Christian Westerman, OG, Arizona State: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Player Summary
Christian Westerman, a 2011 five-star recruit, redshirted in 2011 and was limited to just two games as a result of an ankle injury in 2012 at Auburn before transferring to Arizona State prior to the 2013 season. Started 25 games at left guard for the Sun Devils. Moderate height/weight with a compact frame and solid athletic ability. 2016 Senior Bowl participant.
Player Information
Class: Redshirt Senior
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 296
Arms: 33-3/8 inches
Hands: 10-7/8 inches
Games Watched
2015: Arizona, Texas A&M, USC, West Virginia
2014: USC
Strengths
In the passing game, Christian Westerman displays solid patience at the snap with the awareness to pick up blitzing defenders as a result of good mental processing skills. Initiates contact with a quick, powerful punch and maintains leverage by getting hands inside the defender. Quick feet allow him to recover from a misstep or counter move from defender. Allowed just two sacks and 18 total pressures as a senior, utilizing good instincts to know where the quarterback is at all times.
In the run game, explodes out of stance and initiates contact while keeping head up at impact. Showcases very good play strength, driving the defender off the line of scrimmage and turning away from the running lane.
In the play below, Westerman (at left guard) bullies the defensive tackle, putting him on skates for five yards before tossing him to the ground. This gives the QB an open lane to run through on his way to the end zone.
Good athletic ability to quickly get to the second level of the defense and square up linebackers and defensive backs.
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Displays very good competitive toughness, fighting through the whistle and finishing blocks. Played 1,103 snaps in 2015 without committing a penalty as a result of high football intelligence.
Weaknesses
Marginal burst off the snap in the passing game, causes Westerman to struggle with quick, explosive interior defensive linemen. Adequate flexibility, as he struggles to maintain a low pad level. Needs to improve his knee bend, which will allow him to stay low and not be susceptible to dips. When pulling, struggles to set the edge due to moderate lateral agility.
A lack of lateral agility plays a large role in the play below resulting in a loss. Westerman is responsible for the edge of the line, which in this case is outside linebacker Su’a Cravens. The left tackle allows Cravens around the edge in order to block the linebacker on the second level.
It’s Westerman’s responsibility to get a chip on the OLB, allowing the running back to hit the hole. This play is doomed from the beginning as Westerman’s first step is way too slow and he fails to prevent the OLB from making the stop.
Adequate balance hampers ability to navigate the trash at his feet as he gets lost in traffic too easily.
Overall
Overall, Christian Westerman is a developmental guard in a zone blocking scheme who wins with his vision and ability to reach the second level of the defense. Does not possess the size or lateral quickness to succeed in a power scheme.
He is a much better pass protector than run blocker, so teams with pass-heavy offenses will likely have him higher on the board than teams that like to keep the ball on the ground. He could potentially be a top-five guard in this class and is expected to be a fourth or fifth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.