NFL Draft Profile: Warren McClendon, Offensive Lineman, Georgia Bulldogs
Warren McClendon
Georgia Bulldogs
#70
Pos: OT
Ht: 6040
Wt: 306
Hand: 1000
Arm: 3448
Wing: 8058
40: 5.40
DOB: 4/11/2001
Hometown: Brunswick, GA
High School: Brunswick
Eligibility: 2023
One-Liners
A player with a lot of experience, McClendon lacks the traits to be more than a potential swing tackle at the next level.
Evaluation:
The first thing that stands out on McClendon's film is his understanding of the game. He gets the most out of his lackluster traits by winning with solid technique and always being in the right spot. McClendon has good foot quickness and explosion out of his stance in pass protection and he takes great angles to get out in front of rushers and mirror them. McClendon possesses above average length and his hand timing always him to disrupt edge defenders' rushes. In the run game, McClendon uses his length and explosion to be effective on reach blocks. McClendon is a good mover and can take defenders out of the play downfield. McClendon's understanding of positioning allows him to seal off defenders and position himself to always get in their way. McClendon's concerns start with his lack of flexibility. He is incredibly tight-hipped, which makes it easy for defenders to get under him at the second level. Far too often, linebackers were able to dip under his block and make a play on the ball carrier. In pass protection, his lack of flexibility is masked by tight end help and a very run-heavy offense. When his angle wasn't perfect, defenders were able to easily dip their shoulder under him. McClendon also lacks knee bend and can play too high. If McClendon is left on an island in pass protection at the next level, there will be some struggles. In the run game, McClendon lacks the power to move defenders. There also isn't much physicality to his game. McClendon is a position blocker and most of the time he just gets in the way of defenders. His hand placement can be inconsistent in both the run and pass games, where he'll have his hands too wide, allowing defenders to get inside his chest. McClendon rarely sustains blocks, as he doesn't have good grip strength. Overall, McClendon is a quality college player with a lot of experience. He showed the ability to play both left and right tackle but McClendon doesn't really have any standout traits. Being a three-year starter at Georgia will be valuable but there aren't enough positives on McClendon's film to warrant day two consideration. His lack of flexibility and play strength will be very detrimental to his upside too. Jamaree Salyer's success will help McClendon's draft stock but he is nothing more than a mid day three pick who could be a player that gets a team out of a pinch if needed.
Grade:
5th-6th Round
Background:
Warren McClendon comes from a family of Georgia Bulldog alumni. His uncle was an All-SEC tailback, and his cousin is a coordinator for the Bulldog coaching staff. McClendon, from Brunswick, Georgia, was a four-star prospect who ranked as a top 25 Offensive Tackle in the nation in high school. McClendon joined the Bulldogs in the spring of his freshman year and played in four games. In 2020, McClendon started at Right Tackle in 9 of 10 games and was on the field for 86% of offensive snaps. He was named to the Football Writers Association of America's Freshman All-America Team for his consistency. In 2021, McClendon started in all 15 games at Right tackle and again was present for 86% of offensive plays. In 2022, he held down the Right Tackle position in all 14 games for the Bulldogs. McClendon earned Coaches’ All-SEC First Team after his junior season. After celebrating Georgia’s second straight national championship, McClendon and 3 others were in an unfortunate car accident that killed two students in the vehicle. McClendon only sustained minor injuries.
