PFF scouting report: Zach Banner, T, USC

Name: Zach Banner

School: USC

Position fit: Tackle

Stats to know: Surrendered one sack, two QB hits, and six hurries in 2015 before allowing four sacks, one QB hit, and eight hurries in 2016. Committed 24 penalties over the last two years.

What he does best:

• Great frame and length and can “lean on” defenders to control them, especially keeping them outside.
• May never efficiently make backside zone cutoffs, but usually at least gets a part of defenders and gives running back a chance on inside zone plays.
• Rarely whiffs on blocks against reasonable shades.
• Sustains second-level blocks well in the run game.
• Creates good movement on double teams at the point of attack.
• Can play long in pass protection to get rusher at arm length.
• Great at dealing with bull rushes.

Biggest concern:

• Slow first step/weight an issue. Speed gives him trouble off the edge.
• Can’t kick back inside fast enough on pass protection when defender takes good inside move.
• No quick twitch or explosion running in space.
• Angles need a lot of work on the back side of outside zone. May never be quick enough off the ball to excel in this scheme.
• May be scheme-limited at the next level.
• Committed far too many penalties in college.

Bottom line: If protected in a pure passing and power offense, Banner could maybe be OK, but his lack of quick twitch will be an issue against more explosive edge-rushers. He was productive at USC as he’s a capable run-blocker in certain schemes and he has the length to recover in pass protection. Banner is slow to change directions and position his body to make all the necessary blocks, and that will limit his fits at the next level.