DL Phidarian Mathis, Alabama
Strengths:![Alabama defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis (48) tackles Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford (24) in the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal game at the 86th Cotton Bowl in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.] College Football Playoffs Alabama Vs Cincinnati](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2022/03/USATSI_17435964-scaled.jpg)
Alabama defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis (48) tackles Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford (24) in the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal game at the 86th Cotton Bowl in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
–Outstanding blend of girth and length
–Will punch and separate with two hands or one
–Dents protection with bull rush or edge attackWeaknesses:
–Limited range away from home base
–Premature shed gives runners a shot to alter their track
–Takes a while to free himself from a sticky punch(Source: NFL.com)
DL Thomas Booker, Stanford
Sep 25, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive end Thomas Booker (4) celebrates during the first quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Stanford Stadium. Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Strengths:
–Good lower-body thickness from belt to boots
–Active lateral feet to get to more tackle tries
–Good athletic ability for a big manWeaknesses:
–Occasional struggles as play finisher
–Punch hands come in a little wide
–Needs to feel double teams sooner(Source: NFL.com)
DT Haskell Garrett, Ohio State
Nov 20, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Kenneth Walker III (9) tackled by Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Haskell Garrett (92) during the first quarter at Ohio Stadium. Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Strengths:
–Upper-body turn helps him get skinny through the gap
–Fairly effective wrist control
–Crisp two-hand swipe knocks punch awayWeaknesses:
–Bulldozed out of the way against his will
–Not a very sticky finisher as a tackler
–Very modest closing burst nullifies an early advantage(Source: NFL.com)
EDGE DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky
MTSU quarterback Asher O’Hara (10) gets sacked by Western defensive end DeAngelo Malone (10) and Western defensive tackle Ricky Barber (50) on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, at MTSU. (Helen Comer/DNJ via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
Strengths:
–Big, active hands slap away handsy blockers
–Thoughtful approach as a rusher
–Bendy and flexible to dip and flatten the edgeWeaknesses:
–Potential liability facing downhill rush attacks in pros
–Tackle strength could become an impediment
–Can’t displace pass protection with power(Source: NFL.com)
EDGE Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati
Tulsa Golden Hurricane quarterback Davis Brin (7) evades pressure Cincinnati Bearcats defensive lineman Myjai Sanders (21) in the fourth quarter during an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bearcats won, 28-20. (Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer/USA Today Network)
Strengths:
–Unexpected upper-body strength for his frame
–Inside/outside jab steps create edge openings as rusher
–Twist transitions come suddenlyWeaknesses:
–Size is a concern with slender hips and skinny legs
–Outside shoulder gets covered up in contain duties
–Inconsistent motor in backside pursuit(Source: NFL.com)
EDGE Tyree Johnson, Texas A&M
Sep 25, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Tyree Johnson (3) in action during the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas A&M Aggies at AT&T Stadium. Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Strengths:
–Quick response to capture contain positioning play-side
–Explosive get-off can rocket him around the corner as rusher
–Eye-popping bend and ankle flexion at the turnWeaknesses:
–Blocks land and stick to him for longer
–Needs to play with greater urgency from backside
–Hasn’t created a menu of moves and counters(Source: NFL.com)
Felger and Mazz Big Board: Offensive linemen in the 2022 NFL Draft
C Zach Tom, Wake Forest
Oct 2, 2021; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons offensive lineman Zach Tom (50) prepares to block Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Tabarius Peterson (29) during the second quarter at Truist Field. Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Strengths:
–Excellent intelligence
–Good base width and hip flexion into defender as base blocker
–Utilizes firm, independent hands in pass protectionWeaknesses:
–Slender through his waist and hips
–Needs to become more violent into contact
–Susceptible to push-pull technique(Source: NFL.com)
C Alec Lindstrom, Boston College
Sep 4, 2021; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles offensive lineman Alec Lindstrom (72) during the first half against the Colgate Raiders at Alumni Stadium. Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Strengths:
–Plays with good toughness and grit through combat
–Loves to take advantage of finishing opportunities
–Does a decent job staying connected on the moveWeaknesses:
–Could use more mass on his frame
–Comes off the ball too tall
–Will be outclassed by quickness(Source: NFL.com)
C Nick Ford, Utah
Dec 19, 2020; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes offensive lineman Nick Ford (55) prepares for their game against the Washington State Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Strengths:
–Sufficient athlete with regards to body control and redirect agility
–In the run game, he is nasty, has ideal block temperament, and plays hard from snap to whistle
–He has a sufficient level short set anchorWeaknesses:
–Needs to be more consistent keeping his hands in the frame
–Not necessarily a vertical mover on single blocks
–Can improve at getting good body position on a shaded defender after snapping(Source: The Draft Network)
G Cole Strange, Chattanooga
Feb 5, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; National Squad offensive lineman Cole Strange of Tennessee-Chattanooga (69) in the first half against the American squad during the Senior bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Strenghts:
–Excellent pad level off the snap and beyond
–Made for zone scheme with good lateral giddy-up
–Opponents struggle to unglue from his strong handsWeaknesses:
–Uses wide, corralling hands too often
–Below-average core strength and gets jostled at point of attack
–Allows hands to linger when punching(Source: NFL.com)
G Ed Ingram, LSU
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 05: Guard Ed Ingram #70 of the LSU Tigers in action against the Utah State Aggies at Tiger Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Strengths:
–Displaces the gap on down blocks with hearty shoves
–Upper-body twitch to smack a gap shooter
–Instincts to smell a rat with blitzes and twistsWeaknesses:
–Lacks desired girth through thighs and calves
–Backside blocks take on play-side leakage
–Below-average reactive movements in protection(Source: NFL.com)
G Spencer Burford, UTSA
Mar 4, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Utsa offensive lineman Spencer Burford (OL04) goes through drills during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Strengths:
–Wingspan measured at over 82 inches
–Basketball feet to catch moving targets on the second level
–Good foot chop to his set points in pass proWeaknesses:
–Narrow base as drive blocker
–Might need a developmental year to add necessary mass
–Needs to start rattling pads with a more physical punch(Source: NFL.com)
T Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State
Oct 30, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack tackle Ikem Ekwonu (79) warms up prior to a game against the Louisville Cardinals at Carter-Finley Stadium. Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Strengths:
–Wrestling and weight-room success show up on the field
–Transfers force from hips to hands to jolt and dislodge edge defenders
–Plays with an extremely violent field demeanorWeaknesses:
–Fierce but a little out of control
–Hasn’t been able to pair his hands and feet
–Lacks consistent fluidity working his combo blocks(Source: NFL.com)
T Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State
COLUMBUS, OHIO – NOVEMBER 20: Nicholas Petit-Frere #78 of the Ohio State Buckeyes plays against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Strengths:
–Above-average athletic talent with loose hips
–Maintains foot chop through the down-block
–Active, ready feet to match two-way go from wide rushersWeaknesses:
–Impatient and lurches with outside hands
–Plays with vulnerable outside hand and mushy inside post
–Needs more seasoning with angles and landmarks(Source: NFL.com)
T Kellen Diesch, Arizona State
Nov 13, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils offensive lineman Kellen Diesch (74) reacts to a snap against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Strengths:
–Low-cut with room for more mass through his upper body
–Core strength and body control look good enough
–Excellent fluidity pulling into mid-line lead or long pulls into spaceWeaknesses:
–Arms are very short for a tackle
–Protection busts against Oregon State’s mugged-up looks
–Needs to alter tempo for block adjustment in space(Source: NFL.com)