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According to NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks, the Indianapolis Colts are projected to select Virginia Tech offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw with the 21st overall pick in his 2021 NFL Mock Draft:
Pick 21
Indianapolis Colts
Christian Darrisaw · OT
School: Virginia Tech | Year: Junior
The recent retirement of Anthony Castonzo prompts GM Chris Ballard to fill the left tackle spot with a nimble, big-bodied edge blocker.
The 6’5”, 314 pound junior offensive tackle started in all 9 games this past season on the blindside for the Hokies—earning 2020 First-Team All-ACC honors.
He also started all 13 games at left tackle as a sophomore in 2019.
Here’s his scouting report via NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah:
“Darrisaw was a solid, reliable starter at left tackle during his career with the Hokies. He has ideal size, length and balance. In the passing game, he has average foot quickness in his set but can bend his knees and plays with a firm base. He has a sharp two-hand punch and generally keeps defenders away from his chest. He plays with excellent awareness. He uses his upper-body strength to torque and turn defenders in the run game. He takes good angles to the second level, where he’s able to position and wall off linebackers. He will have some trouble adjusting in space because of his average change-of-direction skills. I view Darrisaw as a player who’ll be starting at right tackle very early in his NFL career.”
Spent the last few weeks studying OL for 2021 NFL Draft. Here’s my top 5 so far—
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) November 28, 2020
1) Rashawn Slater (Northwestern)
2) Penei Sewell (Oregon)
3) Alijah Vera-Tucker (USC)
4) Christian Darrisaw (Virginia Tech)
5) Teven Jenkins (Oklahoma St)
Here’s what others are saying:
Easy to see why @dpbrugler is hearing 1st Round buzz from VaTech OT Christian Darrisaw.
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) October 11, 2020
Massive, mauling OT with good quickness/balance - big but not sloppy
I think Chazz Surratt will be seeing him in his nightmares. Darrisaw did some good work on 2nd/3rd levels in loss vs UNC pic.twitter.com/qk7Sk94XLG
LT Christian Darrisaw is a mauling/people mover... Reminds me a bit of La’el Collins
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) October 8, 2020
Have you studied him @MoveTheSticks?!
Played high school football with Boston College OL Zion Johnson before going to Fort Union Military academy pic.twitter.com/ZM2i8J1yfW
#VirginiaTech LT Christian Darrisaw is a human bulldozer.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) December 6, 2020
That's what a people mover looks like! And why the 1st round buzz is legit.
And one of my personal favorite prospects, #VirginiaTech OT Christian Darrisaw against Wake Forest's Boogie Basham. Darrisaw is a people mover in the run game and controls rushers with his hands in pass pro. Boogie will be a great test for Darrisaw.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) October 24, 2020
Christian Darrisaw is a BULLY.
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) January 19, 2021
Highest-graded run-blocker at OT pic.twitter.com/0OEujcdppS
Only FBS OL with 90+ pass and run blocking grades:
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) January 13, 2021
Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
Brady Christensen, BYU pic.twitter.com/193U1ox1Vs
Love Christian Darrisaw's mentality and aggressiveness. No one blitzing off the edge, he finds work and lays a man out. Pass pro doesn't have to be passive at all. pic.twitter.com/xboYpWOIMA
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 20, 2021
Few more pass sets. Darrisaw has a good anchor/base so he'll often let guys come to him. Sit back, get to your set point, and then finish with your hands. Really smooth and explosive out of his stance to cut off the angle/maintain leverage or run him past the QB. pic.twitter.com/Pkgv7B8GoN
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) February 1, 2021
Of course, the Colts have a glaring hole at starting left tackle as longtime veteran blindside bookend Anthony Castonzo retired earlier this offseason, and the team has no viable in-house replacement to fill his giant void.
Already pretty polished, Darrisaw seems like a plug-and-play starter at left tackle—although it does appear as though there’s some pro projection that he’s more of a natural offensive guard or right tackle at the next level to be aware of.