Calvin

Throckmorton

He was also listed as a DNP on Monday. Peat left Week 6 with a chest injury, and he appears to be at best doubtful for Thursday night. Calvin Throckmorton, who got the start at left guard when Peat was out in Week 4, is dealing with a hip injury of his own, but he appears likely to play this week.

Throckmorton was one of the best offensive lineman in the Pac-12 in his time with the Ducks, and was an analytical darling; receiving a 90.2 pass-blocking grade. The 6-foot-5, 317-pound tackle absolutely tanked the combine, however, so it wasn’t a huge surprise that Throckmorton went unselected. He’ll get a chance to show that his athletic limitations won’t keep him from being an NFL player in New Orleans.

Throckmorton (6'5/317) played four different positions on the line for the Ducks and is considered to be one of the more versatile OL prospects in the 2020 class. The third-team AP All-American was awarded a 90.2 pass-block grade last season, highest in the class with Georgia T Andrew Thomas finishing a close second with a 89.0 rating. Of course Throckmorton’s run grade of 78.3 pales in comparison to Thomas’ run-block rating of 91.4, but the high pass-block rating distinguishes Throckmorton from some of his competitors. Though athletically limited, the cerebral Throckmorton’s ability to play multiple line positions will likely garner him a Day 3 selection.

Throckmorton was a very productive player with the Ducks, but his testing at the NFL Scouting Combine seems to confirm that he lacks the athleticism to be a tackle at the highest level. As Renner notes, center is the position that has proven to be the one that hides those physical limitations the most. "..while he’s played 2,706 snaps at right tackle throughout his career, Throckmorton has also cross-trained at every single position along the offensive line, with 230 coming at center,” the analyst writes. “Over his four years as a starter, Throckmorton earned a pass-blocking grade of 91.2 and a run-blocking grade of 80.2.” The versatility is the biggest selling point, but someone might get a starting center on Day 3 by selecting Throckmorton.

Throckmorton (6'5/317) was praised by Zierlein for his upper body strength and technique, but the lower body is where he runs into trouble. “The problem for Throckmorton is that for all his contact balance and diligence to play under control, his lower body stiffness and lack of functional quickness permeates his play in both the run and pass and will be much more pronounced on an NFL offensive line,” Zierlein wrote. Throckmorton, who had one of the slowest times in the 40-yard dash for his position group at the NFL Scouting Combine, projects to be a Day 3 selection come April.

Throckmorton (6'5/317) posted the second lowest time of anyone who has run the 40-yard dash so far, as only Washington’s Trey Adams (5.60) was slower in Indianapolis. He’s considered a sleeper by many in the class, but this time confirms that he likely won’t get any wide receiver reps. More concerning were Throckmorton’s cone drills were among the lowest, as well. He projects as a Day 3 selection at this point, despite his production at the collegiate level.

Throckmorton (6'5/309) was a late addition due to other players pulling out due to injury or personal reasons. As a result he’ll get to block for QB Justin Herbert one last time at the biggest postseason all-star game. Throckmorton is considered to be on that Day 2/3 fringe, and a good showing in Mobile could be the first step toward ensuring that he doesn’t have to wait until the final day of the NFL Draft to hear his name called.

About a month ago, Throckmorton (6'5/309) accepted an invite to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, but the Shrine Bowl is a step above that. Throckmorton entered the season as a top senior OL prospect, but failed to improve his stock at all, while other seniors and some underclassmen came to rise above him. Throckmorton was a four-year starter at right tackle for the Ducks.

Throckmorton (6'6/318) is known for his versatility, as he was the only FBS lineman in 2018 to start at four different positions on the offensive line - RT, C, RG, LT. He has allowed only one sack over his last 31 games and has made 38 consecutive starts for the Ducks. Throckmorton was graded as the best tackle in the Pac 12 and seventh best in the nation by Pro Football Focus, so it’s interesting to see such a highly decorated player not being invited to the Senior Bowl. Throckmorton’s stock has dropped from his stellar 2018 and is now viewed as a Day 2 or 3 NFL Draft prospect.

Schwartz noted that McGary “kind of climbed up draft boards late” due to his versatility (McGary ultimately landed as a Day 1 pick with the Falcons). The analyst described the 6-foot-6, 318-pounder as a “big, physical kid” who is “very bright.” Throckmorton could play tackle, guard or (in a pinch) center at the next level. Crucial for his stock and standing, Throckmorton has recovered in full from the dislocated ankle he sustained in bowl action last winter and shown no issues on the health front during the current campaign.