Is the Panthers’ next left tackle at the Senior Bowl? Previewing offensive line prospects
Unless the temperature is below zero and there is snow in the forecast, few experiences top viewing live football.
There is something tranquil about being close enough to hear pads popping, those exhausting breaths between reps, and all the in-between jawing among players.
Game days are fun, but secluded press boxes limit sensory intake. At the 2022 Senior Bowl, coaches, scouts, executives and media will gather in Mobile, Alabama, for a training camp-like week of practice. The top senior prospects from colleges around the country practice on two teams (National and American) during the week, and then play Saturday, Feb. 5, at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
On Sunday, The Observer previewed the top quarterback prospects, and while Panthers coaches and scouts will watch that position closely, there will be equal priority put on scouting offensive linemen. There are more than 20 offensive linemen set to compete in Mobile this week. The Panthers must study each prospect closely in hopes one or several can immediately help fix their leaky line, which allowed the fifth-most sacks in 2021.
Injuries, COVID-19 and performance issues forced Carolina to start 13 different offensive line combinations through 18 weeks. Right tackle Taylor Moton and rookie Brady Christensen are the only 2022 projected starters. The Panthers need at least one more guard, a tackle and probably a new center.
Let’s continue our Senior Bowl preview by highlighting some of the top tackle prospects
T Daniel Faalele, Minnesota
▪ 6-foot-8, 380 pounds
There is not a larger lineman at the Senior Bowl or in the 2022 draft than Minnesota tackle Daniel Faalele.
At 6-8 and nearly 400 pounds, Faalele possesses traits no coach can teach. Even more intriguing is how he moves with agility and natural grace usually reserved for athletes half his size. Credit his rugby background, though Faalele has only three years of football experience.
He’s still scratching the surface of his potential at either tackle position. Along with his inexperience, there are leverage concerns, but he’s too powerful for defensive linemen to push him back even when they latch underneath his pads. It’s nearly impossible to get around him, which makes his side very safe when throwing quick game.
Faalele should impress with quick-twitch redirects and run-game gap work. He crosses defenders’, faces well and can generate movement without pre-snap advantages.
His size, quickness and instincts should keep him at tackle as moving him inside would waste those natural talents.
T Luke Goedeke, Central Michigan
▪ 6-foot-5, 310 pounds
The best athletes in football play defensive line. Edge rushers Nick Bosa, T.J. Watt, and Myles Garrett terrorize opposing quarterbacks by manhandling lesser athletes at either tackle position on critical passing downs. That’s why so many collegiate tackles bump inside to guard in the pros.
Luke Goedeke is an example of that. At Central Michigan, Goedeke started two years at tackle after transferring in as a tight end. His history as pass-catcher shows on tape. Goedeke moves well for a tackle and would bring that vertical quickness inside for effective double teams.
He plays with excellent leverage, routinely working under defenders and driving them with his lower body. In the run game, he must improve his hands. He doesn’t use his hands well or stay attached to defenders. In pass protection, lateral speed beats him as he isn’t an effective mirror blocker.
Goedeke must show scouts he can play inside. If he does then he could project as a potential swing tackle depending how he fares on the outside playing his natural position.
T Braxton Jones, Southern Utah
▪ 6-foot-7, 310 pounds
Braxton Jones has the type of length scouts desire from tackles. It shows up on tape as well. Jones combines his 34-inch arms with nice vertical sets. He showcases both agility and physicality in pass protection, making him a rangy and savvy positional blocker.
His movements are fluid as he consistently finds good depth in his sets. Jones has no issues redirecting laterally and tends to recognize games and stunts. He also sorts out blitzes well. Speed rushers cannot beat him when combines his foot speed with active length.
Despite his aggressiveness, Jones is not overpowering. He’ll need an NFL strength and conditioning program to develop his impressive frame. Jones does not bend well yet. Adding flexibility will help him combat lower-leveraged defenders. His effectiveness at the second level is something to watch this week.
T Abraham Lucas, Washington St.
▪ 6-foot-7, 324 pounds
There aren’t many negatives to Abraham Lucas’ game. Like most prospects, he’ll benefit from adding lower body strength. At times he didn’t showcase enough power or bend at the point of attack. But his excellent range, length and footwork make him a promising tackle.
Against speed rushes, Lucas demonstrated patience in pass protection. He doesn’t overextend or waste motion as he sets. Consistently Lucas showed great depth in pass protection against the pass rush. He isn’t a great athlete, but can move laterally well enough.
He tends to win with his hands. When Lucas latches on he usually imposes his will at the line of scrimmage. Lucas is a tackle who can play either side. Teams will want to see him at left tackle first.
T Max Mitchell, Louisiana
▪ 6-foot-6, 300 pounds
Mitchell competed well against Power 5 schools this year in games against Texas and Iowa St. Scouts love seeing prospects produce against the best competition on their schedule.
In pass sets, Mitchell gains great depth and tends to beat defenders to their spots. He shows quality lateral movement and redirects well. Mitchell is one of the best mirror blockers in his class, which takes sound balance in both run and pass situations.
He attacks the second-level under control yet still with power. His hands are always intentional, landing inside chest plates and easily reset when hit with a counter move. He’ll demonstrate advanced pass protection skills during one-on-ones.
Mitchell played both left and right tackle at Louisiana. His position flexibility is a nice bonus to an already rather complete prospect.
T Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan
▪ 6-foot-7, 305 pounds
Rainmann has the flexibility and size that make him a no-brainier tackle prospect. He flips his hips with ease while redirecting defensive linemen. Though he catches too often, he did a nice job absorbing power rushers without giving up ground. His physical traits are enticing. Raimann demonstrates sharp footwork as a pass protector as his feet are rarely idle.
He wins with power while setting up effective second-level angles in the run game. He’s a great athlete with a ton of potential. Expect him to thrive at the Senior Bowl and leave Mobile as a prospect to watch as the draft process continues.
This story was originally published January 31, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
