2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: LaDarius Henderson (OL – Michigan)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Michigan offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson.

2024 NFL Draft Guide

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: LaDarius Henderson

LaDarius Henderson (OL – Michigan)

6’4″ – 315 lbs.

Background:

Three-star recruit who originally committed to Arizona State, LaDarius Henderson started 10 games at left tackle there during his freshman season in 2019, allowing five sacks on the year. Appeared in three games the following season in a reserve capacity and then started 13 games at left guard the following year (one sack) and another six games at left guard in 2022 (one sack) before breaking his hand and transferring. Took over the starting left tackle job in Week 5 of this season at Michigan, allowing two sacks in 10 starts.

Positives:

Has extensive starting experience at both left tackle (20 games) and left guard (19). Thickly-built lineman with solid natural power. Has impressive pop in his hands to jolt defenders on contact. Able to bulldoze the outside shoulder and collapse the defensive line. Shows good leg drive and a solid work rate to finish his blocks through the whistle. Knows how to position himself and use his size to wall off opponents. Has a sufficiently wide base and some knee-bend in his pass sets. Sheer bulk allows him to compete against speed rushers. Pretty active about firing out his punch with good placement inside. Has the lower-body strength to anchor against power.

Negatives:

His frame is better suited to guard and has struggled a bit at tackle; allowed over 30 combined hurries, hits and sacks this year. A bit of a lumbering athlete who doesn’t have the most flexibility in his lower body, leading to waist-bending. His overall range is limited; works hard to get out in space and engage opponents but is mostly a phone-booth blocker with minimal athleticism outside of a short area. Tends to fall off of blocks when trying to chip and climb. Lateral quickness is below average for a pro tackle; needs to sell out to protect the edge against wide-alignment speed rushers. Has a slow pivot back inside.

Summary:

Essentially a four-year starter with his playing time evenly split between tackle and guard. He will almost certainly be sliding back inside at the next level, where his frame is better suited and his athletic limitations will be masked more effectively. A phone-booth mauler with impressive power and good leg drive, he’d surely fit best in a gap/power-based scheme with a smashmouth offensive identity based around the inside run game. Probably more of a reserve type who could struggle to defend against quicker pro pass-rushers. Looks like more of a mid-to-late-round consideration.

Projection: Round 6