Spencer Drango, OT Baylor: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Oct 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Seth Russell (17) and offensive tackle Spencer Drango (58) celebrate Russell /

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Player Summary

Spencer Drango, a 2011 four-star recruit, has started all 48 career games played at left tackle. He missed final four games of the 2013 season as a result of a ruptured disk in back which required surgery. Graded by Pro Football Focus as the most efficient pass blocker in the country, allowing just one quarterback hit in 2015. Good height and weight with a thick frame and solid athletic ability.

Player Information

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 320 lbs

Class: Redshirt Senior

Games Watched

2014: Michigan State

2015: North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU

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Strengths

Spencer Drango shows a very good ability to process information quickly both pre and post-snap; understanding defensive formations and who he is responsible for blocking. Possesses tremendous mechanics in both the run and pass games. Bends at the knees rather than the waist, keeps his head up and back straight at impact and maintains a “V” pattern with his elbows inside the defender’s pads.

In the passing game, stays on his toes while showing off solid footwork and an ability to kick slide, hinge step and double step. Plays very relaxed and patient as a pass blocker, allowing the defender to make the first move before initiating contact by getting his hands inside. Displays impressive awareness knowing where the quarterback is at all times and turning the defender away. Allowed just one QB hit all season and that came against Oklahoma State edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah, a likely first-round pick.

Very good play strength in the running game, Drango initiates contact with very strong hands and utilizes his powerful base and solid mechanics to drive opponents off the line of scrimmage. Maintains good posture to keep leverage throughout the block. Displays good athletic ability to pull from his tackle position and get to the second level of the defense. Here’s an example of this from the Russell Athletic Bowl against North Carolina. Drango (#58) pulls from left tackle and takes out the only defender, this time a safety, with a chance to prevent the touchdown.

Very good physical and competitive toughness returning from season-ending back surgery in 2013 to playing at an All-American level in 2014.

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Areas for Improvement

Drango fails to explode at the snap and is consistently the last lineman out of his stance. For this reason, he struggles with speed rushers around the edge and will need to move inside to guard at the next level. His poor explosion was exploited by Michigan State defensive end Shilique Calhoun in last season’s Cotton Bowl. Calhoun beat Drango to the outside several times throughout the game. As you can see in the play below, Drango tries to compensate for this and is easily thrown off balance when Calhoun makes a move inside. While Calhoun doesn’t make the stop, he forces the running back outside and his fellow defenders finish the job in the backfield.

When moving to the second level of the defense, does an adequate job of setting his feet and squaring up the defender, resulting in missed blocks. Lacks the mean streak NFL teams look for in a left tackle, displaying only marginal aggressiveness through and after the whistle.

Overall

Overall, Spencer Drango is a starting guard in a zone blocking scheme who wins with athletic ability, vision and play strength. He does not have the range or recovery speed to remain at tackle in the NFL. He will showcase his strength and athletic ability at the combine, which should boost his draft stock. Much like Zack Martin and Cameron Erving in the past two drafts, Drango could be a first-round selection as a guard, despite not playing the position in college.

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