Patrick Paul 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

•  One-year starter 

System: 

• Scheme tendencies: Spread principles
• 2022 projected role: Starting LT

Pros:  Patrick Paul is a massive offensive tackle that possesses good overall size and length. Paul has found a way to use this size and length to his advantage. In pass protection, Paul does a good job maintaining inside leverage and forcing defenders to run the arc around him. This buys the quarterback time. Even if Paul doesn’t necessarily use great technique, his length aids him in being effective. Paul is also able to use his long arms to make contact with defenders early and when he is able to get a grasp of them he can temporarily corral them to stop their momentum. Paul also shows to do a solid job of being able to anchor when defenders try to bull rush him right down the center of his frame. Paul is big enough that he can be a difficult offensive lineman to bullrush quickly to get to the quarterback.

Cons: Paul’s deficiencies derive from his athletic profile. In space, Paul struggles to change direction on both the horizontal and vertical planes. He seems to have an upright stance that doesn’t help him keep power, so when he is moving around, defenders are easily able to knock him off balance at times. This also affects Paul’s range as a player. Paul does well with defenders who rush straight at him, but defenders who attack his edges force him to move his feet. Paul has a big frame, which gives him the potential to be a highly coveted tackle, but I believe that he needs to get stronger from his lower half to his core to his upper half in order to reach his full potential as a player.

Patrick Paul NFL Draft Scouting Report by Keith Sanchez