Chandler Zavala NFL Draft Overview
Position: Offensive Guard
Height: 6′-5″
Weight: 325 pounds
School: NC State
2023 NFL Draft: Chandler Zavala Scouting Report
Chandler Zavala began his college career at Division II Fairmont State in 2017. During that season, Zavala made appearances in three games playing various offensive line positions. In his second season with the Falcons, he started all 11 games earning All-Mountain East Conference (MEC) First-Team honors at left guard. In his third season in the Mountaineer State, Zavala once again started all 10 of Fairmont’s games at left guard. The 2020 season for the Falcons, was canceled due to COVID. After 2020, Zavala transferred to the Wolfpack of North Carolina State University. In his first season with the Wolfpack, Zavala sustained a back injury and played in only the first five games of the Wolfpack’s 12-game season. Zavala was granted an extra year of eligibility for the 2022 season, due to missing the Covid-shortened 2020 season. In his final season in Raleigh, Zavala started all 12 games for NC State and even caught a pass.
Strengths
- NFL-ready frame;
- Stays on his blocks and drives opponents backward;
- Takes on double teams, especially from blitzing linebackers effectively;
- High football IQ;
- Maintains a wide-sturdy base, enabling him to thwart bull rushers.
Weaknesses
- Run blocking in the open field has been problematic;
- Slow off the snap; can lead to issues on plays where he has to pull;
- If beat around inside or out, attempts to lunge at the defender; winds up on the ground and the defender gets to the backfield;
- His difficulty pursuing second-level defenders when he moves toward them (Not an issue if they move toward him);
- Is frequently off-balance (Not squared up) when blocking an opponent.
NFL Comparison: Aaron Banks
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 3-4
Bottom Line on Chandler Zavala
Chandler Zavala definitely has the size and frame to be an effective NFL lineman. At the line, he engages his opponent and can drive them backward, consistently. He is also able to take on double teams (defensive lineman and blitzing linebacker), which will be a huge selling point for him in the upcoming draft. He has the ability to assess the game-play situation and adjust his strategy/technique as needed. He also can take on bull rushers effectively.
What he needs to work on in order to be ready for the NFL is his ability to engage defenders in the open field, especially on running plays. His reaction time off the snap is also subpar which can lead to issues in plays where he has to pull. If he is getting beaten to either his inside or outside, he attempts to lunge at the defender and winds up on the ground, with the defender pursuing the quarterback/ball carrier. If he has to engage a linebacker at the second level he has difficulty doing so, which is a strength of his if the linebacker comes to him. He will also need to work on his lower body and core muscle as he has issues squaring up to defenders, which leads to him being off-balance and getting beaten by those defenders. Look for Zavala to be a third to fourth-round draft pick.
Main Photo: Bob Donnan – USA Today Sports
