STRENGTHS
Charles is a smart offensive tackle with the size, arm length, and athleticism to be considered as a potential franchise left tackle for the team that selects him. He uses excellent pass protection techniques and has the lateral agility to protect the blind side of his QB against those speedy edge rushes. Charles is one of the best offensive tackles at the college level that I have seen in picking up stunts and not being fooled into committing penalties. He is patient and works well with his linemates and shows leadership skills through his play on the field. Charles does a good job when run blocking coming off the ball at good pad level, with the aggressiveness needed to finish his blocks. He is an excellent “complete” offensive tackle.
CONCERNS
Charles will have to get stronger in his upper and lower body without it affecting his athleticism. He also will have to be quicker off the snap. His workouts will be very important for teams to decide his draft level.
BOTTOM LINE: 1.48
There is not much film on Charles’s run blocking but what I have seen makes me realize that he is as good a run blocker as he is a pass blocker. Others will be less convinced because they would like to see repetition after repetition to nit-pick him apart. Trust me when I tell you this…the NFL teams do not pay Left Tackles to run block, they pay them to pass block and Charles has the potential to be one of the best. As far as run blocking, he is on par with any offensive tackle coming out so for me, it is not an issue. Charles is one of the few athletic tackles that I have seen coming out that is consistent about using the techniques first and athleticism after, to pass block. Most forget the techniques and try to be more athletic in defeating their opponent and because of that struggle big time up against the more athletic NFL players after they are selected. Charles just has to improve his overall strength and get quicker off the snap to succeed at the next level and I have no doubt he will do both. I’m thinking that Charles might be the first OT taken in this draft, at least for me I’m thinking that way. That being said, for the teams I’m sure it will depend on his workouts, so…let the nitpicking begin.
