2024 7th Round Pick - Nathan Thomas, OT, Louisiana-Lafayette
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Bill Shatner
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I'm guessing Thomas is gonna be groomed to replace Steele.
NoDak
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Not a bad pick for a 7th rounder. NFL.com had him projected as a 4th rounder.
Overview
Intriguing offensive line prospect with outstanding lean mass and above-average upper-body power. Thomas is a solid run blocker who lacks desired pad level but utilizes his hands and feet to help push defenders where he wants them to go. His footwork as a run blocker is much better than it is in protection, but a move inside to guard could help mitigate that issue somewhat. He’s capable of taking on lateral-blocking duties and has room for continued improvement. At this point, he’s a backup-level player but his size and run-blocking talent give him a real shot to move up the depth chart.
Strengths
Overview
Intriguing offensive line prospect with outstanding lean mass and above-average upper-body power. Thomas is a solid run blocker who lacks desired pad level but utilizes his hands and feet to help push defenders where he wants them to go. His footwork as a run blocker is much better than it is in protection, but a move inside to guard could help mitigate that issue somewhat. He’s capable of taking on lateral-blocking duties and has room for continued improvement. At this point, he’s a backup-level player but his size and run-blocking talent give him a real shot to move up the depth chart.
Strengths
- Adequate initial quickness to reach and seal blocks laterally.
- Works for proper positioning before engaging.
- Stays on top of his run blocks with connected hands.
- Responsive to slants with the ability to redirect and wash them down.
- Doesn’t allow much push when challenged by bull rusher.
- Lacks desired slide quickness and mirror to stay at tackle.
- Pass punch can become a forcible shove, sending weight too far forward.
- Could struggle to stay in front of rush counters at functional rate.
- Narrow base and high pad level as a down blocker.
- Linear run blocking allows some leakage out of side doors.
Bill Shatner
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Simpleton
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They really did an amazing job with the OL this draft, it went from being a big time fucking problem to potentially our biggest strength if we can sort out center.
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I agree with this. I think between Bass and Beebe one of them pulls the center spot and the other replaces Martin in a year.
NoDak
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If the rumors are true that Beebe can handle center, we just might have another top notch line in the near future.
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Well, yeah…Martin is half retired anyways.
p1_
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Beebe stole Hoffman's lunch pail.
p1_
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successor to Martin, high expectations.
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ravidubey
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This.
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I mean you can only keep so many offensive lineman. I'd rather keep this kid, Asim and Bass. You figure Hoffman probably makes the roster. So there is 9 O-lineman already. You keeping Chuma as your 10th? You can't really keep 11 with what we will need at RB. Maybe in a world where you could go thin at RB or WR but we can't.