Maryland’s Jaelyn Duncan Drops Out of the First-Round

Based on his 2021 game film, Maryland’s Jaelyn Duncan looked the part.

I was in love with his footwork in my early fall report, “Maryland’s Jaelyn Duncan Blocks Like A Future All-Pro.”

What a difference a season can make, which is the reason I’m glad to be looking at game film from two seasons, opposed to one.

I am not going to sit here and say there was a huge drop-off in Duncan’s performance from 2021 to 2022, but it was noticeable enough to adjust his grade from a sure-fire starter to a high developmental upside round.

Sweet feet

This is my affectionate nickname for Duncan after evaluating him. He’s got some of the fastest footwork and playing speed I’ve ever seen in a left tackle in 40 years.

He flashed a lightning fast first kick step in pass protection and he showed the ability to slide out with relative ease, all the way to the back door of the pocket, without contact.

He just looks really good setting up to pass block…

One might think he’s the next Rashawn Slater (Chargers’ left tackle) at first glance.

Elite athleticism

I would venture to say there are very few tackles throughout the country that have the athleticism he has.

Maryland Coach Mike Locksley on Jaelyn Duncan, The Baltimore Sun

No doubt, watching Duncan pull on running plays and getting outside in space on screen plays is like watching poetry in motion.

He makes it look effortless.

Duncan gets out into the open field like an oversized tight-end. He moves around at tackle like the best in the business.

So where’s the disconnect?

Awesome feet and elite athleticism, isn’t that what every team wants in a left tackle?

Well, yes, but…

There’s a couple of technical issues that repeatedly showed up on 2022 game film, that will be a real problem against the top pass rushers in the NFL, who tend to come off his side of the line.

Duncan showed a glaring tendency in pass protection to stop moving his feet, when defenders really got into him, which left both the front and back doors of the pocket vulnerable.

When I say vulnerable, I mean he gave up strong pressures and sacks.

This is a technical issue for Duncan, that needs correction if he hopes to play left tackle in the NFL.

Controlling run blocks

This is another area of concern that came to light on his 2022 game film, that also showed in the 2021 season as well.

While Duncan does flash an aggression streak, when he swats a defensive back to the ground like a gnat or when he pancakes a larger defender inside, he is inconsistent in the run blocking department.

This is not as big of a concern as the pass protection issue in today’s pass-happy league, but it is something he needs work on.

Strong Senior Bowl

This is what Giants.com had to say about Duncan’s recent performance at the Reece’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama:

Duncan showed good feet and steady pass protection at left tackle. He also took some snaps at right tackle after Dawand Jones’ injury, but did not look nearly as comfortable on that side of the line.

#71 Jaelyn Duncan 6-foot-6, 320 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2023 NFL Draft Grade: Third-Round (I would select him)

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Bust probability: Moderate

Projected by 26.7% (down from 27.0% on October 14) by the NFL Draft community to be a first-round pick as of February 7, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Michigan, Purdue, and Ohio State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Level of competition: High

2021: Saw action in 13 games and played in 804 snaps while allowing 7 QB hurries, 2 QB hits and 4 sacks (nfldraftbuzz.com)

2022: Saw action in 11 games and played in 724 snaps while allowing 16 QB hurries, 4 QB hits and 7 sacks.

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Inconsistent blocker with long arms who has strong upside. Sets up well initially in the shallow depths in pass pro and uses hands to battle. Shields the perimeter a lot of the time. Runs into trouble when he stops moving his feet. Lowers his head occasionally losing blocking leverage. Gives up ground against strong bull rushes with average anchor. Stronger upper body than lower. Compensates for limitations with outstanding effort level consistently shown. Handled stunts and blitzes looking alert and smart. Mean streak positional run blocker. Inconsistent sustaining. His man ended up in the pile or around it often. Looks smooth moving in space.

Final words

I’m disappointed by his 2022 game film.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.