Below is the PFF draft profile for NC State OL Joe Thuney, which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF’s 2016 scouting reports, click here.
Position fit:
Tackle/Guard/Center. Zone fit
Stat to know:
Fourth-highest-graded Power-5 tackle in draft class
Combine stats:
Height: 6-5
Weight: 304
Arm length: 32 ¼”
Hand size: 9 ⅝”
40-yard dash: 4.95
Bench reps: 28
Broad jump: 9-4
3-cone drill: 7.47
20-yard shuttle: 4.54
What he does best:
–Fantastic athlete for the position. Cuts off 3-techs and linebackers as well as anyone in the class. Looks like a jumbo tight end playing the tackle position
–Understands angles well. Attacks where defensive linemen will be instead of where they are. Would be a terrific zone fit because of it.
–Even though he has a tendency to lunge, Thuney is great at timing his punches
–Experience at both left tackle (senior year) and left guard (junior year) with very high grades at both positions
Biggest concern:
–Noticeably skinny. Possibly stemming from bout with mono in 2014. Likely put on weight to tip the scales at 304 at the combine.
–Persistent forward lean that will get exposed and throw him off balance
–Short arms. Leads to him reaching and lunging in pass protection to try and get the first punch. Might be looked at inside at the next level.
Player comparison:
Justin Pugh, New York Giants. Pugh also had size concerns coming out and was eventually moved to guard where he blossomed in 2015. Thuney may have to take a similar career path.
Bottom line:
The incessant forward lean in Thuney’s is very worrisome and may not be something that can simply be coached out of him. It may be less pronounced if he does move to guard/center where he has less space to cover. That being said, his coordination and production make him one of the most intriguing linemen in this draft.
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