2020 NFL Draft: Calvin Throckmorton’s versatility elevates his stock

Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton showed his versatility at the 2020 Senior Bowl, elevating his 2020 NFL Draft stock.

The 2020 NFL Draft is loaded on the offensive line, especially in the first couple of rounds. As you get deeper into this class though, it really feels like every page you turn on the group reveals another guy who who could be a starter or, at the very least, a top reserve at the next level.

One player who has exemplified versatility more in the past four years than perhaps any other prospect in the class is Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton.

Throckmorton started at every position on the line in 2018 except for left guard, and when he got to Mobile for the Senior Bowl in 2020, the Cincinnati Bengals put him through the ringer and had him at multiple positions throughout the week and in the game itself.

While Throckmorton proved at the collegiate level that he could hold up as a tackle, I think the Senior Bowl was a tough environment for him and proved that yes, he’s versatile, but may have also narrowed his positions down at the next level to the interior offensive line.

He was victimized in the game by Utah pass rusher Bradlee Anae and Throckmorton lacks the ideal length to really work well as a tackle against NFL edge players.

After having somewhat of a rough week in Mobile, I think Throckmorton may provide some team with a really good depth player or maybe even starter anywhere on the interior line.

He has shorter arms, which already suggested a move inside, but on an island against rushers with a variety of moves, it was just really tough sledding for Throckmorton.

With that being said, this is a guy who has played football at a really high level for a long time. One week at the Senior Bowl doesn’t erase his body of work in college, and there’s plenty to evaluate there that leads me to believe he will have success, likely inside, in the NFL.

His versatility to play tackle could come into play in a pinch, but there’s no doubt that Throckmorton could excel early as an interior player in the NFL. The Bengals were impressed with the way Throckmorton learned the playbook and obviously that’s evidenced by the fact that they were just able to throw him at a bunch of positions, including center where he’s tasked with calling out protections.

It may not be at tackle at the NFL level, but Throckmorton could provide some team with a versatile weapon on the interior offensive line at any of the three spots.