2017 NFL Draft Profile: Garrett Bolles
Garett Bolles enters the 2017 NFL Draft as being in the conversation for the top tackle prospect. An interesting backstory of misdemeanours and redemption, Bolles joined Utah after playing junior college football for two years. Brimming with athleticism and character, Bolles would be a great addition to a locker-room.
Combine Results
For a big man, Bolles moves quickly. That showed up in Indiana.
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 297 lbs
40-Yard Dash: 4.95 seconds
Vertical Jump: 28 inches
Broad Jump: 115 inches
Three Cone Drill: 7.29 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.55 seconds
RAF Big Board Ranking: #34
Strengths
Athleticism, primarily. Firing into the second level and adjusting his body to meet the necessary blocking angle are both well within the 24-year-old’s capabilities.
I think Garett Bolles has the best feet of any offensive tackle in this draft class. The speed at which the Utah-native can manipulate his weight to be pointing in a different direction is invaluable in the running game.
Using good length to get a hand on defensive linemen can cause them a world of difficulty, as they struggle to even get near First Team All-Pac 12 from 2016.
As a character, Bolles is undeniable. Loved by teammates and fans alike, you need Garret Bolles’s in your club.
Weaknesses
Core strength is a big issue. Some have attributed his unconventional route to the top as being the source of this problem since he’s not been in a top tier strength and conditioning program for longer than a year.
Pad level can be high at times, leading to the potential of balance issues on the NFL level.
As a result of his lack of strength, Bolles will struggle to impact blocks for an entire play in the NFL in his early career. Whilst he brings a high motor, his inability to repeatedly clobber an opposing d-lineman might put some teams off.
The Verdict
Garett Bolles will be a project tackle but provides an outstanding set of feet from Day One. If he can bulk up, add weight to his frame, and gain enough power to bully defensive linemen, we could be looking at a franchise left tackle.
Draft Prediction: Teams who can afford to sit Bolles and let him gain strength and confidence will be eyeing up the former Ute. That could include teams with established but ageing left tackles, or teams that aren’t under any kind of pressure to get into the playoffs this year. As for around, we’re looking at late Round One into mid Round Two.