The Lions might not require an instant starter on the offensive line based on free agency, but enhancing the depth behind the starters is among Detroit\u2019s top priorities. A rookie who can effectively cover either guard or tackle positions and eventually earn a starting role is an attractive prospect.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Wyatt Milum certainly meets that criteria. The Mountaineers star excelled at tackle in college but swiftly demonstrated his ability to shift inside, if required, during Senior Bowl week.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Wyatt Milum, offensive lineman, West Virginia\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 6-foot-7, 315 pounds (recorded at Senior Bowl)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Starter for four years at tackle, starting in 2021 at right tackle and spending the next three years on the left side.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Acknowledged for allowing no sacks in his last three seasons<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3-time all-conference academic selection<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4-star recruit recognized as the leading right tackle prospect in his high school graduating class (2020)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Celebrated 23 years in December.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Games observed: Iowa State, Penn State (23 and 24), Kansas, Oklahoma State, Senior Bowl week (attended)<\/p>\n Positives<\/p>\n Explosive quickness into jump sets<\/p>\n Consistently outstanding hand placement throughout a rep<\/p>\n Good punch power and grip strength<\/p>\n Light on his feet to get to second-level targets<\/p>\n Strong base anchor strength, can stand up a bull rush<\/p>\n Good recovery athleticism and footwork<\/p>\n Can create movement and drive in the run game<\/p>\n Really adept at keeping square and dictating the action to the pass rusher<\/p>\n Negatives<\/p>\n Short arms (under 33 inches) and an overly long torso that exposes his chest as a target<\/p>\n Rushers who set up wide and cross his face can create narrow footwork<\/p>\n Has a habit of dropping his head upon contact after the initial scrum<\/p>\n Speedy second-level rushers can get under his reach<\/p>\n Inexperienced playing guard, which might be his better NFL positi<\/p>\n In general<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Milum is a dependable, top-tier offensive line prospect who is used to competing in a run-focused offense with a variety of blocking strategies. The fact that he did not permit a sack in his last three years as a left tackle says a lot about Milum\u2019s athletic ability, strength, and technical skill.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Due to his unusual physique (shorter arms and legs relative to his height), some teams might consider shifting him to guard or even center. Milum possesses the foundational strength, quickness in tight spaces, and determination needed to succeed in that role, although it will probably require a period of adjustment. As a tackle prospect, he resembles Lions LT Taylor Decker during his first-round selection in 2016, although Milum is expected to perform better in athletic tests. He ranks as a top-25 overall prospect in my opinion and should be a significant option for the Lions’ first-round selection if they seek assistance for the offensive line.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Lions might not require an instant starter on the offensive line based on free agency, but enhancing the depth behind the starters is among Detroit\u2019s top priorities. A rookie who can effectively cover either guard or tackle positions and eventually earn a starting role is an attractive prospect. Wyatt Milum certainly meets that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"\n