PROSPECT SUMMARY - LANDON YOUNG

Kentucky offensive tackle Landon Young projects as a fringe roster level prospect when forecasting his game to the NFL level. Young is a linear mover with an accomplished resume at Kentucky, including 48 total games played and 26 starts. A redshirt senior captain in 2020, Young was a key staple on the Wildcats’ offensive line in recent years, but his short-area quickness and footspeed, when paired with some tightness through the core, will give him little margin for error in both the pass and run game as he looks to try to make his mark. Young should be considered a late-round pick candidate or alternatively a priority undrafted free agent—his physical profile is one that cannot be taught and he will have a home on a 90-man roster this summer with no questions asked. From there, the question becomes how much improvement and consistency Young can produce with further NFL coaching.

Ideal Role: Practice squad offensive tackle.

Scheme Fit: Gap/Power-heavy running scheme with West Coast offense rooted passing principles.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Kyle Crabbs

Games watched: Auburn (2020), Tennessee (2020), Florida (2020), North Carolina State (2020)

Best Game Studied: North Carolina State (2020)

Worst Game Studied: Florida (2020)

Balance: The lack of foot speed catches up to Young and he will fold at the waist or fall off of blocks too easily in sustained situations. He’s best set for success on runs that tuck right off his hip so defenders are tempted to simply stack the block and look to anchor.

Pass Sets: The Kentucky offense has not been built off of a traditional drop-back infrastructure and as a result, Young’s pass protection is difficult to gauge. But his gravitational pull and short-area agility are problematic and will provide barriers to quality play on the edge.

Competitive Toughness: His effort level is where it needs to be, but his application of power and strength in a functional, 3-D setting is compromised by athletic ability. Young has the right complexion for an offensive lineman and his second effort will help him bridge enough time on extended plays.

Lateral Mobility: Young is most effective on linear releases. His mirror skills along the edge are labored and he’s got enough to counter the first lane change before he’ll find himself struggling to stay framed. His ability to stretch outside the hashes on wide run concepts is limited.

Length: Young appears to get out-reached by pass rushers and edge defenders in the run game. Regardless of whether it stems from punching down on defenders with leverage or hand placement and timing, he does not illustrate the extension skills you’d expect on the edge.

Football IQ: Young is a multi-year starter for the Wildcats program and appears to process information in real time effectively. He’s a good communicator, which helps him and his linemates sort out assignments against different fronts and pressure looks.

Hand Technique: Young has plenty of stickiness in his hands, which goes a long way in providing him with sustained blocks despite some of his other limitations. Close quarter combat, if left stagnant, is where Young will be most effective in the run game or in pass protection.

Anchor Ability: Leverage issues will be a never-ending battle unless he finds ways to keep his hips down and get more bend in the knees. I saw too many reps of him catching rushers instead of attacking to offset upfield push.

Power at P.O.A.: When Young brings his feet behind him he is actually capable of a fair amount of push in drive block situations. His punch power is hindered by functional length issues, but at the very least he has some power rolled into his lower body.

Versatility: Young will have a hard time playing on the interior with his leverage issues and rigidness through the core. An inability to bend and play with coil will make the needed short-area reaction difficult to stay properly framed inside; making him a tackle only.