Blake Freeland 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

• Father, Jaes, played for BYU from 1994-1995 and mother was a basketball player at BYU from 1991-1995

• Holds 6A classification high school javelin state record
• Also received recruiting attention from Utah, UCLA, USC, and Washington

System: 

• Scheme tendencies: Power run scheme with high volume of PA half-roll outs. 
• 2022 projected role: Starting LT

Pros: Blake Freeland offers prototypical NFL size on the edge for the Cougars. He’s big, long, and lean with a large area of influence on the edge in pass protection. Along with that size comes effective power as a run blocker. Whether he’s stepping directionally to execute a zone concept or firing off the ball to try to claim ground as a drive blocker, Freeland is best at the run game components of the position. He’s highly experienced, having started nearly every game he’s dressed for the Cougars—that comes with a pretty firm understanding of the calls and protection schemes. You don’t often see him out of position with his left guard. Freeland has scored favorably in protection and that comes in large part because of his length and functional strength, which is an asset when he’s tested with power versus inside shade alignments.

Cons: Blake Freeland’s size and length don’t come without some restrictions, most notably in some of the tightness I’ve seen illustrated as a blocker. In both pass sets and as a run blocker, his frame is going to provide a natural barrier to leverage and he’s only got sufficient mobility through his lower half to be able to coil and play low while also offering mobility. These leverage barriers have created reps where sustained fits on blocks become difficult—lower-built defenders will force him to fold forward at the waist and overextend as he tries to mirror and stay engaged. Unless these dynamics change as this season unfolds, I’d likely advocate him as a scheme-specific type of player. Deep-set passing offenses will likely test his ability to hold in protection at the NFL level if you’re asking him to vertical set for 5-7 step drops.

Blake Freeland NFL Draft Scouting Report by Kyle Crabbs