2017 NFL Draft: Western Kentucky Forrest Lamp Scouting Report

Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers offensive lineman Forrest Lamp (76) blocks Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Tim Williams (56) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers offensive lineman Forrest Lamp (76) blocks Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Tim Williams (56) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Western Kentucky’s Forrest Lamp is an offensive line prospect who has generated some draft buzz despite coming from a smaller school.

Forrest Lamp spent the majority of his career playing left tackle at Western Kentucky. In this role, he showed solid overall athleticism and balance. His success relied heavily on the quickness he has getting out of his stance and into his set.

Lamp keeps a wide base and his hands out in front of his body. This helps him keep balanced and mirror the pass rusher. The wide base also gives him to ability to anchor after contact and keep pressure out of the quarterback’s face. He doesn’t have elite quickness, but knows how to use angles to protect the edge.

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Lamp can change direction to protect against inside counters but this is an area where he will get exposed at the next level.

He’s capable of playing offensive tackle in the NFL, but would be better served moving inside to guard. His movement skills are just a notch below what you’d want to see from someone working in space. The better pass rushers in the NFL will be able to find ways to exploit Lamp’s weaknesses.

The move inside will require some work as Lamp needs to get strong at the point of attack. He needs to improve his overall strength and focus on rolling his hips to deliver an explosive punch. During his time at Western Kentucky, Lamp was more effective sealing the defender from the play rather than driving him off the ball.

Adding strength shouldn’t be to difficult for Lamp after he gets involved with the elite strength and conditioning coaches at the next level. Overall, Lamp is a solid prospect with the upside to develop into an above-average starter. He needs some time to develop and mature physically.

Current Draft Range: 3rd Round