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A Look At 2018 Draft Prospect Austin Corbett As A Potential Selection By The Detroit Lions.
Why Is Austin Corbett Worth The Eary Round Selection?
Austin Corbett has the fundamentals to be a day one starter for the Detroit Lions at left guard. The Lions could kick 2017 left guard Graham Glasgow inside to center and fill out their offensive line with the selection of Corbett. His hand usage is as impressive as his pad level. Both he does consistently at a high level. Does a great job keeping his hips set underneath him, while keeping his elbows and hands inside often.
Corbett’s feet are always churning and displays strong footwork, rarely getting off-balance when defenders cross his face. While his functional strength certainly is a question, his fundamentals and physicality could help him bring some force too. Rarely gives up on a block until the whistle is blown. His ability to recognize what the defense is trying to do to him is impressive. I did not see Corbett fail to recognize an incoming blitz or stunt in the three games I watched.
As good a job as he has done as a pass protector, he has shown a strong ability to down block and drive block well. These abilities could help him flourish moving to the inside in a more zone blocking scheme like what the Lions have ran under offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter.
Why Corbett Is Not Worth The Pick In First Round
While the need on the Lions interior line is big, Corbett is not worth reaching for in the 1st round. There would likely be other lineman available with more athletic upside like Isaiah Wynn or Will Hernandez. He does not the athleticism that you like in a round you need to get an impact player from. The biggest question mark he has athletically is functional strength.
The problem here is that if it does not get corrected, bull rushers could eat him up on the inside. Which would require him to have a helper on most plays. Fortunately, his frame looks like it could support more bulk, which he will be a high priority for whichever team does draft him.
Ultimately, if the Lions were to select Corbett, they would get a leader and reliable player on the interior of their line who would likely start week one of the 2018 season. They would get a smart, technically sound, and hard working player that would endear himself to a city that celebrates work ethic like his.
Chat with Zac on Twitter @Warbs24 and on the Detroit Lions Subreddit!
