Draft Profile Series: Joel Bitonio
- Updated: April 30, 2014
As we approach the deepest NFL Draft in recent memory, I’ll give my breakdown and analysis of 75 top prospects in this year’s class. At the conclusion of this series, I will include my final overall and positional rankings, as well as a mock draft.
Joel Bitonio, OT/G, 6-4, 302, Nevada
Key stats: Started 36 out of 37 games over past three seasons.
Strengths: Left tackle that could project to right tackle or guard. … Strong run blocker, who reach blocks very well, and is able to consistently drive defenders off the ball. … Has good functional strength and still has room to improve in this area. … Finishes his blocks and plays to the whistle with a nasty edge. … Has above average straight-line speed for a tackle. …
Weaknesses: Average in pass protection. … Has shorter arms than you would like. … Sometimes gets beat by speed and gets out of position to become susceptible to power rushes. … Leaves arms extended after punching during pass drops. … Needs to pull arms back in or rushers will easily be able to manipulate him. … Doesn’t play with consistent balance. … Tends to lunge. … Not extremely quick. … Tries everything in the book, including cut blocking, but sometimes it comes off as desperate tactic.
Conclusion: Bitonio is a nice player with a certain future in the NFL. … However, in my opinion, Bitonio is best suited as a right tackle, or possibly moving inside to guard. … At the moment, he isn’t a starting-quality left tackle. … He has too much trouble with speed, and needs plenty of technique work with his pass blocking. … Where he excels is in the run game, and his versatility allows teams the luxury of putting him in several spots if he doesn’t work out as a tackle.
NFL comparison: T.J. Lang/Matt Slauson.
Draft projection: Second or third round.
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