Round 4 - Pick #140, Zach Tom, OL, Wake Forest

[Ghost_Lombardi]

[paco]

I mean, of course. Dude is probably going to replace Bakh!

[go pak go]

Another versatile Olineman.

He played Center and LT at Wake Forest.

[Pckfn23]

Why are they calling him an interior guy?

[paco]

Why are they calling him an interior guy?

That seems like most of the projections. I think its because he's not 6'5 and he's light. Bakh was 6'4" 299 coming out and ended up the best LT in the league (I thought of him as a center). If he can put on more muscle like Bakh, watch out.

[salmar80]

AR should appreciate an intelligent, athletic C or guard.

Maybe Tom or his parents invent an antidote for butt sweat while at it.

I just had to try DRAFT for Wordle. Didn't work. Not rigged.

[Labrev]

OMG! Doubs and Tom are an amazing haul in Round 4.

We are $$$ with Round 4 OL and Tom has the athleticism to develop into a Bakh replacement. I like that he has C experience/versatility but I would keep him at LT until and unless he proves unable to play there.

[paco]

Jon Eric said he's a lot like Billy Turner with his versatility and the way he plays.

[Pckfn23]

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Draft Scouting Report:

Rating: 80.79 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Mason Cole

Strengths:

College LT who *probably* should kick inside at the pro game. Unusual positional shift from center to left tackle in his final two seasons. Absolutely could play out on the edge in a pinch. Excellent, elite-level short-area quickness. Quick-set specialist. Like lightning out of his stance, and plays with a textbook, crouched stance. Never flails at defenders. Bounces inside out with ease. Balance is above-average and not a lunger by any stretch of the imagination. Anchor is surprisingly good, mostly his back-bending skill. Inside he could be a dream for a team with a zone-blocking scheme. Has enough twitch to play center.

Weaknesses:

On the lighter, shorter-arm size by NFL standards. Occasionally late with his hands, and long rushers give him problems. Needs to pack on weight and get more sand in his pants.

Accolades:

2021: All-ACC first team
2021: Three sacks allowed on 597 pass blocking snaps

Tom is a Louisiana native whose parents are both employed at LSU. His father is a mathematics professor and his mother an IT professional. His brother, Cameron, was a four-year starter at Southern Miss and has played for the Saints and Dolphins. As a redshirt freshman, Zach played in 12 games with one start at center. He played the same position for all 13 games in 2019, earning honorable mention All-ACC notice from league coaches. Tom moved to left tackle for 2020, starting all nine games, and then received first-team All-ACC recognition for his play as a 14-game starter at that position in 2021. He also won the Jim Tatum Award as the conference's top senior student-athlete among ACC football players. -- by Chad Reuter


Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 4-5
Overview
Center prospect who spent the last two seasons at left tackle. Tom was extremely impressive in pass protection at tackle despite a lack of desired size or length, but he's likely headed back to center in the pros. He plays with technique and plus body control, but his aggression level is a little lacking in the run game and his mass is below average. Tom could be a priority for teams with leaky interior protection. He has Day 3 value as an above-average backup with eventual starting potential.
Strengths
Excellent intelligence.
Three-year starter with good durability.
Makes fluid block adjustments in space.
Easy slide from block to block on combinations.
Good base width and hip flexion into defender as base blocker.
Utilizes firm, independent hands in pass protection.
Throws punch with intent and quickness.
Fluid and fast in mirroring a counter.
Pass protection from tackle position was eye-opening.
Weaknesses
Slender through his waist and hips.
Catches contact at the point of attack.
Needs to become more violent into contact.
Below-average mass to base up against power.
Needs to prove he can anchor against an NFL nose tackle.
Susceptible to push-pull technique.
Needs to guard against oversetting.

An academic standout, Zach Tom was a 34-game starter at Wake Forest with notable experience at both left tackle and center. The Demon Deacons offense has been highly productive and Tom’s consistency has been a big reason why. A controlled operator that functions with consistent leverage, Tom is an assignment-driven player that executes with great timing and consistent technique. His body works in unison to stay square to blocks in both the run and pass game. For a league that craves versatility, Tom’s experience at both tackle and center is a major asset to his valuation. When it comes to concerns, Tom has modest length and functional strength. He is far from a road grader in the run game and more length and width are preferred for an offensive tackle. Those weaknesses may keep him out of a starting lineup in the NFL unless he embraces a full-time role at center, but his overall versatility and appeal to play all five positions with the technical consistency and control that he displays should make him a highly-valuable depth player at the next level.

Ideal Role: Versatile reserve

Scheme Fit: Zone blocking scheme

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Joe Marino

Games watched: Florida State (2021), Pittsburgh (2021), NC State (2021), North Carolina (2021)

Best Game Studied: Florida State (2021)

Worst Game Studied: NC State (2021)

Balance: Tom is a controlled and coordinated player that functions within himself. He does a great job of playing with low pads, leveraged hips, and consistent knee bend. He’s never antsy and demonstrates good patience.

Pass Sets: Tom is consistent with reaching his set points and framing blocks. He does well to slide his feet and redirect with a commitment to staying square. He gets the depth and width in his kick slide needed to get himself in good positions to succeed as a pass blocker.

Competitive Toughness: Tom is a technician that relies on positioning and timing. With that said, he isn’t an overly tenacious blocker that brings a mean streak to the table. He competes and does his job but the nasty components of an offensive lineman aren’t present.

Lateral Mobility: Tom has smooth lateral movement skills. He easily slides his feet and redirects. His hips easily hinge and pivot. He has terrific range.

Length: Tom has modest length but does his best to overcome it with well-timed and placed strikes while keeping himself square to his opponent. That said, he doesn’t offer a ton of reach for life on an island. He does offer positional versatility should his ordinary length be an issue at tackle.

Football IQ: Tom is a three-year starter and polished technician with a great deal of experience at center and left tackle. He functions with great control and timing. Penalties became a bit of an issue for him in 2021.

Hand Technique: Tom is a technician with his hands and is consistent with timing and placement. He has good strike variance and continues to work his hand fits throughout every rep. Ideally, he would have a bit more pop in his punch but his technique and consistency are excellent.

Anchor Ability: Tom does his best to maximize his functional strength by playing with consistently low pads but he doesn’t offer the most mass or width. He’s going to see his share of bull rushes at the next level and will need to work overtime to not lose the width of the pocket. I appreciate his ability to re-anchor and play with leverage, but the NFL game will present new challenges.

Power at POA: Tom is a technician that doesn’t bring above average power to the table. He is a positional blocker that takes advantage of timing, technique, and angles. He won’t be an attractive option for gap run schemes. Adding functional strength would be a notable benefit to his game.

Versatility: Tom logged nearly 3,000 snaps in college with more than 1,700 coming at left tackle and more than 1,200 at center. He hasn’t played guard and only a handful of reps at right tackle. His ability to play both center and tackle makes him an even more attractive option. He is likely a zone run scheme prospect only.

Prospect Comparison: Ryan Bates (2019 NFL Draft, Philadelphia Eagles)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 72.67/100 (Fourth Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 74.00/100

Marino Grade: 72.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 72.00/100

[BF004]

Love love love this pick.


I would not be shocked if Tom and Rhyan are starting week 1 over Newman and Nijman and Jenkins on PUP.

Not expecting it, but wouldn’t be surprised. Love hitting the OL like we did, think it was very needed .

[APB]

[Pckfn23]

Either Zach Tom is really good or we dodged a bullet not taking Jermaine Johnson.

[BF004]

OMG! Doubs and Tom are an amazing haul in Round 4.

We are $$$ with Round 4 OL and Tom has the athleticism to develop into a Bakh replacement. I like that he has C experience/versatility but I would keep him at LT until and unless he proves unable to play there.

I'd say Elgton will undoubtedly be Bakhtiari replacement. Just so plug and play ready.

Could even build it into Jenkins' contract some if you want, if he plays various tiers of % of snaps at LT, he gets some extra $$.

[go pak go]

Either Zach Tom is really good or we dodged a bullet not taking Jermaine Johnson.

Yeah I never liked Jermaine Johnson.

[go pak go]

OMG! Doubs and Tom are an amazing haul in Round 4.

We are $$$ with Round 4 OL and Tom has the athleticism to develop into a Bakh replacement. I like that he has C experience/versatility but I would keep him at LT until and unless he proves unable to play there.

I'd say Elgton will undoubtedly be Bakhtiari replacement. Just so plug and play ready.

Could even build it into Jenkins' contract some if you want, if he plays various tiers of % of snaps at LT, he gets some extra $$.

I can't tell you how frustrating that would be if I were him. The coaches literally hold financial power over him by deciding simply where to play him.

If I am Elgton, I am like...dude. I am a top 10 left tackle when I play there. Pay me like one.

That's why his contract will be so hard.

[BF004]

OMG! Doubs and Tom are an amazing haul in Round 4.

We are $$$ with Round 4 OL and Tom has the athleticism to develop into a Bakh replacement. I like that he has C experience/versatility but I would keep him at LT until and unless he proves unable to play there.

I'd say Elgton will undoubtedly be Bakhtiari replacement. Just so plug and play ready.

Could even build it into Jenkins' contract some if you want, if he plays various tiers of % of snaps at LT, he gets some extra $$.

I can't tell you how frustrating that would be if I were him. The coaches literally hold financial power over him by deciding simply where to play him.

If I am Elgton, I am like...dude. I am a top 10 left tackle when I play there. Pay me like one.

That's why his contract will be so hard.

Well first I don't think something like 1.5-3.0 million difference and Aaron at QB, we aren't gunna dick around with who we are lining up at LT to save a few pennies. Pretty much just occur if Bak can't go.

If Bakhtiari comes back really strong this year and Jenkins just flat out wants top LT money, might have no choice but to get a Larry Tunsil haul for him next offseason.

Be about my least favorite option, but again pending Bakhtiari, this last two drafts at least make that a possibility having a fair amount of young talent right now.

Franchise tag about 17.8 million estimate next year for OL.

[Yoop]

OMG! Doubs and Tom are an amazing haul in Round 4.

We are $$$ with Round 4 OL and Tom has the athleticism to develop into a Bakh replacement. I like that he has C experience/versatility but I would keep him at LT until and unless he proves unable to play there.

I'd say Elgton will undoubtedly be Bakhtiari replacement. Just so plug and play ready.

Could even build it into Jenkins' contract some if you want, if he plays various tiers of % of snaps at LT, he gets some extra $$.

I can't tell you how frustrating that would be if I were him. The coaches literally hold financial power over him by deciding simply where to play him.

If I am Elgton, I am like...dude. I am a top 10 left tackle when I play there. Pay me like one.

That's why his contract will be so hard.

If he comes back 100% and plays like he did his first two year we'll pay him LT money, or we'll lose him before Bahk retires, hopefully it's just not top LT money.

[BF004]

Just for reference, top LT contracts going for about $23 million.

RT's going for $19-19.5.

Guard about $16-16.5.

[paco]

Something is going to happen with Bak next season. Gone, new contract, something. Cuz that's a heck of a cap hit in 2023 and 24.

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[BF004]

Something is going to happen with Bak next season. Gone, new contract, something. Cuz that's a heck of a cap hit in 2023 and 24.
image.png

Yes, but also only $6 million in cap savings if we release or trade him. Guessing that doesn't make us a better team.

Might just add some void years or something to lower to cap hit, but pretty safe to say he''ll be back in 2023, somewhat contractually committed to him.