2018 NFL Scouting Report: Scouting Notre Dame offensive tackle, Mike McGlinchey

One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos in the first-round of the 2018 NFL Draft is former Notre Dame left tackle, Mike McGlinchey. He is a 6’8”, 309lb offensive tackle who is considered one of, if not the best tackle in the draft. McGlinchey is ranked as the second overall tackle in the 2018 NFL draft according to NFLDraftScout.com and is ranked as the 28th overall prospect in the draft.

McGlinchey’s honors and awards include Notre Dame captain (2017, 2016), Associated Press Second Team All-American (2016), Phil Steele Third Team All-American (2016), Maxwell Award Watch List (2017), Outland Trophy Watch List (2017, 2016), and Lombardi Award Watch List (2016).

Mike McGlinchey, Senior, Notre Dame

Height: 6’8” Weight: 309lbs 40 time: n/a

Arm Length: 34” Hands: 10”

Bench Press: 24 reps Vertical Jump: 28.5 inches

Broad Jump: 105.0 inches

Film Room:

Scouting Report

Strengths:

• Prototypical size for an NFL left tackle
• Has an NFL frame with the desired arm length
• Former tight end with a basketball background so has athletic traits
• Good hip bend and a fluid athlete
• Strong punch and has strong hands
• Mirrors edge rushers well enough
• Has good technique already
• A good pull blocker
• Has experience at left and right tackle
• Also has experience in multiple different blocking schemes
• Had 39 consecutive starts while at Notre Dame
• Named team captain in consecutive years
• Has NFL bloodlines. Is a first-cousins to Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan

Weaknesses:

• Does struggle with speed at times
• Hands get wide and his feet get sloppy when dealing with speed
• Needs to add more core strength
• Plays too high at times
• Probably a right tackle in the NFL

Quotable:

NFL Networks Daniel Jeremiah on Notre Dame tackle Mike McGlinchey

McGlinchey started at right tackle and left tackle during his collegiate career. He has outstanding size for the position. In the passing game, he has average quickness out of his stance but uses his length to keep his chest clean and anchor vs. bull rushers. He does get too narrow at times, which causes him to struggle vs. both speed and counter rushers. I think he’ll benefit from a move back to the right side. In the run game, he does a good job of getting underneath opponents and generating movement at the point of attack. He’s very aware vs. twists and stunts. McGlinchey had some games where he struggled (see: Miami), but he has all of the desired traits to emerge as a quality starting right tackle at the next level.

Does Mike McGlinchey make sense for the Denver Broncos in the first-round?:

McGlinchey has been targeted by many as a potential trade back option for the Broncos if they do decide to go that route. They did have a big need at right tackle but after trading a 6th round pick for tackle Jared Veldheer, do they still target a first-round tackle?

I don’t think so.

A player like McGlinchey is a plug and play option at left or right tackle in the NFL and the Broncos currently do not have that need. I believe they will target a second-tier/developmental guy on day two of the draft to hopefully take over for him in 2019. Prior to Veldheer the trade back option for McGlinchey seemed like a legit option but not anymore.

Overall, I like McGlinchey, but his issues against speed would give me some concerns, especially if he landed in the AFC West. Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, and Justin Houston all reside in the AFC West and you need to be able to hold your own against these guys.