OT Andre Dillard, Washington St.

6’5” – 315 lbs. – 4.96
Father also played on the offensive line at Washington State. Redshirted, then appeared in three games at left tackle as a freshman before stepping into the starting lineup. Spent each of the next three seasons starting on the blindside to conclude his collegiate career. Size has been confirmed at the Senior Bowl; also has long 34” arms. Plays in Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense, which uses very wide splits to spread the opposing defensive line out, giving defenders longer routes to the quarterback and thus requiring offensive linemen to block one-on-one in a man scheme when running the football. Because of those splits, has an easier time of it in pass protection, allowing him to easily identify his assignment and play with shorter steps instead of trying to get wide and protect the edge against speed; will need to modify that kickslide at the next level accordingly. Pass sets otherwise look good. Plays with good balance. Bends at the knees, keeps his back straight, and has the lateral quickness to mirror once engaged. Has accurate placement with his initial punch and is an effective hand-fighter. However, is not the most physical player; doesn’t jolt opponents with his punch and can occasionally get knocked off-balance by allowing opponents to get into his pads. Anchor can be a little bit late to drop. If not the fastest or most explosive tackle, is nonetheless a pretty smooth athlete who’s able to pull in either direction, whether to lead the way on a screen or to make blocks in the run game. Able to make blocks in space or get up to the second level and engage defenders. Coming from a pass-heavy offense which lines up in the shotgun with four receivers, doesn’t have much experience lining up in a three-point stance and firing out to block in the run game, but flashes the ability to generate push with his positioning and leg drive after contact; workmanlike but doesn’t appear to play with much of a killer instinct. Able to turn defenders out of the hole with a strong grip. Run-blocking assignments were kept relatively simple. A smooth left tackle with good-looking pass sets and who was able to mirror opposing defenders and protect the blind side, but who comes from an offense which simplifies the game for its offensive linemen, meaning he will have to adjust to a much different system at the pro level. As one of only a few prospects in this class who are considered candidates to play left tackle in the pros, will probably come off the board in the first round.