Finding Broncos: Trevor Penning | OT

Measurements

Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 325 pounds
Arms: 34-1/4 inches
Hands: 10-1/8 inches

Combine Results

40-Yard Dash: 4.89 seconds
Vertical Jump: 28 inches
Broad Jump: 111 inches
3-Cone Drill: 7.25 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.62 seconds

Pros

Excellent length, athleticism, and power: all the traits you want.
Plays with good bend consistently and doesn't get off his center of gravity.
A weight room warrior that saw him bulk up and drastically improve his strength in college.
Athleticism, pad level, and bend are great for his size.
Movements are controlled, timed right, and he hits the landmarks when asked to climb to second level.
Brings plenty of movement skills and power to work in any scheme.
Snatch technique is excellent and challenging for defenders to get away from.
Smooth, controlled mover.
Extremely powerful punch that can knock defenders off their pass rush plan.
Sound technical foundation but he still has a lot to learn, which is scary for how high his ceiling is.
Has good quickness to get outside when working as a pulling blocker.
Comes with good balance and rolls power through his body into contact at second level.
Has plenty of power in his lower half to drive defenders off the ball.
Always looking for work and aims to finish blocks by putting defenders on the ground.

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Cons

Can struggle when making adjustments or changing direction quickly due to counters.
Bad habit of opening his chest to defenders, and he can struggle to regain control.
Attitude will be loved, but teams will have to work to keep that in check on the field.
Timing on combo blocks can be off.
Overall technique has to be cleaned up.
Grip power isn't great, and he can see his blocks get shed.
Can be overzealous with his grit and fire on the field.
Will need to recognize better and improve his reactions to stunts/twists at the NFL level.
Has a bad habit of latching on as a last resort, which will need to be cleaned up or ready to live with penalties.

Overview

Trevor Penning has been a rapid riser through the pre-draft process. His first step was at the Senior Bowl, where teams wanted to see him face better competition, and he was dominant there. Then he went on to have an outstanding Combine, showing off great athleticism and clean work in the position drills.

While Penning's technique isn't great, he has a good foundation, and when you combine that with the physical traits, his ceiling is a mile high. He has quickly cemented himself as a first-round pick as teams love what he has to offer that you can't coach.

Penning's issues are all coachable, but they are legit concerns, especially his grit and fire on the field. It has led to some penalties and issues with his play that teams will worry about. But, outside of that, teams will love his drive to finish blocks with the belief they can help him keep it under control.

Fit with Broncos

When it comes to scheme, Penning can fit any in the NFL. He has enough physical traits to work, and the technical aspect can be coached up.

Before the Denver Broncos traded for Russell Wilson, Penning could have been in discussion for the ninth overall pick, but now, there is no way he would be there when the team goes on the clock with the No. 64 overall pick. Penning won't likely fall far enough for Denver to realistically move up to get him.

Outside of that, he'd be a good fit for the Broncos and would test the coaches' new emphasis of being teachers. He has enough to be the starting right tackle and would give Denver the feistiest duo at tackle opposite Garett Bolles, but it could be problematic for potential penalties. Penning would still be a great fit for Denver, but again, it's highly unlikely he would fall enough to potentially land on the Broncos roster.

Grade: Early-to-Mid Round 1

Where he Goes: Early-to-Mid Round 1

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