Player Profile: DJ Fluker

DJ Fluker

Height:  6'5
Weight:  355
School:  Alabama
Position:  Offensive Tackle
Rank:  #4 Offensive Tackle
Projection:  Late 1st, Early 2nd

Strengths
-Extremely long arms (36 3/8) that allow him to keep defenders off his body
-Experienced.  Started 36 games in the SEC.
-Massive size allows him to anchor in against power rusher.  Rarely pushed back
-Very strong upper body.  Once he locks on, your done
-Moves well for his size.
-Good quickness off the ball
-Good punch that can rock defenders back
-Good instincts that help him predict what the defender wants to do
-Never gives up.  Plays through whistle.

Weaknesses
-Played only Right Tackle in college.  Can he play LT in the NFL?
-Weight Issues.  Can he keep it at a maintainable number?  Weighed 400 LB at one point.
-Inconsistent.  Can dominate at times and then let lesser players beat him.
-Doesn't have the best balance.
-Tends to lung
-Not a natural knee bender.  May make it hard if he has to move inside to guard.
-Conditioning.  Can get wore out by the end of the game.

Summary
Fluker is a massive man who is a pretty good athlete for being so big.  He's started since his sophomore year on one of the best offensive lines in the past decade.  Because of his size, athletic ability, and long arms many people feel that Fluker could slide over to the Left Tackle spot in the NFL.  However you have to be concerned if that was true, why hasn't he played there in college?  Even when they moved Barrett Jones from LT to C.  The problem with DJ is that he does move good for his size, but that doesn't mean that he moves well.  He struggles to mirror pass rushers and move good latterly.  He struggles against speed rushers.  That is exactly the things he needs to be good at to play LT in the NFL.  Fluker is a very good run blocker using his massive size to engulf defenders and move them off their spot.  With that said, Fluker's best position is probably Right Tackle.  He's not a natural knee bender but if he can fix some technique flaws he may be able to move inside where he could be an elite guard.  Look for Fluker to go somewhere in the early second round, but if some teams feels that he can play LT he could go in the early 20s.  A team like Detroit who needs help at both guard and right tackle could be an option in round 2.