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Fautanu won the day before he even stepped on the field. There were questions about whether or not his arm length would hit the 33-inch threshold the NFL uses to distinguish between tackles and guards, but he measured in at 34 1/2 inches at 6-foot-3, 317 pounds. On the field, he cruised through on-field drills.
OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 03: Joe Alt #OL02 of Notre Dame participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Alt’s initial measurements came in great, at 6-foot-8, 321-pounds. However, his biggest ‘up’ came during his 40. He had a 1.73-second 10-yard split in the 40 and reached a speed of 14.14 miles per hour during the first five yards – the fastest of any offensive lineman in the first group. That kind of burst at his size is why he’s projected to be the first lineman off the board.
OT Tylan Grable, UCF
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 03: Tylan Grable #OL29 of Central Florida participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
During Eliot Wolf’s time in Green Bay the Packers tended to target athletic linemen, even if size wasn’t a major plus for them. Grable looks like that kind of player, with a 4.95-second 40 and a 1.69-second split that led all tackles. His 9-foot-9-inch broad jump also led the position. Grable measured in at 6-foot-6, 306 pounds with 33 5/8-inch arms.
OT Frank Crum, Wyoming
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 03: Frank Crum #OL13 of Wyoming participates in the broad jump during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Crum tied Gable for the best 10-yard split by a tackle at 1.69 seconds. He also ran a full 4.94 second 40 at 6-foot-8, 313 pounds. Another potential freak athlete at the position expected to go on Day 3.
IOL Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin
Mar 3, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini (OL09) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Bortolini bounced back from and up-and-down Senior Bowl with a great showing in on-field rills. He also ran a 4.94-second 40 with a 1.69-second 10-yard split. Those movement skills should show teams he can play guard as well as center, which should boost his stock towards the top of Day 3.
OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Mar 3, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon State offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga (OL24) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Fuaga did a lot to help his draft stock with his on-field work. While his testing numbers weren’t eye-popping, his short-area quickness moving in and out of pass sets was excellent for somebody 6-foot-6, 324 pounds.
OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 03: Amarius Mims #OL50 of Georgia participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Mims is a standout almost on size alone. He measured in at 6-foot-8, 340 pounds with 36 1/8-inch arms. He than rana 5.07 40 at that size, despite suffering a minor hamstring injury during his run.
OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
Mar 3, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Brigham Young offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia (OL65) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Suamataia has seen his stock rise continuously during the pre-draft process, and helped himself again this weekend. He really shined in the on-field drills.
OT Patrick Paul, Houston
Mar 3, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston offensive lineman Patrick Paul (OL55) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Another weigh-in winner. Paul’s measurements have him at 6-foot-7 1/2 and 331 pounds with 36 1/4-inch arms. With that frame and good baseline athleticism, Paul will be a very attractive option for a team looking for a project tackle.
IOL Jacob Monk, Duke
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 03: Jacob Monk #OL51 of Duke participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
With offensive linemen, the 10-yard split is a very valuable measurement. Measuring how fast a player runs the first 10 yards of the 40, it shows how fast linemen can explode out of a set stance, which translates to explosiveness and initial pop at the point of attack. Monk, who was a five-year starter at Duke and a two-year captain, led all offensive linemen in the 10-yard split by a good margin, clocking in at 1.66 seconds.
