Overview
Position: Offensive tackle
Height: 6’8″
Weight: 315 pounds
School: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Combine Performance Data
Bench press: 24 reps
Vertical jump: 28.5 inches
Broad jump: 8 feet, 9 inches
Mike McGlinchey 2018 NFL Draft Profile
In 2014 and 2016, a Notre Dame offensive lineman went in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys took Zack Martin 16th overall four years ago while the Baltimore Ravens selected Ronnie Stanley at number six back in 2016. A biannual pattern is certainly emerging considering it’s highly likely that Mike McGlinchey is the first tackle off the board come day one of this year’s draft.
The Philadelphia native committed to the Irish as a high school junior and comprised a top-five recruiting haul from Brian Kelly in his fourth year as head coach. After redshirting, McGlinchey became a mainstay on the offensive line for the remainder of his time in South Bend. He made his first career start in Notre Dame’s Music City Bowl win over LSU in 2014. A year later, his run-blocking prowess helped the Irish average a modern era school record 5.63 yards per carry.
Though the team struggled the following season, they bounced back big time in 2017. A crucial component of that resurgence which had them in the national title conversation was dominant play from McGlinchey and the rest of the line. It helped spearhead a dynamic rushing attack that finished third nationally in yards per attempt (6.25) and seventh in yards per game (269.3). All of it led to McGlinchey receiving the highest player grade of any tackle in the nation from advanced stats site Pro Football Focus. And capped his career as a starter the way he began it: by beating LSU in a bowl game.
Strengths
- showed versatility in lining up at both left and right tackle in college;
- arguably the most polished run-blocking tackle in this year’s draft;
- efficiently tracks towards his target on outside zone runs;
- able to keep body square to rusher when kick sliding outside;
- adjusts on the run and follows through well on pull blocks inside;
- executes quick and effective reach/down block combos;
- team captain as a junior and senior.
Weaknesses
- will need to add upper body strength;
- plays with too upright a pad level at times when pass blocking;
- tends to struggle setting the edge against speed rushers with active hands;
- could do a better job winning with leverage on initial contact;
- somewhat clunky lateral footwork off the snap;
- base can get narrow in pass protection;
- hand placement can make it difficult for him to redirect edge rushers away from the quarterback.
NFL Comparison: Lane Johnson
Teams With Need at Position: Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles
Projection: Possible top 10 pick
Bottom Line
McGlinchey, who incidentally is a first cousin to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, is a scheme versatile lineman who can line up at either tackle position. He possesses solid fundamentals and plus instincts but needs to add more raw strength to an otherwise athletic frame to hold up against NFL-level physicality. Though he needs work as a pass protector, his run-blocking skills are off the charts. It should make him highly effective at helping move the chains in short-yardage situations. His ceiling is certainly a regular starter and potential multi-year Pro Bowler. But in order for him to reach that level, especially in a pass-happy NFL, he must prove he can keep his quarterback upright on a consistent basis.
