Name: Antonio Garcia
School: Troy
Position fit: Tackle
Stats to know: Garcia yielded one QB hit and seven QB hurries in 2016.
What he does best:
- Long arms that are used to control defenders.
- Great footwork and can kick outside or inside to position body to block rusher.
- Athletic and natural movements when pass blocking.
- Showed ability to cover ground on reach blocks and cut off blocks.
- Sixth-best pass-block grade in the nation in 2016 at 87.5.
- Did not yield a sack in 2016.
- Has one of the higher ceilings of offensive lineman in the draft.
- Odd footwork in the run game that may have been a big factor in his poor grade. Fixed with NFL coaching?
Biggest concern:
- Played in an offense with large splits which help his pass protection.
- Bad habit of pulling defenders down when pass blocking.
- Not overly aggressive or physical in the run game.
- Graded poorly especially in run blocking.
- Played in an “Air Raid” offense at Troy. Will he struggle learning NFL pass and run blocking techniques?
- Defenders can get under his pads and push Garcia back.
- Let far too many defenders cross his face on the back side of zone plays.
Bottom line: Garcia’s footwork and length give him all the tools to be a great pass protector in the NFL. Garcia probably fits best in a heavy outside-zone scheme where he can play on the edge and not need to generate movement in the run-blocking game. Garcia struggled at the Senior Bowl playing in a 3-point stance and graded poor in run-blocking grades throughout his career at Troy. Garcia will need to develop physicality in the run game to be a starting NFL tackle. Playing in an “Air Raid” spread offense at Troy obviously means Garcia will undergo a learning curve in the NFL. Garcia’s physical tools and potential make him a nice prospect and he will probably be an early draftee and if he develops could see the field early in the NFL.
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