2021 Draft Board: Offensive Tackles
Go check out my 2021 Quarterback Draft Board article if you want to get more background information on how this all works. I’m just going to jump right into the top five and the board.
TOP FIVE
1) Penei Sewell (Oregon)
Analysis: Sewell’s average-ish pro day testing led to his 3rd-5th round grade, but I’d be nuts to not acknowledge that his blocking capabilities are what actually has him at the top of the Tackle board. I’m not going to overthink this one.
2) Teven Jenkins (Oklahoma State)
Analysis: My brother-in-law put me onto Jenkins when he sent me a link to a video of a scout discussing Jenkins’ film. This man has some nasty (in a good way) blocking abilities. He just flat out embarrasses pass rushers. His testing numbers got him that 1st-2nd round grade, but his film makes him my #2 Tackle and puts him into the first round for me.
3) Christian Darrisaw (Virginia Tech)
Analysis: No tests? No problem. Darrisaw’s tape speaks for itself. There are areas he needs to improve, but those are areas that can be coached up, which keeps his ceiling high. I also like the versatility he could provide. He has the size and length to move across most of the Offensive Line in the event he doesn’t pan out at Left Tackle.
4) Spencer Brown (Northern Iowa)
Analysis: Surprised to see an FCS player at four and five? I was a little surprised at the results too, but I really like Brown. Given his Right Tackle background that’s the side of the line he will likely play as a pro, but that shouldn’t lower his draft grade since both Tackle spots are so highly needed these days. The limited time spent at Tackle (he was moved to the O-Line when he got to Northern Iowa) shows that he could still be a little raw, it also shows that he’s not done growing into the position. He also managed to have an athletic test result that’s been a 100% success factor.
5) Dillon Radunz (North Dakota State)
Analysis: There were questions regarding Radunz’s athletic ability, but his pro day showed that the athleticism is there and his shortcomings in college should be a good coach away from being mitigated. For Offensive Tackles, the top two factors when looking for success are the 3-cone drill and the short shuttle. His 3-cone (7.27) was third out of the 21 Tackles I’m tracking that ran it, and his short shuttle (4.57) was tied for fourth out of those same 21 Tackles.
Sleeper: Tommy Doyle (Miami Ohio)
Analysis: Solid athleticism for a Tackle, with experience playing both sides of the line. Even if Doyle were to end up as a backup he’d still be a guy you want to have thanks to his ability to play either Tackle spot. Swing Tackles are coveted players in today’s game.
SURPRISING LEFT OFF
If you’re looking for Rashawn Slater, Samuel Cosmi, Brady Christensen, Jalen Mayfield or Liam Eichenberg you’ll need to look at my Interior O-Line draft board. The only guy left on my Tackle board that some may be surprised not seeing in my top five is Alex Leatherwood. Being an Alabama fan I do like Leatherwood, and he did receive a boost when his athletic tests led to a 100% success rate factor, similar to Spencer Brown, but I feel like Leatherwood’s ceiling is a lot lower than the five I ranked. I think he’s going to be a solid starter, while those five above have the chance to be superstars at a position that lacks a lot of high-end talent. I also think he has a higher floor than Brown and Radunz, so it really comes down to are you willing to take the risk on those other two guys?
DRAFT BOARD
* = Player has a factor that has led to a 100% success rate (so far)
My Draft Board
| Players | College | PSR | Rounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spencer Brown* | Northern Iowa | 36.4 | First |
| Dillon Radunz | North Dakota State | 30.8 | First |
| Carson Green | Texas A&M | 25.1 | First |
| Cole Van Lanen | Wisconsin | 25.1 | First |
| Alex Leatherwood* | Alabama | 24.2 | First-Second |
| Teven Jenkins | Oklahoma State | 23.6 | First-Second |
| Tommy Doyle | Miami (OH) | 24.2 | Second-Third |
| Walker Little | Stanford | 21.8 | Second-Third |
| Dan Moore Jr. | Texas A&M | 21.8 | Second-Third |
| Landon Young | Kentucky | 21.2 | Second-Third |
| D'Ante Smith | ECU | 21.8 | Third-Fifth |
| Penei Sewell | Oregon | 18.5 | Third-Fifth |
| Stone Forsythe | Florida | 18.5 | Third-Fifth |
| William Sherman | Colorado | 18.5 | Third-Fifth |
| Royce Newman | Ole Miss | 18.5 | Third-Fifth |
| Christian Darrisaw | Virginia Tech | X | Fourth-Sixth |
| Josh Ball | Marshall | 18.5 | Fourth-Sixth |
| Jaylon Moore | Western Michigan | 18.5 | Fourth-Sixth |
| Robert Jones | Middle Tennessee State | 15.9 | Fifth-Seventh |
REMOVED FROM DRAFT BOARD
For each position there are players who either had a red flag in their college production or athletic testing (or both) that led to them being removed from my draft board. These are referred to as negative factors and can lead to one of two labels: Depleted or Empty. In order for a player to receive a Depleted label, they had to have a negative factor that significantly decreased the chances of success in players who had that same factor from 2009-2018. In order for a player to receive an Empty label, they had to have a negative factor that led to zero successful players who had that same factor from 2009-2018. There was only one Tackle removed from my board (the guys with the shorter arms were moved to Guard).
Alaric Jackson (Iowa) - Depleted
