2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Daniel Faalele





  • Daniel Faalele, 6-8/345

  • Offensive Tackle

  • Minnesota


  • Daniel Faalele Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Mean streak
  • Powerful run blocker
  • Bullies defenders out of their gap
  • Turns and manipulates defenders
  • Blocks through the whistle
  • Finishes blocks with violence
  • Huge wingspan
  • Long arms – 35.1 inches
  • Seriously drive blocks some in the ground game
  • Strong hands to sustain blocks
  • Can anchor
  • Takes away second efforts
  • Good fit in a power-blocking system




  • Weaknesses:
  • Struggles with speed rushers
  • Bad feet
  • Struggles to get depth in his drop
  • Waist bends too much
  • Very tall, which leads to him playing too high
  • Gets into trouble when he plays too high
  • Feet stick in the ground
  • Struggles to mirror speed rushers
  • Slow to the second level
  • Not a good fit in a zone-blocking system


  • Summary: The Australian product Faalele got a late start in football, but over three seasons with the Gophers, he was an impactful blocker at the point of attack. He was impressive in 2018 and 2019, showing improvement as he gained experience. Faalele decided to sit out the abbrevieated 2020 season, but he returned to the field for a quality final season with Minnesota in 2021. After that, he put together decent performances at the Senior Bowl and the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.

    Faalele has a mean streak on the ground and blocks through the whistle. He can be a nasty run blocker who bullies defenders at the point of attack. There are times when is a beast in the ground game who can push defenders around at the point of attack. Faalele has the length and functional strength to control defensive linemen. He does a nice job of placing his hands to get into the chest of his opponent, and then they are in trouble because he will ride them out of their gap. With his mean streak and power, Faalele will finish off defenders violence. Faalae is a power run blocker, but his stature means he is not quick to the second level. Thus, he would not be a great fit for a zone-blocking scheme.



    Faalele is a giant with height and length, which makes it tougher to run around him in pass protection. He also has strong hands to sustain blocks and prevent second efforts. That same height, however, can leave Faalele playing too high, which can get him into trouble. He also needs to watch how he bends and avoid letting his feet get stuck in the ground. Faalele’s feet make him only a fit for right tackle, as there lack of movement keeps him getting some necessary depth in his drop. Faalele is not quick at reacting to speed rushes, struggles to mirror speed rushers, and his lack of depth in the drop keeps him from being able to widen rushers around the pocket. Faalele has some athletic issues and adding that in with playing too high leads to speed rushers giving him problems. As a result of his inconsistencies, Faalele would fit as a right tackle only in the NFL.

    In the 2022 NFL Draft, Faalele will most likely end up as a second- or third-round pick.



    Player Comparison: Jeremy Trueblood. Faalele reminds me of the former Buccaneers right tackle Trueblood. Trueblood was a second-round pick and a 6-foot-8 right tackle. Trueblood was a bull and physical run blocker who presented a challenge to block speed rushers, which Faalele is as well. Trueblood had a solid, if unspectacular, career for Tampa Bay, and Faalele could end up being a similar pro.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2022 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2022 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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