The Senior Bowl allows top-tier NFL Draft prospects to display their talents against each other in front of NFL decision-makers. This year’s iteration possesses incredible depth at nearly every position. However, who are the top offensive tackles participating at the Senior Bowl, are what are their biggest strengths and weaknesses?
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2022 Senior Bowl Offensive Tackles
Here are the 11 offensive tackles competing at the 2022 Senior Bowl.
National Team
- Bernhard Raimann | Central Michigan
- Daniel Faalele | Minnesota
- Matt Waletzko | North Dakota
- Trevor Penning | Northern Iowa
- Abraham Lucas | Washington State
- Ja’Tyre Carter | Southern University
American Team
- Jamaree Salyer | Georgia
- Darian Kinnard | Kentucky
- Max Mitchell | Louisiana
- Braxton Jones | Southern Utah
- Spencer Burford | UTSA
Top Senior Bowl Offensive Tackles
There are three key boxes NFL evaluators check for offensive tackles in the pre-draft process: size, physicality, and athleticism. NFL teams typically want their OTs around 6’5″ with 33+ inch arms. Additionally, they want blockers who play through the whistle and finish plays strong. Lastly, ideal early-round tackles showcase lateral agility and the ability to block in open space.
Two potential first-rounders anchor the National Team
Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning and Central Michigan’s Bernhard Raimann are big tackles (both 6’7″) with mauler mentalities. Penning is routinely mocked in the early 20s thanks to his size, power, and ability to finish blocks.
Meanwhile, Raimann hasn’t received the same amount of hype. The Austria-born tight end convert has the required athleticism to thrive on the bookend. He is still a bit raw, having played left tackle for just two years of his life, but scouts will fall in love with his potential and moldability.
If a team strictly wants size at the tackle position, no one is bigger than Minnesota’s Daniel Faalele. The listed 6’9″ and 380-pound behemoth is nimble and can move quite well for his size. Nevertheless, Faalele must stand firm in one-on-ones against a stacked EDGE class. Ja’Tyre Carter hails from FCS HBCU Southern, so the Senior Bowl will be by far the stiffest competition he has faced. Regardless, his imposing punch and above-average athleticism should help him hold up well at practice.
Helmet scouting may lead some to compare Washington State’s Abraham Lucas to 2019 first-rounder Andre Dillard, but the two are very different prospects. Although Lucas is an experienced pass blocker (having played in Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense), he is stout in the ground game. North Dakota’s Matt Waletzko is a small-school project OT, but the frame and physical tools are there.
There may not be a Round 1 selection from the American Team, but there is obvious talent
Jamaree Salyer played every position across the line in his four years at Georgia. While he spent most of his time at left tackle, he may be best suited on the inside at the next level. Nonetheless, Salyer is forceful in all aspects, but quicker edge rushers may cause him problems at the Senior Bowl.
Another OT raised in the SEC, Darian Kinnard is a violent run blocker with mobility in space. Furthermore, he quickly recognizes stunts and passes off defenders in pass pro. Braxton Jones dominated FCS opponents while at Southern Utah. But he has the best traits on the American Team and could become a starter by implementing proper NFL coaching.
We close out the offensive tackles attending the 2022 Senior Bowl with two Group of Five stars. First up, Lousiana’s Max Mitchell. He has been a starter since his true sophomore year, bullying defenders at the point of attack. He is on the leaner side (6’6″, 300 pounds) but quickly seals rushing lanes and owns a deadly initial punch at the line.
UTSA’s Spencer Burford is an exciting prospect. He started all four years with the Roadrunners (first two at LG, last two at LT) and is only 22. Burford is athletic, easily flips his hips when needed, and always looks for work in the ground game.