Andrew Gardner
OT Georgia Tech
- 6'7" Height
- 304LBS. Weight
Overview
Gardner earned his second consecutive first-team All-ACC recognition in 2008 despite missing the final four games following surgery on a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He had played through the injury most of the fall, which was no surprise given his streak of 48 consecutive starts up to that point. Although not particularly special in any one area, Gardner's sturdiness and dependability up front is not overlooked by NFL teams. Had an arm span of 34 1/2 inches and a hand span of 10 inches at the combine.
Analysis
Strengths
Strengths: Good height with adequate build on the edge. Plays strong, attacking his opponent through the whistle in pass protection by punching and continually extending his arms to keep his man outside the pocket. Keeps his feet moving, which keeps him locked on his man. Will go through the whistle on his man when necessary. Good movement to the linebackers, giving good effort to get his hands on quicker defenders in space. Effectively uses angles to direct speedy defenders around the play. Gets low on cut blocks, which he did quite often in Tech's option attack as a senior. Steady player, hard worker.
Weaknesses: Not the elite athlete most teams want at left tackle. NFL speed rushers may give him problems due to his average lateral movement and tendency to overextend or miss his punch. Inconsistent initial quickness off the ball. Needs to prove strong enough to play inside or on the other side of the line. Does not recover quickly or retain his balance after the initial hit while cut blocking, and sometimes whiffs on the cut itself. Struggles to sustain in space because he overextends and lacks recovery speed.
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| Grade |
Title |
Draft (Round) |
Description |
| 96-100 |
Future Hall of Famer |
Top Pick |
A once-in-a-generation type prospect who could change how his position is played |
| 85-95 |
Immediate Starter |
1st |
An impact player with the ability/intangibles to become a Pro Bowl player. Expect to start immediately except in a unique situation (i.e. behind a veteran starter). |
| 70-84 |
Eventual Starter |
2nd-3rd |
A quality player who will contribute to the team early on and is expected to develop into a starter. A reliable player who brings value to the position. |
| 50-69 |
Draftable Player |
4th-7th |
A prospect with the ability to make team as a backup/role player. Needs to be a special teams contributor at applicable positions. Players in the high range of this category might have long-term potential. |
| 20-49 |
Free Agent |
UDFA |
A player with solid measurables, intangibles, college achievements, or a developing skill that warrants an opportunity in an NFL camp. In the right situation, he could earn a place on a 53-man roster, but most likely will be a practice squad player or a camp body. |