Isaiah Adams, IOL, Illinois
Size:
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 315 pounds
Arm Length: 33 7/8’’
Hand Size: 9”
Accomplishments:
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2023, 2022) • Team captain
“Isaiah Adams is an experienced offensive lineman with a finisher mentality who’s best suited as a guard at the NFL level.”
Strengths:
Positional versatility
Effort/motor
Finishing mentality
Concerns:
Coming out of base in pass pro
Lateral range
Reaction to counter moves at OT
Film Analysis:
Isaiah Adams is an experienced offensive lineman who has started in 25 career games during his career at Illinois. Even more impressively, Adams has played both guard positions and both tackle positions during his career, serving as a plug-and-play guy along this offensive line. Although Adams has played multiple positions, it appears that his athletic traits are better suited for high-level consistency at the guard position.
At the guard position in the run game, Adams has a quick initial first step to climb and make contact with defenders. Adams projects really well to zone run scheme in that he can win with his first step and then use his athleticism to win the leverage battle, sealing off defenders from making a play. Adams can also climb to the second level successfully and make contact with defenders. Adams plays with a finisher mentality in the run game and oftentimes appears to block through the whistle, finishing defenders into the ground being a physical enforcer.
In pass protection, Adams looks comfortable at the guard position with both the tackle and the center next to him. Adams' lateral range as a player fits better in a phone booth and he can effectively help pick up twists and stunts or simply help his teammates who have one-on-one blocks. Adams is strong enough to anchor against defenders and does a consistent job of good hand placement.
From what Adams provides as a player at the guard position, there is room for improvement for him at the tackle position. In pass pro, defenders can isolate him and attack his edges, which is where his lack of lateral range negatively impacts him. When defenders can isolate him in space, they can also have an inside-outside track and Adams struggles to recover.
Overall, Adams' draft grade and success in the NFL appear to be dependent on the position he plays in the NFL. He appears to be best suited as an IOL.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Developmental Traits
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: Penn State (2023), Toledo (2023), Maryland (2023)
