With the 107th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft the New York Jets select:
Brandon Parker OT North Carolina A&T
OT 6'8" 305
At 6-foot-7 1/4, 323 pounds, Parker is a physical specimen, still surprisingly lean and one of the bigger prospects for the April 26-28 draft. Generally projected to be selected in the third or fourth round, “Big Stuff” is one of the tallest players and had the largest wingspan (85 1/4 inches) at the Senior Bowl last month.
Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T
6-7 5/8, 305
Many consider Parker will be the second FCS player drafted after South Dakota State tight end Dallas Goedert, who’s likely a second-round pick. Parker measured in well, including an exceptional wingspan (84 7/8). His athleticism was on display with a 9-foot, 5-inch broad jump, which tied for third among offensive linemen. Basically, the three-time MEAC offensive lineman of the year did little to tarnish the intrigue surrounding him.
NC A&T’s Brandon Parker is a small-school 2018 NFL Draft offensive line prospect who has some major upside.
Brandon Parker features excellent size, arm length and build for the offensive tackle position. He also brings good athleticism to the table. Despite playing at a lower level, Parker is one of the more intriguing 2018 NFL Draft prospects.
The NFL is desperate for good offensive tackle play and will be ready to take a gamble on someone with Parker’s upside. He has a rare combination of size and athleticism which coaches love to take and mold into a star.
In the running game, Parker fires off the ball and looks to gain inside hands. He keeps his legs churning after contact and can generate a solid push. Parker flashes the nasty streak evaluators want to see.
However, he would benefit from adding more strength and developing a stronger initial punch.
Parker is a natural athlete with good bend for his size. He is able to sit into his stance and mirror the pass rush. His arm length is key to his ability keep the quarterback clean. Parker’s overall size and length creates a longer path for defenders.
Despite his natural feel for pass protection, Parker does need to clean up a few areas of his approach. He must be more consistent with his pad level. His height makes it harder for him to maintain leverage and balance.
There are times where he raises his pad level which impacts his change of direction skills and exposes too much of his frame. He was able to get away with this playing at NC A&T, but NFL pass rushers know how to expose this type of weakness.
Overall, Parker is a naturally gifted player with the upside to be a starting left tackle in the NFL. He may need some time to perfect his craft, but there should be plenty of teams interested in his services.
@DaveFan'51 is on the clock
@Merlin is on deck
