Jaelyn Duncan NFL Draft Overview
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6′-6″
Weight: 320 pounds
School: Maryland
2023 NFL Draft: Jaelyn Duncan Scouting Report
Jaelyn Duncan spent five seasons at the University of Maryland. In his first year, Duncan saw action in only one game, but that would change dramatically. In his second season, Duncan became a full-time starter, appearing in all 12 games for the Terrapins. Duncan remained the starter in 2020 for the five games that Maryland played in the Covid-19 shortened season. Duncan remained a starter for his third season in College Park, once again appearing in 12 regular season games and the Pinstripe Bowl. In his final season, with the Terps, Duncan appeared in eleven of the team’s 13 games.
Strengths
- Experienced; started four out of five years at Maryland;
- Has the speed to pull, when needed/get up field on run blocking;
- Has quick feet when pass-blocking;
- Stays low while accelerating off the snap;
- Continues to play even after the defender has beaten him.
Weaknesses
- Has the tendency to let defender off of the block, early;
- Initial punch is ineffective;
- Has difficulty fighting double teams and blocking blitzers;
- Shorter wingspan means less distance defender is from the quarterback on pass plays;
- Gets beat easily to the outside.
NFL Comparison: A raw Robert Hunt
Teams With Need At Position: Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders
Projection: Rounds 4-5
Bottom Line on Jaelyn Duncan
There is no doubt that Jaelyn Duncan is a very experienced offensive tackle, who over the course of five seasons at the University of Maryland played in 42/55 games for the Terps. He has the athletic ability and speed to be an effective upfield blocker on run plays. He can get out quickly to pass protect, although he frequently does get beat to the outside and/or lets off his block too early.
NFL teams may have concerns with him having shorter limbs, specifically his arms, because if he is pushed back, there is less space between him and the defender to get to the quarterback or ball carrier, depending on what type of play is being run. Duncan is a prospect that will need time to adjust to the NFL style of play but already has the prerequisites to be an effective offensive lineman given the opportunity. Being considered a fourth to fifth-round pick, Duncan will have the potential to one day be an NFL starter.
A team who is willing to invest the time and work with Duncan will be rewarded with a behemoth of an offensive tackle, as Duncan is on the larger side of NFL offensive linemen, at 6′-6″, 320 pounds. He will need time to work on his explosiveness and punch as well as being able to recognize and pickup blitzing defenders. He can one day be the type of offensive lineman, similar to who Robert Hunt has become, for the Miami Dolphins.
Main Photo: Vasha Hunt – USA Today Sports
