The 2021 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Alex Leatherwood 2021 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Offensive Tackle
Size: 6-foot-6, 312 pounds
Class: Senior
2020 stats: First Team All-American
Leatherwood could have been picked early in the 2020 NFL Draft, but decided to return for one more season at Alabama. Now, he is hoping to be selected early in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Alabama was able to pry Leatherwood out of Florida where he was one of the best players in the state. He played in seven games as a freshman, as he got some experience at the collegiate level. For his sophomore season of 2018, Leatherwood played right guard for the Crimson Tide and was an All-SEC Second Team selection. He helped Alabama get to the National Championship Game, but the season ended with a loss to Clemson. For 2019, Leatherwood moved out to left tackle and was an All-SEC First Team selection. The Crimson Tide won 11 games including the Citrus Bowl against Michigan. After choosing to return to school, Leatherwood became a First-Team All-American. His play helped pave the way for Alabama to go undefeated and win the National Championship.
His play helped him get some nice recognition and team success at Alabama. Now Leatherwood is projected to be a second or third round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Alex Leatherwood LT #70
Leatherwood has great size and length for an NFL offensive lineman. At 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds, Leatherwood has the prerequisite size to play offensive tackle at the next level or any other position on the line. His length is also great for any position on the offensive line and may be what keeps him at tackle in the NFL.
His versatility will make him appealing to a variety of different teams. He played left tackle and right guard in his time at Alabama and excelled at both. His length may allow him to play tackle, but teams can also get good value out of him at guard, as he has good power.
He has good strength for an offensive lineman. Leatherwood is able to deal with power rushers with a good anchor. He also can move people in the running game when asked because of his strength and long arms. His grip strength is also terrific, as once he gets his hands on a defender, he can sustain his blocks.
His mobility could hold him back in the NFL. Leatherwood is great in a phone booth, but his agility is lacking. This comes into play as a pass blocker, as defenders can beat him on the edge. In run blocking, he has trouble getting to the second level and hitting his blocks. This may lead him to be moved to guard in the NFL.
He struggles with speed rushers who demonstrate good agility. Leatherwood sets his feet too wide apart, which means that he can be thrown off balance. When pass rushers can get to the edge quickly or make an inside move swiftly, Leatherwood can struggle.
Leatherwood isn’t the greatest athlete for a tackle. He is a little stiff and pass rushers can bend and get the edge on him. The stiffness means he can get too high of a pad level, as he isn’t a natural knee-bender. His lack of elite athleticism makes him lunge in an effort to keep up as well.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
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