Jon Heck, OT, North Carolina: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Although he started every game for the Tar Heels, Jon Heck did not receiver an invite to the Scouting Combine. Here’s a look at what he needs to improve…

Player Summary

Jon Heck, a 2012 three-star recruit, started all 50 career games at right tackle for North Carolina. He missed this past season’s game against Virginia with a head injury. His father Andy was a first-round pick in the 1989 NFL Draft and currently serves as the offensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jon Heck possesses good size and length on a large frame with adequate athletic ability. He was not invited to the Scouting Combine.

Measureables

Height: 6’6”

Weight: 300 lbs.

Games Watched

2016: Florida State, Georgia, Pittsburgh, Stanford, Virginia Tech

2015: Clemson

Strengths

Jon Heck displays solid awareness, knowing where his quarterback is at all times. As a pass blocker, he demonstrates good patience as he sets up with his head up and back straight. He initiates contact with his hands and quickly gets underneath the defender’s pads. He utilizes good length and play strength to prevent the defender from getting into his chest and forcing him back into the quarterback.

When he puts it all together, Heck has the ability to stonewall his opponent. That’s exactly what happens on this play against Georgia. He initiates the contact with his long arms and prevents the near 300-pound interior defensive lineman from generating any pressure on the quarterback. This strength is one reason why some NFL teams may look to move Heck inside at the next level.

The overhead view provides a better visual as you can see how close Heck is to the line of scrimmage compared to the rest of the offensive line.

Heck is at his best when he starts with his outside foot back at a 45-degree angle and uses a kick slide to prevent the defender from beating him around the edge.

North Carolina Tar Heels Football

In the run game, Heck comes off the ball smoothly and initiates contact with his hands rather than his head or body. On outside runs to his side of the formation, Heck shows a very good ability to down or reach block, sealing off the edge and preventing defensive linemen from pursuing the play. He displays good play speed as he moves quickly to the second level of the defense.

Weaknesses

Marginal mental processing skills hamper Heck on blitzes from outside his far shoulder as he appears unsure of which defender he is responsible for. That uncertainty, even if for a split second, slows his setup and results in the quarterback finishing the play on his back. Florida State used this to their advantage this season as they brought pressure from the outside and put DeMarcus Walker at the four-technique over Heck. The example below doesn’t result in a sack, but Mitch Trubisky takes a hit on the play.

Heck does have a tendency to tighten up and become flat-footed as a pass protector rather than staying on his toes. This is a result of adequate athletic ability and gives pass rushers the opportunity to get him off balance with double moves. One of the more skilled pass rushers in the ACC, Pittsburgh’s Ejuan Price, beat Heck multiple times early in the season. Using double moves against a flat-footed Heck was just one of the ways.

As seen in the play above, Heck is caught not only flat-footed, but too high as well. Playing with a high-pad level and not bending the knees enough results in a narrow shuffle, allowing flexible edge rushers to bend around the edge and get to the quarterback.

In the run game, Heck displays marginal flexibility as he bends at the waist. This limits his ability to fuel blocks with his lower body and drive defenders off the line of scrimmage.

On cut blocks, Heck does not see his target and whiffs too often. His inability to bring the defender to the ground, or even slow them down, cost the Tar Heels two points in the play below. Heck misses a cut attempt on the defender who quickly gets into the backfield and brings the ball carrier down for a safety on the first offensive play of the game for North Carolina.

Heck possesses adequate vision and struggles to find a defender to block once on the second level of the defense.

Overall

Overall, Jon Heck is a reserve offensive lineman in a zone blocking scheme who wins with functional strength and angle blocking. He’s not someone with the athletic ability to protect the edge against speed rushers. From a size and strength standpoint, Heck is one of the better offensive line prospects available in the 2017 NFL Draft. However, he is not technically sound and does not possess the athletic ability to recover from mistakes.

Not receiving an invitation to the Scouting Combine hurts, but the Tar Heels have enough prospects in the draft that just about every NFL team should be present at the school’s pro day. Teams will love Heck’s size and length, but he’s too much of a project at this point to warrant anything higher than a late-round pick. Whether he continues at tackle or guard, Heck is likely going to spend the early stages of his career on a practice squad.