Player Profile: Jake Matthews

Height: 6'5
Weight:  308
School:  Texas A&M
Position:  Offensive Tackle
Ranking:  #1 Tackle
Projection:  Top 10

Strengths
-Experienced.  Started since his true freshman year.  33 consecutive starts
-Versatility.  Has played both right and left tackle.  Long snapper in 2012
-Production.  Playing in Big 12 and SEC has faced off against some of the best pass rushers in college
-Good frame for the tackle position who could still add weight
-Does good work understanding twists, stunts, and blitzes and adjusting to the pass rush
-Good athlete who can get out in space and to the next level.
-Excellent footwork combined with lightness on his feet allow him to slide side to side to mirror defenders
-Does a good job of adjusting to the pass rush and keeping defender in front of him.
-Does a good job of locking into defenders when he gets his hands on them.  Hard to get off his blocks
-Does a great job firing off the ball in the run game
-Lineage.  Dad is a Hall of Famer, brother is in the league.  He'll know what to expect
-Great character.  Film Room Rat.  Involved in the Community

Weaknesses
-Not an overly powerful run blocker.  Doesn't necessarily move guys off their spot
-Stronger rushers can get a good push on him.  Needs to improve strength to get a better anchor
-Has a tendency to get beat on moves to the inside
-When beat, he will hold and get called for it.

Summary
If he declared last year after his junior season Matthews could have easily been a top 20 selection, but knowing a season on the left side could only enhance his stock.  And that is exactly what he's done this year.  Playing LT for the Aggies Matthews showed off his athleticism and footwork that makes him one of the best tackles in this class.  Despite being 6'5 305 pounds he moves very easily and A&M liked to send him to go after linebackers and pull in the run game.  But he'll make his hay pass blocking.  Matthews does a great job getting set up quickly and that allows him to counter any move the defender does.  I would like to see him get stronger in both his anchor and his punch, but his footwork and agility allow him to slide side to side against any type of rusher.  Matthews is a lock of a top 10 selection and personally I like him better than Joeckel last year.