The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.
Bolster the offensive line. That’s a bullet point on Brian Gutekunst’s “To Do List”, this offseason. If the Green Bay Packers were to play a game tomorrow the starting offensive line would be a formidable group. The depth behind Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom is lacking.
Tylan Grable is a player that Green Bay’s general manager could target on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, as he looks to depth to the Great Wall of Lambeau. The University of Central Florida offensive tackle checks in at No. 48 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
We first came across @UCF_Football LT Tylan Grable (6053v, 295v, 10 1/4 hand) at Week 0 game two years ago when he was playing for Jacksonville State. One of JSU’s coaches gave us heads-up about the athletic former HS QB turned OL, telling us that Grable would likely end up at… pic.twitter.com/q0nvgzOeue
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) October 21, 2023
Grable, a Georgia native played quarterback during his prep career. He started his collegiate career at Jacksonville State and played tight end and offensive line.
Grable transferred to UCF for the 2022 season and started 14 games at left tackle. This past season Grable started 13 games at left tackle.
“Grable’s biggest strength might be his durability,” Matt Murschel, a college writer for the Orlando Sentinel, said. “He started all 27 games during his two seasons at UCF and played more than 1,800 offensive snaps for the Knights. He was a rock at the left tackle spot, which was a plus for the program, which was forced to use four different players at center last season. He even began working out at the center, anticipating it could help him at the next level.”
Grable is an outstanding athlete and gets on top of defenders quickly. The former quarterback turned tight end, turned offensive tackle moves like a tight end. He has nimble feet and is comfortable out in space. He latches onto a defender and uses his upper body strength to control them.
I was a big fan of Tylan Grable (#71) as an #NFLDraft prospect coming into the season and you can see his light feet, good first step, and the flexibility to get up and under his opponent on this touchdown springing block…
— Oliver Hodgkinson (@ojhodgkinson) October 13, 2022
“According to Pro Football Focus, he was the highest-graded run blocker on the offensive line, which is attributed to UCF’s success in running football in the past two seasons,” Murschel said. “Most of the Knights’ rushing yards came from Grable’s side of the offensive line.”
Grable has good speed of the snap with the lateral quickness to win the corner. He has active hands to slow down defenders. According to PFF, Grable gave up zero sacks and 10 pressures this past season. Quite an improvement from the year prior when he gave up five sacks and 25 pressures.
“Grable is quick for his size, as demonstrated by his 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine,” Murschel said. “It’s helped him stay ahead of pass rushers. He also greatly understands the offense, which helps him know where everyone needs to be.”
Grable put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine. He clocked a 4.95 40-yard dash time, with a 1.69 10-yard split. Along with that blazing time at 306 pounds, Grable posted a 36.5-inch vertical jump.
UCF's Tylan Grable improves his time with a 4.96u on his 2nd run 👏
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/2NuhMRiaaJ— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2024
Fit with the Packers
Grable is fairly new to playing offensive tackle. Given his athleticism and the improvement he’s shown throughout his collegiate career, it’s safe to assume that upward trajectory will continue. The Packers have a rich history of developing Day 3 picks and one would have to assume that they’d like to get their hands on a player with Grable’s potential.
Excited to watch Tylan Grable (@tylanmalik) as he joins @UCF_Football this season as an impact LT transfer ⚔️
FCS All-American who was also a high school QB and all-region hoops player 🔽 below are clips from win over FLST including reps against 1st rd pass rush #ShrineBowl1000 https://t.co/1PjFlE6wjr pic.twitter.com/Ji9bXXMzHs
— Shane Coughlin (@Shane__Coughlin) August 12, 2022
“It’s important to find a durable offensive lineman with the versatility to move around if needed,” Murschel said. “His understanding of the offense shows his commitment to doing what it takes to be successful.”
Grable started 27 games at left tackle over the past two seasons and logged two snaps at right guard this past season. The Jacksonville State transfer has taken snaps at center during practice. Given Green Bay’s history of drafting college offensive tackles and kicking them inside, it’s possible that the Packers could envision Grable as a guard.
The Packers own six picks on Day 3 of the draft. With his athleticism, Grable would be well worth the gamble and could serve as the team’s swing tackle, while potentially providing depth along the interior.
