DRAFT TRACKER 2023

Skoronski spent his college years manning the quarterback’s blindside at tackle, but the body type and skill set are begging for a move to guard, where he can play his best football as a pro. He’s broad across his upper and lower body, but he has short arms. Skoronski plays with a deft blend of technique, feel and power as a run blocker and is capable of thriving in any run-blocking scheme. His lack of length can be a problem against stab-and-charge bull rushers and edge speed, but a move inside would mitigate those concerns. If Skoronski can get his protection anchor sorted out, he has the run-blocking talent to become an instant starter and a top-flight guard.

Ultra-athletic tackle prospect with the size, length and potential to develop into a plus starter on the left side. Jones’ frame and technique both are in the developmental phase. His entry into block fits can be a little disjointed. He needs to improve his punch accuracy and timing to make the most of his length in pass protection. Jones is very talented at working into space and landing a block to help spring the running game. He has the nimble feet to mirror or recover against the rush. Jones isn’t a finished product, but the physical and athletic gifts allow for a projection as a good, long-time starter.

Right tackle prospect who used his size and power to overcome athletic limitations and spotty technique on the collegiate level. The tape can be a little uneven for Wright with poor block finishes followed up by aggressive pancakes. He played with much better body control and footwork in 2022, though. Wright is capable of staying at right tackle at the next level provided he’s given protection help from time to time. While he was often a positional blocker at Tennessee, he’s a very talented drive blocker when allowed to fire out. There will be inconsistent outings, but Wright should develop into a decent starting tackle with the potential to kick inside if necessary.

Long, athletic tackle in need of additional technique work but possessing the traits to become a long-time starter on the left side. Johnson is still filling out his frame and he should get stronger. He’s much better as a move blocker than man blocker but he can bridge that gap with more coaching. He’s loose and quick in pass protection but will need to add core strength and get better with inside hands to prevent edge defenders from bypassing his anchor. Johnson’s athletic tools and position versatility are advantageous but the going could be a little bumpy early on before he settles in.

Mauch’s two front teeth are missing (they were knocked out during a junior high basketball game) and he wears a big mop of shoulder-length red hair, so you get the sense you are about to watch a hockey player on turf when you turn on the game tape. As expected, Mauch is a rugged player with an attacking demeanor who does his most consistent work as a drive blocker in the run game. Inconsistent footwork in pass protection and below average arm length could foreshadow a move inside to guard, where he is capable of competing for a starting job as a scheme-versatile tough guy.

Massive right tackle with rare length but limited athleticism that impacts his consistency. Defenders accustomed to winning with power will need to switch up their approach against Jones. His physical traits help cover up some of his athletic deficiencies, while his power can be better unleashed with accurate hand strikes and a run scheme tailored to what he does best. The former high school basketball standout has decent slide quickness in protection but is unable to find his feet when attempting to match inside counters or stall out gaming fronts. Jones is a work in progress with holes that will have to be covered up with scheme help, but he should become a starting right tackle if he maintains the playing weight his team desires.

Collegiate left tackle with good size and length, but average athletic traits. Harrison is self-aware and does a nice job of utilizing his strengths to mask his weaknesses. He has a feel for pocket depth and uses his length and an inside-out approach to get the job done, but NFL speed could have him scrambling without help. Harrison lacks the pop and drive of a plus run blocker and is better at neutralizing opponents with proper positioning. There are some limitations athletically and it won’t always look fluid, but Harrison has the demeanor and football savvy to get the job done as a starter in time.

Three-year starter and team captain with NFL size, toughness and athletic qualities. Fisher bullied his level of competition on a regular basis. He’s thick and powerful with the clinch strength and balance to sustain blocks through contact, but a move up in competition will surely test him right out of the gate. Fisher plays with more advanced elements of pass protection than is typical of his level of competition. His lateral quickness and athleticism should have him set as a move blocker and when mirroring athletic rushers in protection. Fisher has the traits and talent to slide from tackle to guard and become a solid NFL starter.

Warren possesses the size and length that teams are looking for from the tackle position. He plays too upright, which diminishes his effectiveness as a move blocker and in pass protection, but he’s capable in both areas. He can discombobulate pass rushers with well-timed, independent hands that help maximize his length with punching. He can be tardy sliding his feet into position as a run blocker and in protection, which can lead to holding and a lack of power to redirect. He’s a better pass protector than run blocker at this stage, but he could hear his name called in the middle rounds with a chance to become a swing tackle or low-end starter in the future.

Richards is thick-hipped with good lower-body power fueling above average drive-blocking potential. He clears space when he’s centered into opponents, but he lacks the body control and hand consistency to do so on a regular basis. Pass protection concerns will be diminished with a move inside, but there will still be work needed when it comes to getting his feet in position to slow interior rushers. Richards’ drive blocking and potential position versatility give him a shot at a backup role with upside.

A sky-scraping tackle prospect with outstanding length and good fluidity, Freeland should get much stronger with time in an NFL weight room. He is an effort-based run blocker who has to really crank up the work rate and technique to try to overcome his leverage disadvantages due to his height. He plays with decent technique in protection and does a nice job of battling through adversity inside the rep. However, he might lack the bend and range to get out and redirect speedy edge-benders. Freeland is an unfinished product with a modest ceiling as a pro.

Steen began his career as a defensive tackle at Vanderbilt and ended it as a starting left tackle at Alabama. He’s a vertical pass-setter who plays with good awareness to twists and blitzes. Steen uses length and hand resets to extend his mirroring. He would benefit from better catch-and-clamp hands to limit secondary rush opportunities. He plays with hustle off the snap to find back-side positioning on zone blocks, but he needs to eliminate his forward lean in space to improve timing and adjustments at the second level. Steen has good size with average athleticism and is still fine-tuning technique. He could compete for a role as a swing backup early on but could find starting snaps in time.

Highly athletic four-year starter at left tackle who might have the best chance to stick in the league as a zone-scheme guard. It’s easy to love the athletic flashes, but it’s challenging to love the complete body of work when studying the game tape. Duncan rarely plays with enough finish and his man is frequently near the final action because of it. He has the foot speed to protect as a left tackle, but his ability to anchor is a major concern. His lateral quickness should work to his advantage as a move blocker, but he’ll need to unearth enough grit to stand up to NFL bullies at the point of attack to make it.

Morris is an athletic pass-setter with a strong inside hand but lacks a desired level of core strength to effectively push back against rush bullies. He’s very average at getting to positioning for back-side cut-off blocks in the run game and struggles to stay connected to sustain blocks due to inconsistent hand placement and drive strength in his lower half. His physical profile and experience starting at both tackle spots should give him a leg up in a camp battle for a swing tackle role.

A three-year starter and two-time national champion, McClendon has been a hardworking team leader at Georgia. His intangibles, however, are countered by a lack of ideal size, length and athleticism as either a tackle or a guard. McClendon needs to get stronger and will always have issues finding success too far away from home base, but he works to the whistle and has enough pass protection savvy for multi-positional consideration as a backup.

Feisty tackle-to-guard prospect who plays with the desired mindset and tenacity that evaluators will love. Evans is a hardworking run blocker with strong hands and ample leg drive but fails to create consistent leverage at the point of attack. He’s a willing combatant in both the run and pass game but lacks consistent body control and hand usage. He has the potential to be a make-it player, but the pass protection must significantly improve.

Durable and dependable, Gouraige has logged 42 career starts splitting time between tackle and guard. While he has started at left tackle over the last two seasons, teams might be more inclined to bump him inside due to a lack of desired length. He’s instinctive and plays with sound technique, but he could struggle when matched with size and power across from him. Gouraige’s pass protection experience at tackle should benefit him, but athletic limitations might ultimately cap his draft value and career ceiling.

Two-year starter at left tackle for a unit that won consecutive Joe Moore Awards (best offensive line in college football). He’s tall and plays with good technique and strong hands, but Hayes is missing functional length as a tackle. He tough at the point of attack and gets into space with athletic movements but he plays with a slightly elevated pad level that could slow a transition inside to guard. He’s solid in pass protection, but he plays with an average anchor and might not have the range to keep speed rushers from tormenting the pocket. He could become an average player at tackle or guard in the pros.

College tackle with the build and skill set that would make him a better fit at guard in the NFL. Ojukwu has played a tremendous amount of college football and has a solid understanding of fundamentals. He uses big hands and long arms to jar and displace opponents at the point of attack, but it can break down quickly for him when he’s forced to operate in space as a run blocker or in pass protection. Ojukwu’s athletic limitations are balanced out by his size and power. He should compete for a roster spot as a late Day 3 selection.

Athletic tackle who currently offers more in pass protection than he does as a run blocker. Bostic has quick feet and good length, but he lacks play strength in his upper half. He’s quick to the spot as a lateral blocker and is smooth when asked to pull. He has trouble neutralizing and sustaining base blocks in front of him and doesn’t play with enough grit at the point of attack. His pass protection features a quality mirror and good redirection against athletic rushers, but he’ll need to sit and anchor more consistently to earn a role as an NFL swing tackle.

Finesse run blocker with agility, foot quickness and a feel for angles to carry his zone-scheme experience into the pros. Galvin is a scheme-specific blocker due to his lack of drive power and in-line block sustain. He might find that teams prefer him as an interior blocker due to his lack of desired arm length. He has plenty of body control and athleticism to pass protect against active pass rushers, but his lack of edge firmness and core strength will be a concern when he’s forced to match up against bull rushers. Galvin should offer both swing tackle and guard value, which should bolster his draft stock.

Wagner has rare size and length at the tackle position, with much better play strength than we typically see from tackles of his height. He uses his long arms to punch with independent hands, using well-timed strikes to keep rushers out of rhythm. A lack of foot agility leaves him susceptible to inside moves and counters both as a pass protector and run blocker. His overall ability in pass pro plays to his favor, but the run blocking is subpar. Wagner is a right tackle-only prospect but pass protection is very valuable in the league, which gives him a chance to make a roster.

Witt’s athletic testing was off the charts and it helps that teams recognize he is still filling out his long frame. The tight end convert has only been at the tackle position for one full season, so teams understand he’s going to be behind from an instinct and technique standpoint. He’ll need to make progress as a Year 1 practice squad candidate for teams to continue the investment. He’s nowhere near ready to play pro football, but he will be a coveted free agent if he goes undrafted given his traits and athleticism.

The former four-star recruit has the size and length to receive consideration from NFL teams, but he still needs technique work and must improve his hand efficiency. Telfort is an adequate athlete, but his body control might always be below average. There are enough positives as both a run and pass blocker that a team might be willing to buy in and give him a chance as a Day 3 selection.

Palczewski has played his fair share of football games. The experience shows with his poise and understanding of assignments on each snap. He’s quick out of his stance and does a nice job of making blocks in space, but lacks the functional power to sustain blocks against power on a consistent basis. He needs to get bigger and stronger to stick around in the league.

If the long-armed, high-cut offensive tackle is to have a chance in the league, it will be because of his pass-protection potential. Reid does a nice job of utilizing his length to punch and stay connected to rushers, but his lack of upper-body and hand strength are major liabilities at the point of attack and against power rushers. Reid is a decent athlete but needs to become much stronger in his core to improve his balance and body control. He appears to lack the polish to make an NFL roster early on but has some developmental traits that might warrant a stint on a practice squad.

Haggard will need to add mass and substantially more core strength if he is to have a real shot as a pro tackle. His technique and talent are fairly solid in both phases of his position. He’s more of a positional blocker than drive blocker, but he does have the body control to put up a fight as a run blocker. He’s short-armed for a tackle, but he has decent foot quickness and hip bend for recoveries. However, he’s frequently rolled into the pocket. NFL power rushers will defeat him unless he becomes stronger and has a much better anchor.

Powerful lineman whose lack of instincts and technique could make him a candidate for the practice squad as the jump-off point for his career. Aumavae-Laulu has the physical traits teams look for but lacks consistency with his hands and body composure getting into blocks. His odds of roster success will be much higher at the guard position, where he has enough athletic ability and power to potentially fit a wide variety of run schemes while creating better matchups for him in protection.

His temperament and grit play to his advantage and he’s rarely outworked, but Hodges’ athletic limitations will be challenging to overcome. He’s not a heavy mover, but he’s not much of a bender and has trouble sustaining against plus talent across from him. His footwork gets sloppy in pass protection, but that could be improved once he settles in as a guard. He might not be a long-term answer for a team, but he possesses attributes that could give him a chance.

Developmental project with good size and length. Barrow will require a tear down and rebuild from a technique standpoint. He is light on his feet, but he plays with a lack of bend and a base that is often too narrow. He won’t be much of a drive blocker due to his lack of leverage, but he does show the ability to get into outside space or up to the second level with some success. His pass protection isn’t good enough for pro ball yet, but he might get a chance to hang around on a practice squad for additional development.

College tackle who’s likely to move inside to guard in the NFL. O’Neal is a much smoother pass protector than run blocker. He has inconsistent body control and sloppy hand usage as a run blocker, but he’s confident in pass sets, showing consistent punch timing. He plays with a desire to win on every snap but doesn’t appear to have the skill set to do so as a pro.

A tackle prospect with NFL measurables, Wilson lacks the agility and short-area quickness needed to play outside as a pro. He dominated against inferior competition at times, but he failed to bulldoze opponents due his upright posture in the run game. He will need to become more limber to improve his pass slides and run-blocking consistency, but he faces an uphill battle to make a team even if he becomes a better performer in those areas.

Sorsdal spent his college days at tackle but will need to prepare for life as an interior lineman due to his lack of length. He is athletic with good lateral movement and fits a zone-scheme rushing attack. He lacks power and natural core strength, though. Sorsdal will need to get bigger and stronger as bull-rushers had some success bouncing him back into the pocket at times.

Swoboda is a three-year starter at right tackle with rare size that can often work against him due to his high center of gravity. On tape, he has heavy feet and struggles to move them quickly enough to keep pace with athletic movements. However, at his pro day testing, he performed fairly well at the same task. He will need to alter his approach in pass protection with better posture and more efficient hands and feet to overcome the deficiencies he shows on tape.

Long-limbed offensive tackle who will need to bump inside to guard at the next level. Caldwell is raw with his technique and his short-area foot quickness can be very spotty at times. He has the length that coaches like to work with, but without better upper-body power and/or athletic ability, it will be hard for him to make an NFL roster.