2021 NFL Draft: Virginia Tech OT Christian Darrisaw has first-round upside
Christian Darrisaw is an exciting offensive tackle to watch in the 2021 NFL Draft class.
Oregon’s Penei Sewell stands out as the clear top offensive tackle prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft class. Sewell is a fantastic prospect who will likely end up going somewhere in the first five picks next April. After Sewell, the race for OT2 is wide open and Christian Darrisaw out of Virginia Tech is quickly becoming a worthy candidate.
Darrisaw is a 6-foot-5, 314-pound offensive lineman who started three games at left tackle for Virginia Tech as a true freshman in 2018 and has been a full-time starter at the position ever since.
Darrisaw was impressive last season, but has taken his game to the next level here in 2020. His ability to move and make blocks in space immediately stands out on tape, as he shows high-level athleticism for an offensive tackle. Darrisaw is quick off of the ball and smooth as a runner in space, and he particularly shines when Virginia Tech asks him to pull and in the screen game.
He displays the ability to make blocks under control at the second-level and shows solid power at the point of attack. In pass protection, Darrisaw moves his feet well and shows solid mirror ability. His ability sink in and anchor against power in pass protection also stands out as a strength.
With his improved play this season, Darrisaw is putting himself in the first-round conversation in the 2021 NFL Draft. Big and strong guys who move like this simply do not come around often and teams will take notice of his upside at such a premium position.
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It will be interesting to see how the rest of the offensive tackle class takes shape after Sewell. Right now, guys like Samuel Cosmi, Alex Leatherwood and Dillon Radunz are likely ahead of Darrisaw, but that could easily change as the process continues to unfold. If he keeps playing at such a high level, being the second offensive lineman off of the board in the 2021 NFL Draft is not out of the question.