Cleveland Browns 2019 NFL Draft Prospects: Offensive Tackles
By Shane Carter
Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
One of the more puzzling prospects is National Champion, Mitch Hyatt. He’s a four-year starter at Clemson, during which he won two championships, and was a unanimous All-American in 2018. However, he’s slightly undersized (6-foot-5 and 300-pounds), he doesn’t usually play with a lot of pop in pass protection, and too often tucks his head and goes to low in on run blocking.
He looks to me like a solid fit at right tackle, or even possibly could move inside to guard, but he would need to put on weight. Hyatt looks like could be a good starter for a team looking on day two. The Browns have a need at right tackle and this could be a nice second round pick.
Dalton Risner, Kansas State
Kansas State is known mostly for running the ball, rather than passing it. So it only makes sense that Dalton Risner is a refined run blocker.
Risner uppped his draft stock after the Senior Bowl, showing a lot of strength against power rushers. However, against speed rushers, he’s still raw in his first step off the snap and he’s not as fluid in his pass rush motion as one might have hoped.
At 6-5 and 309-pounds, he can play tackle but with his skills against slower lineman, and ability to run block so well, it makes more sense for him to kick inside to guard. He’s likely a day two pick but could end up being a really good player.
Brock Ruble, Toledo
The last prospect is probably a project player. Brock Ruble started his career at Florida State before transferring to Toledo as a graduate transfer, and starting for the Rockets.
He’s a daunting 6-8 and 320-pounds and plays close to how Orlando Brown played at Oklahoma; using his long arms and superior size to bully block on the inside.
However, he struggles is pass protection versus speed rushers off the edge. If he can get his arms on them, he’s usually able to lock the defender down but has a less than stellar first step off the ball and is beaten too often off the edge. When he’s able to cheat off the snap of the ball, he more often than not holds his own.
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Ruble probably won’t wow anyone with some athleticism. His size will get him looks, likely on day three or more than likely as an undrafted free agent. He’s a likely right tackle project but one worth taking a look at. If he develops well, then he could turn into a solid right tackle at the next level.