2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Garrett Dellinger, Offensive Lineman, LSU
| Critical Factors | |||||
| Reactive Athleticism | Anchor/Play Strength | Body Control | |||
| 7 | 7 | 7 | |||
| Positional Factors | |||||
| Run Block | Pass Block | Awareness | Footwork | 2nd Level | Range |
| 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Hand Use | Power | Sustain | Finish | Flexibility | Toughness |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 |
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
| Communication and Leadership | Off the ball push |
| Ability to maintain balance | Defending counter and secondary moves |
| Versatility on the line | Late to adjust on stunts |
Overall
Garrett Dellinger is a versatile and dependable offensive lineman with the skill set to excel at guard or tackle. His athleticism and intelligence make him an excellent fit for schemes emphasizing pass protection and mobility. Dellinger consistently handles his responsibilities in pass blocking, displaying solid anchor strength and lateral quickness to neutralize both speed and power rushers. He is especially effective in zone-run concepts, using his quickness to climb to the second level and seal off defenders. While his leverage and hand usage require further refinement, his toughness, and ability to diagnose defensive schemes make him a reliable presence in the trenches.
Pass Game
Dellinger excels in pass protection, where his quick footwork and strong awareness allow him to handle stunts and blitzes seamlessly. His ability to maintain a square base and recover against secondary moves makes him a reliable option for protecting the quarterback. Though his hand placement can be inconsistent, Dellinger compensates with excellent lateral movement and the strength to anchor against bull rushes. Continued refinement of his hand usage and better flexibility will help him handle elite NFL pass rushers.
Run Game
In the run game, Dellinger is most effective in zone-blocking schemes, using his agility to reach linebackers and create lanes at the second level. His toughness and effort allow him to finish blocks consistently, but his ability to generate a vertical push against stronger interior defenders is inconsistent. Improving his leverage and pad level will enable him to excel in power-run schemes, making him a more complete run blocker. Despite these areas for improvement, Dellinger’s athleticism and competitive edge ensure he remains a dependable presence in the ground game.
Last Word
Dellinger projects as a starting left guard in a zone-heavy offense, with the versatility to provide depth at tackle if needed. His quickness, intelligence, and toughness make him a valuable asset for teams looking to strengthen their offensive line. With continued development, Dellinger could become a high-end starter capable of handling various defensive challenges.
One-Liner
Garrett Dellinger is a versatile, intelligent offensive lineman with strong pass-blocking skills and developmental upside in run blocking.
Grade: 6.6 – Ceiling: 6.8 (20%) Floor: 6.4 (25%) Round: 3
Best Fit Teams:
1. Green Bay Packers
The Packers’ offensive system relies heavily on linemen who can excel in both zone and power schemes, which aligns well with Dellinger’s strengths. His quick footwork and ability to adjust to stunts and blitzes would strengthen the Packers’ pass protection, while his ability to climb to the second level would enhance their run game. Dellinger’s versatility to play guard or tackle would provide valuable depth, allowing the Packers to adjust their offensive line based on injury or matchup needs.
2. New York Jets
The Jets’ offensive line has struggled with consistency, especially in protecting the quarterback. Dellinger’s pass-blocking skills, awareness, and toughness would make him a strong fit at guard or tackle in a zone-based blocking scheme. His ability to handle interior pressure and maintain leverage against bull rushers would give the Jets a reliable presence in the trenches.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles value linemen who can adjust to complex blocking schemes and provide stability in both the run and pass game. Dellinger’s athleticism and football IQ would allow him to fit seamlessly into their offensive system. His ability to handle quick interior rushers and sustain blocks in the running game would make him a valuable addition to an already strong offensive line.
Hunter Kirkhope is an experienced sports data analyst with a strong background in scouting and live data collection. He currently works as a Live Data Analyst at Sports Info Solutions (SIS), where he scouts collegiate football athletes and writes detailed scouting reports based on performance analysis. His expertise includes collecting and analyzing real-time data from USFL games and Division I college football programs, including the University of Akron, Ohio State University, and the University of Pittsburgh.
Hunter’s work at SIS includes providing valuable insights to optimize team performance and inform strategic decisions using industry-standard tools such as Banjo and Connect Teams. He has demonstrated his analytical skills by tracking live statistics for March Madness 2024 and 2025 games and completing a sports analytics certification course through a mock college football game evaluation.
In addition to his professional experience, Hunter has a strong educational foundation in sports analytics and data science. He is pursuing a degree in Sports Data Analytics and Statistics at the University of Akron, where he has excelled in courses like Programming for Data Science, Survival Analytics, Statistical Data Management, and Advanced Statistical Computing. He has also competed in the 2023 and 2024 Cleveland Cavaliers Hackathons, applying his data analysis skills in a competitive environment.
Hunter’s background includes managing game-day operations and logistics as part of the Akron Facilities Staff, as well as serving as the Head Field Crew Manager for the Twinsburg Baseball League. His experience in coordinating events, managing personnel, and maintaining professional environments reflects his strong leadership and operational skills.
Hunter’s technical proficiency includes working with tools like SAS, SPSS, R, Python, C++, and Matlab, along with a deep understanding of sports data collection and performance analysis. His analytical approach and hands-on experience make him a valuable asset in the field of sports analytics and scouting.