Jeff Otah, 2008 NFL Draft Prospect
 | Offensive Tackle USC Senior Ht: 6’5” Wt: 340 lbs. Strengths: Size, Power, Lateral Movement Weaknesses: Technique, Body NFL Comparison: Flozell Adams, Dallas |
Teams in search of a physical mauler capable of walling off a QB’s blind spot have a few choices this year. Jake Long, Ryan Clady, Sam Baker and Jeff Otah will likely be first round NFL Draft picks and Gosder Cherilus and Chris Williams are on the first round bubble. Past years have featured some franchise left tackles at the top of the draft, but few years have provided depth at tackle like this class is shaping up to be.
Jeff Otah may be the biggest of the bunch, but he moves like someone 30 lbs lighter and has the strength and raw power to back up his mean streak. He is a true mauler in the trench. His 1st Team All-Big East selection was well deserved as he paved the way for Pitt’s first 1,000-yard rushing season in 7 years (LeSean McCoy rushed for a Big East rookie record 1,328 yards). Otah is such a great athlete that he immediately started at LT for Pitt as soon as he arrived from JUCO. He has since started every game since then, 24 straight starts. Otah is a leader who will make a fine team captain one day. He is incredibly powerful and would be a good fit for a power running team. Opposing ends find him deceptively athletic, someone who is always able to at least get a piece of the man across from him.
Otah can be a building block for a team in need, but he has some of the same faults as Flozell Adams. While Adams is a very good left tackle, it took the veteran a while to get it together. Adams battled weight problems, bouts of laziness and injuries early in his career. Otah could take that same path if he doesn’t control his weight and get in better shape. He could stand to lose 10 pounds and harness his attitude. He is naturally powerful, so the weight would not affect that but he would be better able to handle the speed rushers he sometimes struggled with in college. Despite his rep as a team leader, his focus wavers and his work ethic and desire have been questioned.
Quite a few teams are in the market for left tackles and Otah is just behind Ryan Clady on many lists. Working hard this spring will help him raise his stock, if he gets in shape he could post some crazy numbers for a guy his size. Teams that prefer oversized lineman will love his potential. On the majority of snaps, Otah looks like a franchise tackle, it’s those other snaps, when he looks like a 2nd day pick, learning to harness his weight and playing with better leverage that will decide his impact on the next level.
Scouting report by Daryl Breault