Warren McClendon NFL Draft Overview
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6′-4″
Weight: 306 pounds
School: Georgia
2023 NFL Draft: Warren McClendon Scouting Report
Warren McClendon began his college career in Athens, in 2019, a season in which he played in a total of four games. In the following Covid-19 shortened season of 2020, McClendon started nine of the Dawgs 10 games at right tackle. In Georgia’s 2021 National Championship season, McClendon locked up the right tackle position starting all fifteen of the Bulldogs games en route to a nearly flawless 14-1 record and the National Championship. In his final season with Georgia, who would once again hoist the National Championship trophy after a perfect 15-0 season, McClendon started all 15 games at his familiar right tackle position.
Strengths
- Closes off his defensive rushers ability to make a play, on both pass and run plays, consistently;
- High Football IQ;
- Has quick and efficient hands that deliver consistent, jarring punches;
- Has the potential versatility to play any position on the line;
- Is a fierce and aggressive, physical player.
Weaknesses
- Lack of arm length allows opponents to get into close range and often make a play;
- Footwork is lackluster;
- Tries to outmuscle his opponent which is not likely to work at the NFL level as it did at the collegiate level.
- Does not have an explosive burst to a slide-step, to meet an oncoming rusher;
- Frequently lacks a wide base of support, causing him to be off-balance, and allowing opponents to control him.
NFL Comparison: Patrick Mekari
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: Round 7-UDFA
Bottom Line on Warren McClendon
McClendon will pique the interest of teams based on his potential alone. Being a part of the offensive line that helped win back-to-back National Championships, will help his cause, as well. Additionally, teams will see that he is a smart player, who has the ability to frequently take control of his opponent with his fierce, aggressive, and physical style of play. What is also captivating about McClendon is his opportunity to play effectively at any position on the offensive line, which would help a team that needs better linemen, even if it is solely for depth purposes.
What may make McClendon an undrafted free agent versus an NFL draft pick are his shorter arms, which allow defenders to get in closer to the ball carrier and disrupt the play. McClendon also needs to work on his footwork, especially when it comes to having an explosive slide-step which is a must at the NFL level. McClendon will also need to work on his lower body and core strength as well as his balance, especially to maintain a wide base of support and remain well-balanced when blocking.
McClendon also has to be cognizant that he is not going to be able to outmuscle his opponents at the NFL level, which he may have had success with while at Georgia. In the eyes of the NCAA, McClendon would have had two years left to refine his weaknesses and solidify himself as a draft pick in either 2024 or 2025. Instead, he runs the “risk”, (which of course is not a risk at all, but is often perceived as such), of not being drafted and instead signing as an undrafted free agent. Although a team could be so intrigued just based on his potential alone and decides they would not want to risk him being scooped up as an undrafted free agent and decide to use a seventh-round pick to take McClendon. Regardless, there is no doubt a team will give McClendon an opportunity to show what he can do.
Main Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski – USA Today Sports
