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Home / frontnfl / 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: OT James Hudson
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2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: OT James Hudson


Positional ranking: #5

Big Board ranking: #55

 

Overview

Position: OT

College: Cincinnati

Class: Junior

Age: 21

 

Measurables

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 310 lbs.

Arm length: N/A

Hand size: N/A

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: N/A

Vertical jump: N/A

Broad jump: N/A

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Former defensive lineman with big upside. Excellent overall athleticism and explosiveness. Prototype frame/build. Elite first-step quickness. Low and athletic out of his stance. Clear power with untapped potential when technique is cleaned up. Great mobility and acceleration. Plus awareness and field vision. Generates impressive drive when engaged. Able to reach various blocks at the first and second level. Very strong hands. Possesses a haymaker-like gather strike. Physical and wants to hit people. Brings an attacking mentality. Will get someone to the ground and immediately pounce to bury them. Natural mirror skills in pass protection. Keeps a strong and wide base. Able to erase the speed rush despite lacking refined technique. Shows noticeable excitement for team success whether or not he was a key part of the play. Very good in brief action versus top competition.

 

Weaknesses

Needs to clean up overall technique. Upper and lower halves not always connected. Gets too forward-leaning and stiff. Could play with more consistent control. Slow reacting to inside pressure. Hands are often used without a target area in mind. Very limited experience with just one season as a starter.

 

NFL comparison

Garett Bolles

 

Conclusion

Overall, Hudson is an exciting prospect with impressive enough play in 2020 to suggest elite upside at offensive tackle, but he needs to end up in the right situation to maximize his development. A zone-blocking scheme would likely be the best fit for Hudson’s athletic skillset.

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