In a 2023 NFL Draft offensive tackle class that’s known for its depth, the scouting report of Indiana OT Luke Haggard frequently falls under the radar. He may not be an early-round prospect, but Haggard is assuredly one of the names to know in the Day 3 range.
Luke Haggard NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Offensive Tackle
- School: Indiana
- Current Year: Redshirt Senior
- Height/Weight: 6’6″, 305 pounds
There’s something to be said about an offensive tackle who worked his way up from the JUCO ranks and went on to hold his own against Big Ten competition. With 2022 in the rearview mirror, Haggard can definitively say he accomplished that.
There wasn’t a large market for Haggard out of high school. But the product of Petaluma, California, was willing to do whatever it took to earn recognition at the Power Five level. He stayed in-state while hitting the JUCO circuit, suiting up at Santa Rose Junior College. There, he played for two seasons, became a captain again, and earned all-conference honors.
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After 2019, teams at the FBS level began to take notice of Haggard’s play, and he transferred to the Big Ten, officially joining the Indiana Hoosiers. Haggard played in six games in a COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, starting four at left tackle.
That would ultimately be a small preview of Haggard’s Indiana career. He went on to start 21 more games across the next two seasons, serving as a mainstay on the blindside for Tom Allen and company. 2022 was his final season and an adequate send-off for Haggard, who now looks to pursue his NFL aspirations.
Luke Haggard Scouting Report
Strengths
- Light-footed athlete out of his stance with the mobility to match to the apex.
- Has good recovery athleticism and can reset base laterally to maintain positioning.
- Has enough length to fully extend and prevent rushers from getting inside his torso.
- Able to turn and direct rushers outside the apex with modest hip flexibility.
- Flashes above-average knock-back power when he’s able to fully drive and extend.
- Displays good balance and footwork when tracking rushers upfield.
- Has good timing and synergy with his hands and can extend while resetting base.
- Able to chip interior defenders, then rotate outside and gather edge rushers.
- Can recognize stunts quickly and can replace hands after initial contact.
- Assignment-sound run blocker with football IQ and nasty finishes in space.
Areas for Improvement
- Frame is relatively lean, and play strength when anchored is middling.
- Proportional length is not elite, which limits reach against longer opponents.
- Non-elite proportional length puts a visible cap on overall power capacity.
- Bends at the waist often when driving off the line, nullifying base and power output.
- Plays tall and upright in space and struggles to manage pad level on the move.
- Hands and weight transfers can be frenetic off the snap.
- Appears stiff and tightly wound as a mover in space, and can struggle to open strides.
- Sometimes lacks balance when anchored and fully extended and can be tugged around.
Indiana OT Luke Haggard Current Draft Projection
Haggard grades as a late Day 3 prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. He’s not among the top offensive tackles in the class, but there’s a definite chance he could command a selection in Round 6 or Round 7, especially if he plays well at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
An experienced starter at left tackle, Haggard has a number of appealing qualities. While he’s not elite in any one area, he’s a good athlete with solid mobility in pass protection. He’s light on his feet, has solid length, and has the footwork to match rushers while resetting his anchor. He’s also a smart blocker whose awareness shows up in both phases.
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Haggard is a bit light for his size, and that naturally extends to a lack of elite play strength. He struggles to control his anchor at times, and with his tall frame, managing leverage can be an issue as well, particularly as a run blocker. He also lacks the proven versatility needed to inflate his stock.
Haggard will need to keep getting stronger, above all else. In pass protection, he can further refine his hand usage, and as a run blocker, he can be more consistent in aligning himself and maximizing power. That said, there’s enough mobility and power capacity here to suggest that Haggard can grow into a quality backup or spot starter on the left side with some development.