Offensive tackles the Seahawks should target in the draft

Seahawks target three: Jack Driscoll, RS Senior, Auburn

Driscoll is the type of player that you know exactly what you’re going to get when you pick him up. He is a low ceiling, high floor type player who could prove to be a day one starter. Driscoll transferred from the University of Massachusetts this past offseason to Auburn in hopes of receiving more recognition in the draft.

It appears the transition was a success. Since the transfer, he has been a day 1 starter for the Tigers and the move was seamless in terms of understanding and execution. This is why I believe he has true plug and play potential. The way he picked up the new offense and executed on the field is exceptional in such a limited amount of time.

Driscoll is not a typical prospect and will not check a lot of the more common boxes. That could also be said for Russell Wilson, Kam Chancellor and Chris Carson. Driscoll stands at 6’5” and weighs 295lbs making him the smallest of all the prospects.

Driscoll plays with a low center of gravity and has a heavy base making him very difficult to push back in a bull rush. His hand placement and body control are off the charts. He is an all-out effort player who will do anything and everything in his power to keep his opposing defender in front of him and his chest parallel.

His major draws I eluded to earlier pertain his overall refinements and movements. They are highly unorthodox and lack much finesse. However, they have worked well for him thus far and one has to wonder if they will translate to the next level. I would also like to see him gain some weight/  upper body strength. Larger defensive ends could take advantage of his smaller stature as is. These can be remedied through coaching, training and time.

The payer I see when I watch Driscoll, would be Packers tackle David Bakhtiari. In the NFL draft process, many scouts were uncomfortable with drafting Bakhtiari due to his small stature (6’4”, 299lbs), lack of refinement and upper body strength. Fast forward to 2020 and he is consistently in the conversation for the best tackle in the NFL and has been named to 2 Pro Bowls including one All-Pro nod. Often times, it’s not the player’s intangibles that make that player a stud, but the player’s heart and desire to succeed against all odds. I see that same trait in Driscoll, making him a low cost, very high reward player.

Player comp: David Bakhtiari

Round projection: third-fourth round