Zach Tom | Center | Wake Forest | 6'4" - 304 lbs.

Overview
Center prospect who spent the last two seasons at left tackle. Tom was extremely impressive in pass protection at tackle despite a lack of desired size or length, but he's likely headed back to center in the pros. He plays with technique and plus body control, but his aggression level is a little lacking in the run game and his mass is below average. Tom could be a priority for teams with leaky interior protection. He has Day 3 value as an above-average backup with eventual starting potential.

Strengths

• Excellent intelligence.
• Three-year starter with good durability.
• Makes fluid block adjustments in space.
• Easy slide from block to block on combinations.
• Good base width and hip flexion into defender as base blocker.
• Utilizes firm, independent hands in pass protection.
• Throws punch with intent and quickness.
• Fluid and fast in mirroring a counter.
• Pass protection from tackle position was eye-opening.

Weaknesses

• Slender through his waist and hips.
• Catches contact at the point of attack.
• Needs to become more violent into contact.
• Below-average mass to base up against power.
• Needs to prove he can anchor against an NFL nose tackle.
• Susceptible to push-pull technique.
• Needs to guard against oversetting.

Zero2Cool;450510

Zach Tom | Center | Wake Forest | 6'4" - 304 lbs.

Overview
Center prospect who spent the last two seasons at left tackle. Tom was extremely impressive in pass protection at tackle despite a lack of desired size or length, but he's likely headed back to center in the pros. He plays with technique and plus body control, but his aggression level is a little lacking in the run game and his mass is below average. Tom could be a priority for teams with leaky interior protection. He has Day 3 value as an above-average backup with eventual starting potential.

Strengths

• Excellent intelligence.
• Three-year starter with good durability.
• Makes fluid block adjustments in space.
• Easy slide from block to block on combinations.
• Good base width and hip flexion into defender as base blocker.
• Utilizes firm, independent hands in pass protection.
• Throws punch with intent and quickness.
• Fluid and fast in mirroring a counter.
• Pass protection from tackle position was eye-opening.

Weaknesses

• Slender through his waist and hips.
• Catches contact at the point of attack.
• Needs to become more violent into contact.
• Below-average mass to base up against power.
• Needs to prove he can anchor against an NFL nose tackle.
• Susceptible to push-pull technique.
• Needs to guard against oversetting.

Who said he "likely headed back to center in the pros"?

He is a tackle that can play center in my eyes. I'd get a look see at guard too. Unless Butkus, LaFleur, or Steno say he strictly a center, then you just sit down with listing him as a center.😏
But, he can be Myers backup. I'm ok with that.

I like having a guy who can play all along the line. Backing up Myers is fine. Backing up other linemen too? Fantastic. Injuries happen. Getting someone to fill in is more than welcome.

wpr;450515I like having a guy who can play all along the line. Backing up Myers is fine. Backing up other linemen too? Fantastic. Injuries happen. Getting someone to fill in is more than welcome.

Zach said Green Bay told him that his versatility was a big part of why they drafted him. They told him: "Be ready to come in and play anything."

Nice add to the strong depth on the line. He isn't as big as Elgton, but has a lot of his traits. One is being extremely versatile and able to play every position on the OL.

PackerNation;450519Zach said Green Bay told him that his versatility was a big part of why they drafted him. They told him: "Be ready to come in and play anything."

Nice add to the strong depth on the line. He isn't as big as Elgton, but has a lot of his traits. One is being extremely versatile and able to play every position on the OL.

Having several guys who can play "everywhere" means they can go with less linemen and more elsewhere if they need to. It's a plus.

Center prospect who spent the last two seasons at left tackle.

As one who doesn't follow college football, assessments like this always intrigue me. If he's been playing tackle for two years, what is it about him that makes scouts think he'll transition well to center, which it seems to me represents an entirely different skill set? He hasn't hiked a ball or made the calls along the line in literally years. Seems to me like making the transition from tackle to center would require a tremendous amount of mental reconditioning.

Nonstopdrivel;450534As one who doesn't follow college football, assessments like this always intrigue me. If he's been playing tackle for two years, what is it about him that makes scouts think he'll transition well to center, which it seems to me represents an entirely different skill set? He hasn't hiked a ball or made the calls along the line in literally years. Seems to me like making the transition from tackle to center would require a tremendous amount of mental reconditioning.

I believe he started at Center for two years before starts at LT for two years...

And scouts consider him too small for OT in the NFL, as he's the same exact size as David Bakhtiari, whom scouts also considered too small to for OT I'm the NFL. (They're only 6'4", whop-de-do).

But honestly I think Bakhtiari (pre-draft, before you knew he'd develop and before he proved anything in the NFL) is a great comparison for Tom. They're both absolutely amazing pass blocking, with great finesse annoying style... which on one hand, they might develop and become the best pass blockers in the NFL, but they also might bust because they're not physically and strong enough to handle the pure power game of the NFL. So you don't know which way they're go, but as Bakhtiari shows, sometimes it's worth that gamble. Let's hope Tom develops like Bakhtiari and doesn't bust.


That being said, I'm putting Tom as the backup LT. My 1st and 2nd string currently would be

Assuming Jenkins on PUP

1st: Bakhtiari, Runyan, Myers, Newman, Nijman
2nd: Tom, Van Lanen, Hanson, Rhyan, Walker

And really only Bakhtiari, Runyan and Myers MIGHT have their position locked, everyone else would be getting reps at RG and/or RT as the right side sure isn't locked.

beast;450542But honestly I think Bakhtiari (pre-draft, before you knew he'd develop and before he proved anything in the NFL) is a great comparison for Tom. They're both absolutely amazing pass blocking, with great finesse annoying style... which on one hand, they might develop and become the best pass blockers in the NFL, but they also might bust because they're not physically and strong enough to handle the pure power game of the NFL. So you don't know which way they're go, but as Bakhtiari shows, sometimes it's worth that gamble. Let's hope Tom develops like Bakhtiari and doesn't bust.

To further the comparison, Bakhtiari took snaps at C during the draft run-up as he was projected as a possible G or C in the NFL. Hopefully he doesn't follow the path of Bakhtiari and start this year after someone has a torn ACL.

Is it possible for a 4th round pick to be a "bust"? So few make it in the NFL at all and even fewer become starters.

4/140. Zach Tom, C, Wake Forest (4, 6): As a fourth-round draft choice, barring injury Tom will make the team. His five-position versatility should keep him in the league for a good spell, but whether he’s good enough to start is the question.

After starting at center in 2019, Tom (6-4, 307, 4.95) made a seamless transition to left tackle the past two years. Some scouts rave about his athletic ability, with one insisting he was the most athletic of all the offensive linemen.

He was compared by one evaluator to Kelvin Beachum (6-3, 303, 5.39), the Steelers’ seventh-round draft choice from Southern Methodist in 2012. Beachum started at left tackle for four years at SMU and, in a career now entering its 11th year, has made 130 starts primarily at left tackle for four different teams.

Besides his athleticism, those that like Tom cite his advanced hand placement and footwork, his understated manner of leadership and his overall flexibility. A few evaluators opined that he could play tackle. Others think he’s a center only.

Tom’s detractors don’t like his strength and think he’s going to get knocked around. They say there’s no way he’s powerful enough to play tackle or guard, and maybe not center. One said Garrett Bradbury, the Vikings’ undersized, disappointing first-round center, was a much better player in the Atlantic Coast Conference (North Carolina State) than was Tom.

How does Tom stack up with Josh Myers (6-5, 310), the Packers’ second-year center? Tom tested better but Myers is the stronger, more tenacious player, according to one scout.