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2020 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Michigan OL Jon Runyan Jr.

From now until the 2020 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.

#75 Jon Runyan Jr./OL Michigan – 6’4/2 306

The Good

– Thickly built frame with decent length and looks the part of an NFL guard
– Excellent functional strength and impactful run blocker, generates a ton of movement on his first level/down blocks
– Does well to climb and stick to the second level in the run game, fits up on linebackers well, stays square and under control
– Has a nasty to his game, runs his feet to the whistle
– Shows power and ability to overwhelm/overpower linebackers/defensive backs
– Works to keep a sound base in pass protection, shows need bend and an IQ, able to vary up his sets and rushes, will flash a fake punch to keep pass rushers off base
– Has enough length and strength to ride pass rushers upfield
– Some versatility and flashed ability to play inside
– Good starting experience and excellent NFL bloodlines

The Bad

– Bit of a sloppy body and profiles more like a guard than a tackle
– Average athlete who struggles to change directions laterally, has trouble with inside counters when pass rushers threaten wide initially
– Gets outleveraged in pass protection too often, uprighted and exposes his chest, causing him to get run into the pocket by power rushers/bull rushes
– Will be late to recognize stunts and isn’t a strong enough athlete to react when he is
– Not a ton of experience playing spots other than left tackle

Bio

– 26 career starts (25 at LT, 1 RT), also played some guard throughout career
– First-team All Big Ten in 2018 and 2019
– Three-star recruit coming out of HS
– Father is former NFL linemen Jon Runyan Sr, who played for 14 years in the NFL

Tape Breakdown

Runyan is a name that will sound familiar to most football fans.