As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Jaelyn Duncan.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles 
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jaelyn Duncan (OT – Maryland)
6’6″ – 320 lbs.
Background:
Redshirted, then played sparingly in 2018 before taking over the starting left tackle job in week two of the 2019 season, a year in which he struggled. Reprised his starting role in each of the three subsequent seasons, finishing with 38 career starts. Allowed seven sacks in 2019, one in 2020, four in 2021, and another seven this past season, per PFF.
Positives:
Durable four-year starter on the blind side with excellent size and weight distribution. Big-framed wall-off blocker who shows an understanding of positioning in the run game; has enough short-area quickness to position himself and seal defenders off from the play. Able to pull to the right side of the line and crack defenders in backside pursuit. Generally does a good job of playing within his frame. Plays with a wide base and adequate lateral quickness in pass protection. Active with his punch and hands, firing them out proactively and resetting his hands well; can occasionally jolt defenders on contact with his punch. Has plenty of lower-body strength to hold the point against power, dropping a pretty early anchor. Keeps his head on a swivel and looks for opportunities to help inside. Works to get out to the second level and secure blocks in the screen game, with adequate athleticism in space, especially for his size.
Negatives:
Regressed this past season relative to the two previous years. Doesn’t play with much of a mean streak. Would like to see him fire out low and with explosiveness more consistently; pad level tends to be high in the run game. Absorbs power well but doesn’t generate much push to drive defenders off of the spot. Kickslide is a little bit mechanical and can be clunky at times. Pre-snap awareness in pass protection seems to be one of the reasons he’s allowed more sacks than usual for a top prospect; too many plays in which he seems not to identify rushers effectively and ends up helping the left guard or not blocking. Occasionally sets up too far outside and doesn’t have the quickest pivot. Can get grabby at times and has been penalty prone, with 29 career penalties. Has just two career snaps at left guard and none at other spots on the line.
Summary:
Didn’t start playing football until he was fourteen, but has plenty of experience at left tackle at the college level, with excellent size and adequate athleticism. He can execute different types of blocking assignments in the run game, walling off opponents effectively, and has enough length and lateral quickness to protect the edge against speed on passing downs. However, lacks nastiness and has been inconsistent and penalty-prone at the college level despite spending four years in the starting lineup. Looks like a boom-or-bust type for an inline scheme who could conceivably (but does not necessarily need to) flip sides or slide inside.
Projection: Round 2-3
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