STRENGTHS
Aaron is a big powerful guard who looks to me on film, to have just enough athletic talent to play the tackle position in a pinch. He is an excellent run blocker with the foot agility and quickness out of his stance to go out to the second level and make his assigned blocks. Aaron is a solid pass blocker who once he gets his hands on his opponent it is rare that he gives up a sack. Aaron is very smart and handles stunts with his linemates very well because he doesn’t panic and overreach. He has the foot speed to be used on sweeps and screens and in pulling situations and when he gets his big body on the move with quickness, I pity the poor player he is about to block. Simply put, Aaron is a plug-in, ten year, starting offensive lineman. Any team who needs an interior lineman, who in a pinch could play tackle, should be targeting Aaron as an early pick in this draft…at least I know I would.
CONCERNS
Aaron gives up too much field position when pass blocking and allows his opponent to get into his body and handle him at times when pass blocking. These are techniques issues that can easily be corrected and I’m sure, will be corrected. I think he might need to lose a little weight to gain more stamina to handle a 16-game schedule and be a little quicker and that also will help his pass blocking.
BOTTOM LINE 2.08
Don’t get me wrong, Aaron is a good pass blocker it’s just he can be better. If he improves (And I have no doubt he will) you’re looking at a potential pro bowl offensive lineman. The Senior Bowl will be a deciding factor in where teams value Aaron on their boards. If he can show that he can play offensive tackle or center…or both, in a pinch, then his value will go up very quickly on every teams’ boards. Aaron has the potential to be a pro bowl Guard for the team that selects him and that alone makes him a very valuable player to have on any team’s offensive line.
