Caleb Benenoch NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Buccaneers Rookie

POSITIVES

A 4-star recruit from Katy, Texas, per 247Sports, Caleb Benenoch is the first person in his family to play football. The UCLA product started nine games as a true freshman at right tackle and would go on to start every game in the rest of his career playing both right tackle and guard.

An impressive athlete with the easy lateral movement skills of a guard, Benenoch is an ideal zone-blocking-scheme lineman. He gets down the line with good quickness and the vision to find his target and attack. He’ll pounce on a defender outside his frame and can reach outside linebackers without struggle.

Benenoch is good in combination-blocking situations from inside at guard. He knows how to gain leverage and help an outside blocker get free to move up the field.

Benenoch’s experience at both tackle and guard will add to his draft stock. His most natural position is right tackle, but a move inside long term is an option.

NEGATIVES

A lack of strength may be the biggest issue when projecting Benenoch forward—especially since he’s looked at playing two power positions (right tackle and guard). At only 305 pounds, NFL teams could ask him to redshirt for a season while he gains power and size.

Flexibility doesn’t come naturally to Benenoch. His hips and ankles look stiff on film and don’t flash as explosive areas of his body. Because he’s not rocketing his hips to power blocks, Benenoch ends up being a waist-bender and a lunger. This causes him (and every blocker) to lose power and leverage.

Production as a blocker isn’t something Benenoch can hang his hat on. In 2015 he surrendered 31 total pressures, per College Football Focus.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 305 lbs.

40 Time: 5.22s

Arm Length: 34"

3-Cone: 7.94s

Short Shuttle: 4.72s

PRO COMPARISON: Oday Aboushi, Houston Texans
FINAL GRADE: 6.00/9.00 (Round 3—Future Starter)