Arizona Cardinals 2019 NFL Draft: 10 small school heroes you need to know

Max Scharping – OT, Northern Illinois

Starting 53 out of 53 eligible games, Max Scharping is about as consistent as it gets as an offensive tackle. Combine his consistency with a 6-foot-6, 327-pound frame, and it’s fairly easy to see why he’s climbing up draft boards.

Although Scharping doesn’t have prototypical length (33-5/8-inch arms), he found massive amounts of success in the MAC conference. During his four-year tenure, Scharping allowed just five sacks, however, four of those came in his freshman season, per Pro Football Focus. He finished his senior season with a 98.7 pass-blocking efficiency grade (ninth amongst tackles) and run-block success rate of 94.1% (fifth).

Scharping is a bully bodyguard in pass protection. He matches a good frame with power and quickness with his feet, which should transition well to the NFL. He’s well-versed in matching defensive end hip movements, and on run plays, he’s best described as a mauler. His mean streak style of play, with his functional athleticism, should mean he does well as a pulling tackle.

However, despite his experience and success, Scharping is beatable. His kick-slide will get exposed by pass-rushers with quick first steps due to his incomplete mastery of technique. His lack of technique, spacing, and length will get him exposed versus developed pass-rushers. If he could develop his game, there is a real possibility that Scharping, an old-school power lineman, could because of a complete pass-protector in the NFL.

Round projection: 3rd-4th round, Scharping is a high-upside tackle with a clean injury report if he can develop the intricacies of the position he can fulfill that potential and then some.