2016 NFL Draft: Missouri’s Conner McGovern Scouting Report
By Jon Dove
Missouri’s Conner McGovern Scouting Report
Conner McGovern is a college left tackle who will need to move inside to guard or center at the next level. He just lacks the measurables and athleticism needed to hold up in space. McGovern had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl working on the interior which created optimism for his potential position switch.
The concerns with McGovern’s game are that he plays with a high pad level and stiffness. He’s not a natural bender which makes it difficult for him to gain leverage off the ball. His stiffness limits his ability to change direction and play with balance.
He also has short arms which is one of the main reasons he’ll need to move inside. This lack of reach allows defenders to gain inside hand placement and makes it difficult for McGovern to Velcro.
While McGovern plays with stiffness, he does show a solid burst off the line of scrimmage. This helps him overcome his lack of arm length and get some inside hand placement. McGovern is able to generate a push in the running game thanks to his strong initial jolt and the fact he keeps his legs moving.
There will be some that value McGovern’s experience at tackle and see someone with the potential to play multiple positions. This versatility will help teams overcome injury problems by plugging McGovern in where needed.
However, there will be a bit of a learning curve for McGovern who is coming from an offense that was very spread-heavy.
Draft Range: 5th Round