Michigan’s Jalen Mayfield could possibly be dominant blocker in time

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Main as much as the 2021 NFL draft, which begins April 29, Yahoo Sports activities will depend down our high 100 general prospects. We’ll depend them down in teams of 5 for Nos. 100-51, adopted by extra in-depth stories on our high 50 gamers, with assist from our scouting assistant, Liam Blutman. We reserve the proper to make modifications to gamers’ grades and evaluations primarily based on damage updates, pro-day exercises or late-arriving data from NFL groups.

Earlier prospect rankings: Nos. 100-96 | 95-91 | 90-86 | 85-81 | 80-76 | 75-71 | 70-66 | 65-61 | 60-56 | 55-51 | 50. OT Liam Eichenberg | 49. WR Terrace Marshall Jr. | 48. LB Chazz Surratt | 47. EDGE Joe Tryon | 46. OT-OG Alex Leatherwood | 45. CB Asante Samuel Jr. | 44. DL Levi Onwuzurike | 43. LB Jabril Cox | 42. DT Daviyon Nixon | 41. EDGE Ronnie Perkins | 40. LB Nick Bolton | 39. CB Ifeatu Melifonwu | 38. WR Elijah Moore

Here are how we use our prospect grades for the 2021 NFL draft. (Albert Corona/Yahoo Sports)

Listed below are how we use our prospect grades for the 2021 NFL draft. (Albert Corona/Yahoo Sports activities)

37. Michigan OT Jalen Mayfield

6-foot-5, 325 kilos

Yahoo Sports activities draft grade: 5.93 — potential starter

TL;DR scouting report: Inexperienced blocker with fascinating upside if he is developed correctly

Video games watched: Iowa (2019), Notre Dame (2019), Ohio State (2019), Minnesota (2020), Michigan State (2020),

The thin: A 4-star Rivals recruit, Mayfield initially dedicated to Minnesota however reneged as soon as the Wolverines provided. He appeared in solely three video games in 2018 as a reserve left deal with however preserved an additional 12 months of eligibility by not showing in additional. In 2019, he was a breakout performer for Michigan, beginning 13 video games at proper deal with and incomes honorable point out all-conference. Mayfield initially opted out of the 2020 season when the Massive Ten initially referred to as off its season however returned when play resumed, beginning two video games earlier than lacking the remainder of the season with a high-ankle sprain. Following the season, Mayfield declared early for the 2021 NFL draft.

Upside: Massive, athletic body — carries his weight effectively and strikes effectively on the sector. Has pure energy that may’t be taught, with room to get even stronger. Good ft to deal with stunts and blitzes, exhibiting the flexibility to get well and regulate late. Good preliminary quickness of the snap. Testing numbers don’t do his motion ability correct justice.

Good ft to deal with quickness and mirror speedy go rushers. Pure really feel for pass-blocking angles and retains his head on a swivel. Hardly ever appears caught off guard when defending the quarterback. Solely three sacks allowed in 500-plus pass-block snaps.

Efficient on the transfer — can achieve positioning to achieve block and switch defenders again inside. Good display screen blocker who will get as much as the second degree in a rush and usually can hit his marks correctly.

Michigan OT Jalen Mayfield is a player to watch if he develops. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Michigan OT Jalen Mayfield is a participant to observe if he develops. (Photograph by Michael Hickey/Getty Photographs)

Run-blocking prowess is clear. Combines quickness and energy to shoot and drive by greater base ends. Creates good working holes and may put his opponents in spots they don’t need to be. Fires off the ball, initiates contact and churns ft by contact. Efficient in hole and zone blocking.

Brings a bodily edge. Performs by the whistle and can canine defenders by the snap. Has the potential to be a tone setter for a line. A number of pancakes on his 2020 tape — seemed primed for an enormous season previous to damage. Confidence and defensive mentality actually got here out in these two video games.

Expertise at each OT spots and took apply reps at guard. Solely three profession penalties.

Younger participant with loads of room for development — received’t flip 21 years outdated till Could. There have been examples of previous Michigan offensive linemen lately (Mason Cole, Graham Glasgow, Michael Onwenu) who’ve turned out higher execs than they appeared in school.

Draw back: Middling testing numbers within the vertical bounce (28.5 inches) and 3-cone drill (7.86 seconds), and sub-par leads to the broad bounce (96 inches), 40-yard sprint (5.31 seconds) and brief shuttle (4.91 seconds). Shorter arms (32 5/8 inches) may end in a transfer inside.

Had some bother dropping an anchor at instances in 2019 — bought walked again into his QB’s lap a number of instances. Higher-body energy doesn’t seem according to his core/lower-body energy. May use a 12 months in an NFL weight program.

Will lunge and overextend — whiffs on some targets. Performs with a slender base at instances that may trigger steadiness points. Palms and punch timing may use a cleanup — misfires and mistimes his assault. Offers up his chest too simply.

May maintain higher on motion blocks — will let defenders off the hook often. Performs on his toes and will get out over his skis an excessive amount of. Was all out of types towards Ohio State in 2019 — spun by the blender a number of instances.

Inexperienced — solely 15 begins with barely 1,000 school recreation snaps. No recreation snaps at guard. Rawness and lack of management in his setup and method. May should be an OL coach’s pet challenge earlier than he’s prepared.

Greatest-suited vacation spot: Basically a one-year starter, Mayfield would have an awakening if he was thrust right into a lineup instantly. He is perhaps greatest served spending a 12 months as a swing deal with or receiving some work inside earlier than Mayfield is given a beginning shot.

Maybe a group that has 2022 free brokers alongside the offensive line (such because the Washington Soccer Staff, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints) may give Mayfield a redshirt season of types and obtain an even bigger return on funding down the highway. The Pittsburgh Steelers are additionally mentioned to be curious about his providers.

Do you know: Mayfield’s father, Brian, was a receiving tight finish in highschool earlier than transferring to offensive deal with at Ferris State, the place he performed from from 1989 to 1993. Brian additionally coached Jalen on each side of the ball rising up.

Participant comp: He’s bought some similarities to former Seahawks and Jets OL James Carpenter, who turned himself into a fairly strong left guard regardless of not at all times trying just like the prettiest offensive lineman.

Anticipated draft vary: High-60 choose

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