Round 3(a) - Carolina Panthers Select BYU OT Brady Christensen

[Zod]

Carolina Panthers Select OL Brady Christensen in the 3rd round of the 2021 NFL draft. 

Quote

Christensen served a two-year church mission in New Zealand after excelling at Bountiful High School in Utah and then redshirted in 2017. He took over the starting left tackle spot in 2018, starting all 13 games. Christensen repeated that feat in 2019. He garnered national attention as a junior, blocking so well for star quarterback Zach Wilson in 12 starts that the Associated Press voted him a first-team All-American. -- by Chad Reuter

 

6'5 302lbs 

Overview

With short legs, a longer torso and a big barrel chest, Christensen's play strength at the point of attack is NFL-caliber and he has enough movement to get to most blocks that are asked of him. He understands his strength and works around his limitations in the run game. He's a bit of a waist-bender through the mirroring process, which will need to be eliminated, but he has the punch and upper-body strength to slow physical rushers. His lateral movement in the run game and pass protection is sluggish and is unlikely to improve much. Teams will likely try Christensen as a tackle but a move to guard is possible if they don't like the results.

Strengths

• Low-cut with big, barrel chest.
• Plays with adequate snap quickness and body control.
• Accelerates into run blocks with good hip snap into defender.
• Good footwork in preparation for climb block.
• Hits his landmarks and drives through the block.
• Choppy, quick slide steps in pass pro.
• Pays attention to maintaining proper base width.
• Powerful upper body to punch and lock out.
• Has strength to slow edge rush with inside hand.
• Finds work and helps his teammates.

Weaknesses

• Short arms for a tackle.
• Not a great bender and is average athlete as a tackle.
• Needs to be first with inside hands more often with his punch.
• Hard time redirecting weight back inside to catch inside counter.
• Occasional waist-bending through mirror needs to be smoothed out.
• Oversteps and gets beat inside.
• Pad level rises high in lateral movements.
• Needs more attention to secure block duties in zone.
• Labors to make reactive change of direction at second level.

 

Per PFF

Best 2020 pass-blocking grade among OT in this draft class

1.Brady Christensen - 95.2 

2. Alijah Vera-Tucker - 92.8

3 Christian Darrisaw - 90.8 

4. Sam Cosmi - 90.7

 

[ncfan]

 

[Fox007]

TACKLE!!!!

[Carl Spackler]

Let’s go!!

[jb2288]

Love this pick. I think this has been the guy the whole time and the knew could get him in the third. Use the next 2 on OL too and this is an A+ draft 

[Fox007]

Also clearly using the data/analytics 

[DeeJay]

PROTECT THE SAM RONALD MCDONALD!!! LETS GO

[X-Clown on 1]

[Smithers]

Great pick.  Let him compete in camp at LT. Move to LG if he struggles 

[travisura]

Solid

[Cam2Ligit2Quit]

That was a reach. For a tackle 

[Hoenheim]

Thank God Almighty

[Zod]

He could probably start at guard for us immediately. 

[chknwing]