Seth McLaughlin

Height: 6'4
Weight: 305 pounds
DOB: N/A
Ohio State

Strengths

Play Strength: While Seth McLaughlin isn't the strongest offensive lineman in this draft class, he brings plenty of play strength to his game. He creates consistent movement at the point of attack and jolts defenders.  

Technique: While McLaughlin isn't perfect, he consistently demonstrates a good grasp of clean fundamentals and technique. His hands are strong and independent but well-timed, landing with consistent accuracy and control reps throughout. 

Anchor: McLaughlin absorbs power rushes with ease and is quick to settle and drop into his anchor. 

Awareness: McLaughlin's experience comes through on film. He's quick to diagnose stunts and other games that teams throw at him as well as quick to look for work when his assignment breaks off. 

Weaknesses

Pad Level: McLaughlin tends to play high, causing him to slip off blocks late in the rep. He can also be driven back by power quicker than he should be, simply off of losing the battle of leverage. 

Limited Athleticism: McLaughlin is by no means a bad athlete, but it's closer to average than anything else. He's just quick enough to hang as a starter in the NFL but he doesn't possess a ton of athletic upside to be in the upper echelons of starters. 

Injury: Seth McLaughlin suffered a torn Achilles in Week 10 of the season, limiting what he can do in the NFL until the end of his rookie season. 

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Player Evaluation

Every year, we get offensive line prospects whose film is remarkably boring. While that sounds like an indictment, it's not when it comes to offensive linemen. Some guys are capable of executing everything cleanly with little flair and more often than not, those prospects carve out long careers in the NFL. Seth McLaughlin is no different.

Nothing pops off of his film as anything higher than good, but he doesn't possess a ton of weaknesses. That, combined with his technical refinement and good play strength, gives him a high floor as a prospect. 

McLaughlin feels like a prospect capable of being a high-quality backup or potential starter at center for a decade-long career. 

Player Comparison

Ethan Pocic (Cleveland Browns)

It's tough to nail an exact comp for McLaughlin, but this feels about right for what I expect from his career. Pocic is a solid starting center for the Browns and is just outside what I would consider the top ten centers in the league. He's rock solid and steady at the pivot. While he shouldn't be the best player on a team's starting five, he's solid enough to hang and anchor the middle of an offensive line. I consider McLaughlin about the same.  

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A to Z Rankings

A to Z Consensus Big Board Ranking: #121st overall, #10 IOL

A to Z Draft Grade: 6.31

Draft Projection: Early Day Three