Jalen
Mayfield.
Jalen
Mayfield.
Michigan
"A Michigan tackle with 15 career starts (opted out of most of 2020) and physical tools that had NFL boards optimistic — every scout's "in a year" project at OT."Pre-draft read
Plays as a developmental gap-scheme tackle who primarily wins in the run game. He utilizes good pad level and hand strength to generate movement rather than relying on quick lateral burst or an elite anchor. In pass protection, he employs a technique-based approach in his kick-slide sets.
His lateral quickness against speed rushers is average, leading to vulnerabilities around the arc against top-tier edges. While functional, his anchor against interior stunts and bull rush is not a plus trait; his pads tend to rise under pressure, and hand replacement can be late. He is more of a technique run blocker than a mover of the point of attack.
This prospect fits best in a power gap scheme or a wide zone run-heavy scheme that values technique in run blocking over elite lateral quickness and anchor.
His Year 1 role could be an immediate contributor as a run-blocking specialist or backup interior lineman, with a ceiling as a starting right tackle in a run-heavy scheme.
He would be a poor fit in a pass-heavy Air Raid system or a scheme that frequently asks its tackles to mirror speed rushers in isolation.
His limited college sample and average lateral quickness make him a developmental project best suited for an organization with a strong run game and patient development. The right support system can help him refine his technique.
Jalen Mayfield All Snaps vs Alabama Citrus Bowl 2019 (Michigan OT #73)
Every-snap Michigan tape vs Alabama — the 2019 RT sample against SEC-caliber edges that framed the pre-draft traits case.
Jalen Mayfield Scouting Report (2021 NFL Draft)
Independent scouting cut breaking down the one-year sample, gap-scheme fit and pass-pro caps that flagged the Day-2 developmental risk.
From Grand Rapids to ATL — Jalen Mayfield's Rookie Spotlight
Official Falcons rookie feature framing the LG conversion — the exact usage that accelerated the exposure and never let the developmental arc play out.
Mayfield projects as a developmental tackle prospect best suited for a gap/power scheme, where his ability to fire off in the run game and utilize pad level can be maximized. His legitimate Day-2 traits profile, including a 5.15 pro-day forty, suggests a physical foundation, but his limited body of work at Michigan indicated a significant projection was necessary for an acquiring organization.
He started 13 games at right tackle in 2019 and an additional two in 2020 in a gap/power scheme. While he demonstrated proficiency in firing off in the run game and setting in kick-slide protections, his pass-protection tape flagged inconsistent anchor against interior stunts and issues with lateral quickness against speed off the edge. This provided a thin, but meaningful, sample against Big Ten competition.
Evaluation concerns centered on the limited 15-game sample, which elevated bust risk and required organizations to project rather than rely on extensive tape. Some evaluators had him as a right tackle with potential for positional flexibility to guard, making him a developmental bet at a premium position. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons at pick #68 in the third round.
- 01
Positional Length
Displays legitimate offensive tackle length with a 6-foot-5, 326-pound frame and 33 3/8-inch arms.
- 02
Gap Scheme Fit
Possesses traits conducive to a gap/power run scheme, with effective down blocks and correct pulling angles.
- 03
Athletic Testing Profile
Posted a 5.15 pro-day forty and 26 bench reps, supporting Day-2 capital as an offensive tackle.
- 04
Experienced Starter
Logged 13 starts at right tackle in 2019 against Big Ten competition, including Ohio State and Penn State.
- 05
Positional Flexibility
Offers positional flexibility to guard if tackle does not materialize, enhancing his overall draft floor.
- 01
Thin Sample Size
Evaluated on only 15 total college starts for a Day-2 tackle, relying on projection more than tape.
- 02
Inconsistent Anchor
Shows an inconsistent pass protection anchor, with pads rising and hands elevating against bull rushes.
- 03
Average Lateral Burst
Exhibits average lateral burst in his kick-slide, leading to difficulties containing top-tier edge rushers.
- 04
Late Eye Discipline
Demonstrates late eye discipline, occasionally losing track of edge rushers when interior stunts develop.
| Yr | Team | G |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Michigan | 3 |
| 2019 | Michigan | 13 |
| 2020 | Michigan | 2 |
| Career | — | 18 |
A dash means the figure is not published by a source we trust — never a zero we invented.
Realistic: fringe-starter OT/G with limited pass-pro runway
Ceiling: developmental tackle who lands as an above-average guard, unlikely given the pass-pro caps
Floor: bust-tier outcome for a Day-2 developmental OT with a one-year sample
Everything above is the pre-draft evaluation. This section is what actually happened — updated year over year.
Bust. Thrown into RT starter role as a rookie — one of the worst OL grades in the NFL (allowed 12 sacks and 44 pressures). Never recovered: cut in 2023, journeyman practice-squad OL through 2025. Correct grade, wrong slot; the pick was the miss.
Pre-draft context: One-year Michigan starter at RT as a redshirt sophomore in 2019 (13 starts) plus two 2020 games before opting out amid Michigan's COVID-shortened season. Measured 6'5"/326 with 33 3/8" arms and a plus pro-day (5.15 forty, 26 bench) — a legitimate Day-2 traits profile with tackle length but limited body of work.
Ran a gap/power scheme that asked him to fire off in the run game and set in true kick-slide protections; pass-pro tape flagged inconsistent anchor vs interior stunts and lateral quickness gaps vs speed off the edge.
Fit with Atlanta: The organization drafted him at #68 as a developmental OT project with a fallback bet at LG given Chris Lindstrom already anchored the right side. Rookie year rushed to LG after injuries and gave up 9 sacks / 51 pressures — one of the worst PFF grades at the position that year. 2022 lost the LG job to Elijah Wilkinson before Week 1, cut in August 2023 after another failed camp. 2023 signed to Jets practice squad, released 2024. Out of the NFL after 2024.
Retrospective: A hard miss on the developmental OT bet — the one-year sample flagged pre-draft was the whole risk, and rushing him to LG as a rookie amplified the problem, so pick outcome grades as a clear bust vs slot.