Dallas Cowboys 2024 Draft: Offensive Tackle Nathan Thomas Scouting Report

We continue our 2024 NFL Draft scouting report as we review players from the Dallas Cowboys' rookie draft class. Today we'll be looking at Nathan Thomas, a 7th round pick from Louisiana Lafayette.

nathan thomas
O.T.
louisiana ragin cajuns
Senior
6’5”
332 pounds
Hand size – 10 3/4 inches (81%)
Arm length – 33 3/4 inches (39%)
Wingspan – 83 inches (85%)

history:
Nathan Thomas played tight end in high school and was a two-star recruit.He redshirted his first year at Louisiana in 2019, but he appeared in just three games in 2020 due to the pandemic-shortened season.

In 2021, Thomas finally got to be on the field as a left tackle, but not as a tight end. He played in nine games and totaled 218 snaps. He allowed six pressures and one sack on 103 pass sets. In 2022, Thomas played in all 13 games as the Ragin' Cajuns' starting left tackle. He allowed 25 pressures and one sack on 478 passing snaps.

In 2023, Thomas appeared in 12 games, but missed the team's bowl game due to a knee injury. Among his 410 pass sets, he allowed 12 pressures and five sacks. His run blocking improved significantly in his final year.

Statistics for 2023:
765 Defense Snap
410 Passing Snap
12 pressures are allowed
Up to 5 sacks possible
4 penalty

nfl combine/Pro Day:
10 Yard Split – 1.76 seconds (67%)
40 Yard Dash – 5.19 seconds (70%)
Vertical – 25 inches (15%)
Wide – 107 inches (70%)
Shuttle – 4.65 seconds (70%) (P)
3C- 8.01 seconds (26%) (P)

Awards:
Not applicable

scorecard:
Overall – 68.2
Speed ​​- 72
Acceleration-72
Agility – 60
Strength – 71
Pass blocking – 70
Run blocking – 74
Discipline – 92

Good things:

• His size and strength allow him to easily neutralize power rushers and bull rushers.very solid anchor
• Excellent hustle and aggressiveness on run plays.
• very good grip
• Excellent burst from the snap
• He reacts very well to stunts and can reposition the rusher with good body control.
• Still only 22 years old, there is plenty of room for growth.

bad person:

• His vertical style of play allows elusive pass rushers to break through him, forcing him to lean and play off balance.
• More running plays in Louisiana's offense means less pass blocking, especially as a lineman who doesn't play the position that often.
• Mirroring can be an issue due to slow lateral speeds
• Hand placement is often off target
• lack of experience

Fit:
Nathan Thomas' transition from high school tight end to NFL offensive tackle has been quite the story. There are many questions about what Thomas' limits are, as he hasn't played much at the position and went two years without playing at all in college.

Footwork is a key coaching point for Thomas in pass protection, and he also works on lateral speed to aid his ability to mirror and hold up against faster pass rushers. His technique as both a run blocker and a pass blocker has a lot of issues, mostly due to him playing too upright.

On the plus side, Thomas fits the mold as a developmental lineman and could be helped by a transition to guard. He anchors firmly, easily seizes power and has an aggressive attitude. He has strong hands and an improved run-blocking skillset. The arrow points to Thomas. How far he can climb in the team's depth will depend on how quickly he receives coaching as an inexperienced pass blocker, especially if he moves to guard, where he has never played.

Comparison:-
Riley Leaf, New England Patriots

School year:
6th round grade

Consensus ranking:
204th place
(Consensus ranking based on average ranking of 90 major scoring services)