The Art of Drafting Offensive Tackles: Protecting the Blind Side

NFL Draft

The Art of Drafting Offensive Tackles: Protecting the Blind Side

In the world of American football, offensive tackles play a critical role in protecting the quarterback’s blind side, ensuring their safety and allowing them enough time to make accurate passes. The art of drafting offensive tackles is a complex process that requires careful evaluation of a player’s physical attributes, technique, and mental acuity. This article will delve into the essential qualities teams look for when selecting offensive tackles, providing valuable insights into the strategies and considerations involved in building a strong offensive line.

The Importance of Offensive Tackles

The role of offensive tackles in football

In the game of football, offensive tackles play a crucial role in protecting the quarterback and creating opportunities for the offense. They are positioned on the edges of the offensive line, with one tackle on each side. The primary responsibility of offensive tackles is to block and defend against the opposing team’s defensive ends or outside linebackers. Their main objective is to prevent these defenders from reaching the quarterback, thus allowing the quarterback to have enough time to make accurate passes or hand off the ball to running backs.

The blind side and its significance

One of the key reasons offensive tackles hold immense importance is their role in protecting the blind side of the quarterback. The blind side refers to the side of the quarterback that is opposite to their throwing arm. For right-handed quarterbacks, the blind side is typically the left side, and vice versa for left-handed quarterbacks. Since quarterbacks need sufficient time to read the field and make plays, it is crucial to have a skilled offensive tackle guarding their blind side. This ensures that defenders cannot approach the quarterback from behind, reducing the risk of blindside hits, fumbles, or injuries.

The impact of a skilled offensive tackle

A skilled offensive tackle can greatly impact the success of the offense. Their agility, strength, and technique are vital in fending off aggressive defensive players who aim to sack the quarterback or disrupt offensive plays. A proficient offensive tackle not only provides a physical barrier against defenders but also possesses the ability to quickly react to the opponent’s moves and adjust their blocking strategy accordingly. Their presence on the offensive line instills confidence in the quarterback, allowing them to focus on reading the defense and executing plays without constantly worrying about their blind side being vulnerable.

Moreover, a skilled offensive tackle opens up opportunities for the offense to execute various plays. With a reliable tackle in place, the offensive coordinator has the flexibility to call longer passing plays, as they can trust that the quarterback will have enough time to go through their progressions and locate open receivers downfield. Furthermore, offensive tackles also play a crucial role in establishing a running game. They create gaps and lanes for running backs to exploit, leading to successful rushing plays and gaining valuable yards.

In conclusion, offensive tackles hold immense importance in football. Their role in protecting the quarterback’s blind side, their impact on the overall success of the offense, and their ability to execute various plays make them a vital component of any team. Teams that invest in skilled offensive tackles often reap the rewards of a well-protected quarterback and a highly efficient offense.

Qualities of an Elite Offensive Tackle

Size and Strength Requirements

To be an elite offensive tackle, players must possess a combination of size and strength that allows them to dominate on the field. Typically, offensive tackles are some of the largest players on a football team, standing at around 6’5" to 6’8" and weighing between 300 and 350 pounds. This size provides them with the necessary physicality to handle the powerful defensive linemen they face.

In terms of strength, offensive tackles need to have exceptional upper body strength to engage with opponents and hold their ground. They should be able to deliver powerful punches to disrupt the pass rush and create running lanes for their teammates. Additionally, lower body strength is crucial for maintaining balance and anchor against bull rushes from defensive linemen.

Techniques for Effective Pass Blocking

Pass blocking is a critical skill for offensive tackles as they play a crucial role in protecting the quarterback’s blind side. To excel in pass blocking, offensive tackles must employ various techniques and strategies:

  1. Footwork: Agile footwork is essential for offensive tackles to quickly react to defensive moves and maintain proper positioning. They need to have the ability to quickly retreat or slide laterally to mirror the defender’s movements and keep them at bay.
  2. Hand placement: Proper hand placement is crucial for offensive tackles to control the defender. They aim to strike the defender’s chest or shoulder pads with their hands, maintaining a strong grip to neutralize their opponent’s pass rush moves.
  3. Punch technique: Offensive tackles should deliver a powerful punch to the defender’s chest or shoulders as they engage. This punch disrupts the defender’s balance and prevents them from gaining leverage or momentum.
  4. Balance and leverage: Maintaining a low center of gravity and leveraging their body weight helps offensive tackles stay balanced and anchor against powerful pass rush moves. By bending their knees and keeping their hips low, they can absorb the force of the defender and prevent them from overpowering them.

Run Blocking Fundamentals

Apart from pass blocking, offensive tackles also play a crucial role in run blocking, where they create openings for running backs to gain yardage. Here are some fundamental techniques employed by elite offensive tackles in run blocking:

  1. Drive blocking: Offensive tackles aim to drive the defender off the line of scrimmage, creating a running lane for the ball carrier. This involves explosive lower body strength and driving their legs through contact to generate movement.
  2. Seal blocks: Offensive tackles often need to seal the edge, preventing defenders from flowing outside and disrupting the running play. They must use their body positioning and lateral movement to seal off the outside defender, allowing the running back to cut upfield.
  3. Combination blocks: Offensive tackles frequently work in tandem with the nearby offensive guard to execute combination blocks. This involves double-teaming a defensive lineman before one of them moves to the second level to block a linebacker or safety, creating a path for the running back.

In summary, elite offensive tackles possess the size, strength, and technique required to excel in both pass blocking and run blocking. They are agile, powerful, and adept at using their hands and footwork to neutralize defenders and create opportunities for their team’s success.

Scouting and Drafting Offensive Tackles

Evaluating college offensive tackle prospects

When it comes to scouting and drafting offensive tackles, evaluating college prospects is a crucial step. This process involves carefully analyzing various aspects of their skills, potential, and overall fit for the team. Here are some key factors to consider while evaluating college offensive tackle prospects:

  1. Physical Attributes: One of the primary considerations is the prospect’s physical attributes. Height, weight, arm length, and overall body build play a significant role in an offensive tackle’s ability to protect the blind side effectively. Longer arms, for instance, help in keeping defenders at bay and maintaining a wider blocking radius.

  2. Footwork and Agility: Offensive tackles need to possess excellent footwork and agility to handle speed rushers and effectively navigate the pocket. Evaluating a prospect’s footwork, lateral movement, and ability to mirror defenders is essential to determine their potential success at the professional level.

  3. Strength and Power: The ability to generate power and anchor against bull rushes is crucial for offensive tackles. Evaluating a prospect’s strength, hand placement, and ability to sustain blocks against powerful defenders is vital to assess their ability to handle the physicality of the NFL.

  4. Technique and Fundamentals: A prospect’s understanding and execution of proper blocking techniques and fundamentals are essential for success in the NFL. Evaluating their hand usage, leverage, pad level, and ability to execute different blocking schemes can provide insights into their readiness for the professional level.

Key metrics and measurements to consider

When evaluating offensive tackle prospects, certain metrics and measurements can provide valuable information about their potential. Some key metrics to consider include:

  1. Arm Length: Longer arms are advantageous for offensive tackles as they provide a wider radius for blocking and help in keeping defenders at a distance.

  2. Height and Weight: While not the sole determinants of success, height and weight can give an indication of a prospect’s ability to handle the physical demands of the position.

  3. Bench Press: The bench press test measures upper body strength and can provide insight into a prospect’s ability to handle powerful defenders.

  4. 40-Yard Dash: The 40-yard dash is commonly used to evaluate a prospect’s speed and explosiveness off the line of scrimmage.

Analyzing game tape and performance

Beyond physical attributes and measurements, thoroughly analyzing a prospect’s game tape and performance is crucial to assess their skills and potential. Here are key aspects to consider while analyzing game tape:

  1. Pass Protection Skills: Evaluating a prospect’s ability to handle different pass-rushing moves, maintain proper technique, and provide consistent protection to the quarterback is essential. Look for their ability to anchor against bull rushes, handle speed rushers, and recover from initial setbacks.

  2. Run Blocking Skills: Assessing a prospect’s run blocking skills involves analyzing their ability to engage defenders, create driving lanes, and sustain blocks. Look for their technique, ability to generate movement at the line of scrimmage, and effectiveness in executing different run blocking schemes.

  3. Football IQ and Awareness: Evaluate a prospect’s football intelligence, understanding of offensive schemes, and overall awareness on the field. Look for their ability to recognize defensive fronts, make proper adjustments, and effectively communicate with teammates.

  4. Consistency and Competitive Nature: Consistency and competitiveness are vital traits for offensive tackles. Assess a prospect’s ability to perform consistently throughout a game, their willingness to finish blocks, and their overall competitiveness on the field.

By thoroughly evaluating college offensive tackle prospects based on their physical attributes, key metrics, and game tape analysis, teams can make informed decisions when drafting offensive tackles and ensure they find players who can effectively protect the blind side of their quarterbacks.

In conclusion, the art of drafting offensive tackles is an essential aspect of building a successful football team. These players are entrusted with protecting the blind side of the quarterback, ensuring their safety and enabling them to make accurate throws. The process of scouting and selecting the right offensive tackles requires a combination of skill, knowledge, and intuition. By understanding the unique traits and techniques that make a great offensive tackle, teams can secure a strong foundation for their offense and create a winning strategy. Ultimately, the art of drafting offensive tackles is a crucial step towards achieving long-term success in the game of football.