:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63661872/usa_today_12338297.0.jpg)
Between Beau Benzschawel and guard-mate Michael Deiter, the Wisconsin Badgers are losing 103 career starts. For Benzschawel, he began his playing career at right tackle as a redshirt freshman, taking the place of the injured Jacob Maxwell. However, Benzschawel eventually moved inside to right guard and didn’t leave that spot for over three seasons.
Benzschawel achieved is a multi-time All-Big Ten performer, and while he is widely regarded as one of the best guards in this draft class, his best football could very well be ahead of him. As the Grafton, Wis., native continues to improve as a pass blocker, his physicality and aggression in the run game will allow him to get on the field early.
Height: 6’6
Weight: 309 pounds
40-yard dash: 5.24 seconds
Vertical jump: 26.5”*
Broad jump: 8’2.5”
Short shuttle: 4.51 seconds*
Three-cone drill: 7.59 seconds*
Bench press: 20 reps
*Height, weight, 40-yard dash and bench from NFL.com’s Draft profile of Benzschawel as he competed at the NFL Combine earlier this year; Vertical jump, broad jump, short shuttle and three-cone drill performed at Wisconsin’s pro day in March.
Strengths: Big, impressive build. Long limbed. Nasty demeanor in the run game. Imposes his will on defenders early and often. Has heavy hands, displaces defenders from the line of scrimmage. Easy mover on outside run concepts. Decent athlete. Able to break down and block smaller defenders in space.
Weaknesses: Needs to improve as a pass protector. Struggles with speed rushers as an outside shade. Technique in pass protection is a bit erratic, struggles to anchor at times due to his pad level. Aggressiveness costs him at times, can whiff at the first level. Can also get over-anxious at the second level.
Summary: Benzschawel is another guy who will be a rock-solid mid-round pick and a contributor in either year one or two of his professional career. His ceiling isn’t overly high, but his floor is higher than most prospects in this class. He will be another addition to the long list of Wisconsin alumni to be respected offensive linemen in the NFL.
Round projection: Round 3-Round 4