2013 NFL Draft Prospects: David Bakhtiari Scouting Profile

David Bakhtiari (pronounced Bock-T-are-E) is an Offensive Tackle prospect out of Colorado University who has been Mocked to the Denver Broncos at different times this offseason. The 6’4", 299 lb. Redshirt Junior is ranked 9th out of 158 Offensive Tackles and 82nd overall. He is a 2nd-3rd round projection in April’s draft. David ran a 5.09 in the 40 yard dash at the Combine.

BIO

#59 David Bakhtiari
Date of birth: September 30, 1991 (age 21)

COMBINE:
Arm Length-34"
Hand Length-9 1/2"
Bench Press-28
Vertical Jump-25.5"
Broad Jump-101"
3-Cone-7.70
20 Yd Shuttle-4.74
Lateral Agility Score-0.35

2× All-Pac-12 Second Team (2011, 2012)

A 3 year Letterman for the Buffaloes, Bakhtiari his college career at Right Tackle and was groomed to replace Nate Solder at Left Tackle. He started 33 games for 3 seasons, (1 at RT, 2 at LT) improving each year. David graded out as Colorado's top Offensive Tackle at 89.8 percent and graded over 80 percent in all games he played this past season. Phil Steele's College Football placed him on its preseason first-team All-Pac 12 squad and ranked him as the No. 29 tackle in the nation, while Athlon's, Blue Ribbon Yearbook and Lindy's Sports also selected him on their first-team All-Pac 12 units.

In 2011, he earned 2nd-team All-Pac 12 honors from the league coaches, Phil Steele's College Football and collegesportsmadness.com, was a 2nd-team sophomore All-American by collegefootballnews.com and a 1st-team All-Colorado performer as selected by the state's chapter of the National Football Foundation. Bakhtiari started 11 games at Left Tackle, leaving the game after suffered a severe knee sprain on just the 7th offensive play in the season opener at Hawai'i. David ended up missing the next two games (Cal, CSU). His return brought out the best in him, grading out at 90.4 percent in his first game back, at Ohio State. He graded out to 80 percent or better in nine of those 11 games and 84.4 percent for the season, 2nd highest of all the offensive linemen (532 plus plays out of 630 total snaps), he had 21 "great effort" blocks, two Touchdown blocks and 12 downfield blocks while allowing just two Quarterback Sacks and three pressures; he was called for just one penalty all year. David entered the fall atop the depth chart at Left Tackle, as he switched over from the Right side where he played as a redshirt freshman.

As a Redshirt Freshman in 2010, he played in all 12 games, starting 11; he did not start against Texas Tech, but did play 24 snaps. David participated in the 3rd most snaps on Offense (796), trailing only Nate Solder and Ryan Miller. He had 715 "plus" plays, he graded out to 89.8 percent for the year, 2nd best behind Solder's 94.3. Bakhtiari graded out to 80 percent or higher in all 12 games, and 90 percent or greater seven times. He had 59 finishing/knockdown blocks, 4th on the team, with 3 Touchdown blocks, tied for the 3rd-most. He allowed just one Quarterback Sack and seven pressures, but was flagged for six penalties. Most of those came early in the season when he was getting his feet wet. He had five or more finish/KD blocks on eight occasions, and his best single-game grade of 94.7 percent came in a dominant performance against Kansas State (71 plus plays out of 75 total). At Kansas, he recovered a Fumble after a Quarterback Sack and returned it seven yards, reducing a 13-yard loss to six.

Redshirted in 2009, David practiced on the Offensive Line the entire fall and earned 2nd-team Academic All-Big 12 recognition.

DRAFT PROFILE

NFL.COM DRAFT GRADE - 70.5

STRENGTHS: Bakhtiari has a consistent low posture and first contact through his hands is there. Has a strong grip and latch to control rushers when obtained. Frequently limits inside moves and very aware of slowed footwork when opponent is setting up a second move. He drives forward in these situations, specifically with the inside armbar to cut off the shorter path. Flashes a mean attitude to finish off plays, takes opponents down that have lost their balance. Can really get after it, an attacker rather than passive blocker. Brings the club with one hand when wanting to release in space on screen plays. Doesn't wait on blocks at the 2nd level and seeks out contact. If uncovered he always helps inside in pass protection and delivers a nice punch. David flashes the initial quickness, balance and upper body strength to control opponents.

WEAKNESSES: Bakhtiari doesn't exactly have the ideal build for an Offensive Tackle as he is thin in the arms. He has difficulties when pass blocking on an island. He gets beat around the edge without slowing the rusher down and will lose ground against stiff contact due to not having the ability to sit down and anchor. A move to Guard is likely in his future. His deep drop steps aren't natural and stiff contact jolts him mid-stride. He loses on counter moves and gets thrown to the side when top heavy or leaning too far over, specifically when run blocking. Whiffs on cut blocks.

Bakhtiari established himself as one of the Pac-12's most physical and consistent offensive linemen over his three seasons at tackle for the Buffs. Although the lack of talent around him contributed to Colorado's recent struggles, David has been a relative bright spot, earning 2nd-team all-conference honors each of the past two years. - Rob Rang, CBSSports

NFL COMPARISON: Will Rackley (Jaguars)

BOTTOM LINE: Despite playing his entire career on the edge at tackle, expect the Colorado product to move inside in the NFL. He needs to gain weight as to not get jolted on first contact, but Bakhtiari possesses a mean attitude to finish off blocks and could be a late second-day selection. David said he is being projected as a LT and C by some teams, even though he has never snapped before. He has 34 inch arms, so a move to Guard might be in his best interests, since he already possesses an aggressive attitude.

NFLDraft Scout

VIDEOS

David Bakhtiari vs USC (2012)

Colorado Football Spring Practice March 17 - Offensive Line

Exclusive Interview with Colorado Buffaloes David Bakhtiari

David Bakhtiari will make a good Offensive Guard at the next level. He has the tenacity for the position and his 34" arms would be an asset there. Like most college prospects, he could use some seasoning, but a 2nd to 3rd round grade for an Offensive Lineman means he is an above average prospect. That is a good place to start for a team such as the Broncos, who need some talent to keep developing along their O-Line.

Go Broncos!

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