Stone Forsythe NFL Draft Overview
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 315 pounds
Arms: 34 3/8”
Hands: 10”
School: University of Florida
Stone Forsythe 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Stone Forsythe is a redshirt senior offensive tackle from the University of Florida. He was a solid lineman on one of the nation’s most prolific offenses over the past few seasons. Forsythe attended high school at West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Florida. He was recruited as a three-star lineman, intriguing coaches with his astonishing size at 6’9” 315 pounds. Forsythe did not have significant playing time until his sophomore season in 2018 where he platooned along the offensive line, appearing in all 13 games.
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Forsythe started every game of his final two seasons while protecting Kyle Trask’s blindside. Trask would eventually be named a Heisman Trophy finalist leading the Florida Gators as the nation’s leading passing offense. During 2020 this offense was also the eighth in yards per play (7.28) and ninth in yards per game (509.8). Forsythe was a staple on an offensive line protecting one of the nation’s premier passers and offensive units, as a whole.
Strengths
- Ideal size for the position;
- Multi-year starter with plenty of experience;
- Versatility: Forsythe has played on both sides, and at multiple positions at a high level.
- Atheltic player capable of matching opposing linemen’s movement;
- Strong player – doesn’t lose too many bull rushes;
- Ability to recover – Forsythe recovers well once he is beat.
Weaknesses
- High center of gravity;
- Can be susceptible to speed rushers;
- Below average run blocker;
- Poor mechanics: Forsythe tends to bend at the waste, losing his athleticism against quicker pass rushers;
- Rushers with lower point of attack will give Forsythe difficulty.
Teams With Need At Position: Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys
Projection: Third to Fifth Rounds
Bottom Line on Stone Forsythe
The massive offensive lineman is like to be drafted in the third to fifth round. He has versatility coveted in the NFL while playing the premiere linemen position. Forsythe’s strengths are almost all linked to his weaknesses.
His tremendous stature sets him apart and allows him greater room for error. Although, this size heightens his center of gravity and makes him susceptible to pass rushers with a lower point of attack. Forsythe also struggles with quick and speed rushers. His size leads to slower feet and slower recovery times. Thanks to his length, Forsythe has the ability to jab, resetting if he gets beat. However, this length leaves him vulnerable to the speed rush.
Forsythe’s higher center of gravity also makes it more difficult for him to set a low point of attack and drive would-be tacklers out of the hole in run blocking. The oversized lineman also struggles to shed blockers and move to the second level during run blocking. Forsythe could be a future NFL star, but he has some work to do related to quickness; athleticism; and footwork.
Many teams will be lining up to draft a potential start with a versatile pedigree on the offensive line. Any team lacking in young linemen will be in the market on day two and three of the 2021 NFL draft. Once Forsythe learns proper mechanics and finds his niche, he could be a great lineman in the NFL for the next decade.
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