NFL Scouting Report: OT Christian Darrisaw (Virginia Tech)

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Bio

Pos: OT

Hometown: Petersburg, VA

School: Virginia Tech

Class: Junior

Age: 12/2/2000 (21)

Height: 6’5″ * | Weight: 314 lbs *

Hands: N/A | Arms: N/A

Bench: N/A | 40-YD: N/A

*Unofficial measurements

Interesting Facts

1st-Team All-ACC — 0 sacks, 6 total pressures allowed in 2020
95.6 PFF grade (2nd among OTs), 90+ RBK, PBK, ZONE grades
Reduced pressure rate from sophomore season in half (4.3% to 2%)
2,316 career snaps at LT over 34 career games
Started every VA Tech game at LT in 2019 and 2020

Physical Tools

Pros

Prototypical size (6’5″, 315 lbs) and well-built frame
Very powerful, quick hands
Quality arm length
Great mobility for his size
Nimble and flexible lower-half
Natural all-around athlete
3-star recruit, top-ranked overall prep school player in 2018

Cons

No Pro Day data — height, weight, length, etc.

Grade: A

Game Film

Pros

Terrific foot speed to gain depth in pass sets
Hips are quite loose, quality mirror ability
Balanced extension by virtue of his length
Powerful hands and quality functional strength
Good body positioning, knows how to seal off and create a lane
Mobile run-blocker, puller — quickly advances to 2nd level
Keeps good leverage and overall body control
Tremendous growth from sophomore to junior year

Cons

Wins the matchup but doesn’t always bother burying defenders
Tendency to open hips too early rather than riding rusher past QB
Tunnel vision at times, missing a stunt or blitzer
Technique can get sloppy after the initial engagement

Grade: A-

Production

Pros

1st-Team All-ACC, 2nd-highest graded OT in 2020 (95.6)
Tremendous growth from sophomore to junior season
4.3% pressure rate in 2019 dropped to 2%
Zero sacks and hits allowed in 2020
Excellent run-block (94.5), pass-block (90.8), and zone (95.3) grades
Quality 80.8 PFF grade in true pass sets
2-year starter, 2,317 career snaps (all but 1 at LT)

Cons

Only 1 season of top-tier production (with under 300 pass-blocking snaps)
29 total pressures allowed through first 2 years (7 sacks)
Run-heavy offense — lower % of pass reps each season
Only 291 true pass sets — 3 sacks, 4 hits, 17 hurries

Grade: A-

Risk

Pros

Ideal frame (6’5″, 315 lbs) and length for franchise OT
Prototypical athlete, fantastic movement skills
Quality body control and positioning
Drastic improvement each season — 68.6 to 80.3 to 95.6
Constant development & strength shows strong work ethic
Almost 3 full seasons (2,317 snaps) as a Power-5 starting LT
Natural fit for a zone-blocking scheme
High-ceiling prospect, high floor as a pass-protector
Just 21 years old on Draft Day

Cons

Can seem complacent with athleticism, gets sloppy
Would like to see him finish off blocks and play more aggressive
Pass-blocking reps decreased each season, under 300 true pass sets
Only 1 elite season (17, 12 pressures allowed 2018-19)

Grade: A-

Overall

Blessed with an ideal frame, long arms, and an outstanding athletic profile, Christian Darrisaw has all the tools to become a stalwart OT. A 2.5-year starter after accepting his only Power-5 offer, the former Hokie displayed tremendous growth each and every year, culminating with an elite junior campaign to cement himself firmly in the first-round conversation.

Shining in pass protection, he didn’t allow a single sack or QB hit this past season. His mobility allows for a quick engagement at the second level while run-blocking, but it translates into quick feet and great depth when setting up to pass-block. He could certainly refine some technical aspects, but he’s proven capable of handling a variety of rushers off the edge with footwork, length, and heavy hands.

Despite that well-built frame and natural strength, however, Darrisaw doesn’t seem to get into a “mean streak” too often. Rather than try to obliterate the man in front of him, he aims to win positioning and seal off defenders. It’d be fun to see him bury his matchup more often, but his body control and consistent execution shouldn’t be overshadowed.

Ultimately, he’ll be entering a pass-happy league as a high-proficiency pass-blocker — there’s little doubt he’ll be a starter sooner rather than later. He’s not a finished product yet by any means, but the natural power and length he possesses suggest plenty of room to grow and a lofty ceiling. If drafted into a system featuring a number of zone concepts, Christian Darrisaw should experience a relatively seamless transition to the next level.

Pro Comp: OT Russell Okung (Carolina Panthers)

Projected Round: Top-20 Pick

Prime Destinations: DET, CAR, LAC, MIN, LV, WFT, CHI

OVERALL Grade: A-