Jack

Driscoll

Watt isn’t expected to get his usual amount of snaps, but the future Hall of Famer will be able to held as a pass-rusher in sub-packages in the winner-take-all game. The Steelers inactives for Week 18 will be WR Roman Wilson, QB Will Howard, RB Kaleb Johnson, CB Tre Flowers, LB Jeremiah Moon and OT Jack Driscoll.

The move officially ends Driscoll’s fifth NFL campaign. Driscoll made one start at right guard earlier this year when the team was particularly banged up in the trenches. He will be a free agent in the spring.

A two-year starter in coach Gus Malzahn’s spread RPO offense, Driscoll (6'4/306) made 20 starts at left guard, left tackle, and right tackle at UMass before transferring and finishing his career on Auburn’s right side. Only 0.5% of his offensive snaps in college resulted in a quarterback hurry, hit, or sack, the second-lowest mark among all FBS tackles. Coaches at the next level will likely be drawn to his high football IQ, which he leveraged into a 3.8 GPA and William V. Campbell Trophy nomination for the American college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance. Unfortunately, his lacking strength and length project him as a a utility lineman with a solid yet unspectacular skillset.

It makes sense that a right tackle playing opposite a potential top-100 pick at left tackle (Prince Tega Wanogho) would fly a bit under the radar. Per Pro Football Focus, Driscoll allowed just 22 pressures in 829 pass-blocking reps over the course of two seasons at Auburn. Furthermore, Driscoll showed similar success at UMass, where he played prior to transferring to Auburn. The 6-foot-5, 306-pounder also had himself a decent showing at the NFL Combine, firmly solidifying himself as athletically capable of being a starting bookend in the NFL. Look for Driscoll to be a Day 3 pick who could surprise early on in his career.

Driscoll (6'5/306) posted the fifth-best run among offensive linemen on Friday. NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein views his best pro fit as likely coming in a zone-blocking scheme and compares the Auburn tackle to 49ers T Daniel Brunskill. If he is to land in the draft, Driscoll would slot in at some point on Day 3.

Despite a number of deficiencies, Zierlein points to Driscoll’s capabilities as a zone-scheme blocker as why he may find a fit in the NFL. With that in mind, the comparison to Brunskill, who plays in Kyle Shanahan’s zone-heavy scheme, makes sense. Driscoll (6'5/306) was a four-year starter with just enough athleticism to get by as a bookend in pass pro and as a run blocker working to the second level. Zierlein does, however, knock Driscoll a bit for his lack of arm length.

Driscoll (6'5/296), who began his career at UMass before joining the Auburn program as a grad transfer ahead of the 2018 season, started all 13 games at right tackle this season. He can be used at multiple spots on the offensive line, and the versatility combined with the nasty streak makes Driscoll a player whose name could be called during Day 2 of April’s NFL Draft.

Driscoll was a limited participant in practice the previous week, but did not play in the 23-9 loss to Mississippi State on Saturday. He was able to practice on Tuesday, which gives him a decent chance to play against the Volunteers on Saturday. If he can’t play, Austin Troxell will likely start for the Tigers.

Driscoll (6'5/300) was injured in the Tigers’ Week 5 win over Southern Miss. Gus Malzahn pointed to Bailey Sharp, Calvin Ashley and Austin Troxell as three players who could see extra responsibilities should Driscoll be forced to miss the contest. Fellow starting tackle Prince Wanogho was also injured versus the Golden Eagles.

Driscoll (6'5/294) started all 12 games for the minutemen in 2017 and was named to the Phil Steele All-Independent First Team as well as the All-Eastern College Athletic Conference Second Team. Driscoll is a good addition for the Tigers who not only lost four starters from last year’s offensive line but Nick Brahms, Kaleb Kim and Tucker Brown struggled through injuries this spring. Driscoll should have a good chance to start right away.