Top 10 interior offensive linemen in the 2019 NFL Draft

#7 Connor McGovern, Penn State (OG)

McGovern started nine of 13 games as a freshman at right guard as a true freshman before moving to center for his entire second year

This former high school All-American and Pennsylvania Mr. Football award finalist was one of the top center/guard prospects in the country, McGovern started nine of 13 games as a freshman at right guard as a true freshman before moving to center for his entire second year.

He started all but one game back at that right guard spot in 2018 and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in a loaded group of offensive linemen

McGovern shoots out of his stance in the run game and washes D-tackle down to create room on the inside by rolling his hips and driving his legs. Once contact is initiated, his hands get attached to the pads of defenders. McGovern attacks defensive linemen at an angle to set up his teammates before climbing to the linebacker level, which he just devours on several occasions as a pancake specialist. At Penn State he was used to pulling around and kicking out defensive ends to open up freeways for his backs to run through. With the power and leg drive he displays, he probably fits gap- and zone-schemes, where he shows the ability to catch and carry that double-team defender he and his teammate are engaged with.

The 6’5”, 310-pound guard is very patient in his pass sets and consistently is first to land his hands.

He showcases a sturdy base to absorb bull-rushers and is almost impossible to get away from once he lands inside the frame of the defender. McGovern good enough lateral agility to mirror spin moves the other way and stays active with re-positioning hands.

If his man does get to one shoulder, McGovern simply drives him into the middle of the pocket and neutralizes the push that way. He has recorded some kills getting hits on a defender from the side when he has nobody to engage with directly.

McGovern might have saved his worst performance for the last game versus Kentucky, routinely being late to pick up stunts and twists.

He is not the most naturally fluid athlete. McGovern leans over his toes a little too much to start reps and when defenders swipe away his hands on that initial punch, he struggles to recover and get in front of those guys because he doesn’t have that post-leg ready.

There are too many opportunities for inside counters with how far he sets to the outside, which will be taken advantage of at the next level.

Looking at the big guy on tape and at the combine, McGovern has NFL-ready body with the strength and athleticism to be a long-time starter. He will definitely need some agility work and clean some technical flaws in protection, but he has a lot of potential to improve.

The experience at center and guard gives him some versatility and he will be one of those candidates to really shine from year two on, once he is a little fundamentally sound and has experience against NFL competition.