2013 NFL Draft: Oday Aboushi Prospect Profile
By John Carey
Oct 15, 2011; Charlottesville VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers offensive tackle Oday Aboushi (72) lines up for a play against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second quarter at Scott Stadium. Virginia defeated Georgia Tech 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports
Oday Aboushi is a naturally large tackle, and he has the frame to fill out more weight throughout his career. He played both left and right tackle while at Virginia and while he is not the most athletic tackle and his pass protection is questionable, his physicality and aggression will allow him to be an early starter in his NFL career.
Measurables:
6’5” Height
33 7/8” Arms
308 lbs. Weight
10 5/8” Hands
Strengths:
One of Aboushi’s biggest strengths is that he is an extremely physical and aggressive player. He often shoves defensive ends around and gets them off balance, and will then take them to the ground if he has the chance. In the run game, he is able to drive his man downfield and open a seam for the running back to plow through. He is also mobile enough to be able to lead running plays on the outside, such as the pull play that Virginia used with him multiple times. Aboushi gets a very strong initial punch on his defender and possesses the hands to control his opponents. He was a team captain for Virginia in 2012, and reportedly was constantly in the film room when he could be during game week, trying to figure out his opponents and even critiquing his own play. His effort blocking on the second level was one of the best I saw of the entire group of offensive lineman in this draft. He had a very good week at the Senior Bowl, shoving around some of the best defenders in this class. For his NFL career he is probably a best fit at right tackle, but could also swing inside to guard if a team needed him to.
Weaknesses:
Aboushi is definitely not an elite athlete, and compared to his fellow draft-mates Luke Joeckel and Lane Johnson, he is pretty slow. He ran a 5.45 at the combine, which is telling that he is not quick enough to be a left tackle in the NFL but more of a right tackle. He was sometimes beat by the more quick and agile defenders on the edge in college, and when facing the quicker players he often would pop out of his stance and would stay too high on the play and get beat low. On occasion he will stop his feet while punching his defenders, which can allow the defender to spin around him. Fundamentally, he can be lazy at times, leaning into his opponent rather than staying balanced and in the right technique. His arm length is also too small for him to play left tackle at the pro level, and he also never did play inside at guard in his career, so that might be a problem should he get moved inside, much like we saw Jeff Allen of the Chiefs struggle to move inside this past season.
Projection:
As I have stated before, Oday Aboushi will be drafted as a right tackle or guard project, though he could start immediately at right tackle for a team. There is little chance he gets drafted in the first round this April, but definitely has a chance to be a mid-2nd to 3rd round pick.
Grade: 7.5