STRENGTHS
McClendon is a smart, athletic, big, long-armed offensive lineman with the developmental potential to play more than one position for the team that selects him. He has the potential to become a dominating offensive lineman because of his natural size and strength. McClendon has the athleticism and foot quickness to be used on sweeps and screens and is smart enough to pick up stunts. He can go out to the second level and has enough foot speed and body control to be used as a pulling guard. McClendon has just enough of a mean steak and steps up when he is challenged, and that will help him to improve quickly. Right now, most teams have slated him in at a guard position but because of his size and length, and athleticism he might be a future offensive tackle, and if teams think that, it will affect his draft status in a positive way.
CONCERNS
McClendon just needs to get into an NFL conditioning and training program. Once he starts to work with a position coach that can discover all of his potential hidden athletic talents, we could see him moved from the guard position to a tackle position in the future.
BOTTOM LINE: 3.22
I believe after a year at the NFL level that there will be a dramatic improvement in all aspects of McClendon’s overall game. He will get stronger, bigger, and quicker and the drills will open up his flexibility to move lateral and that will help his ability to pass block. Add to all of that, learning smarter techniques, and an introduction to consistency in using those techniques, and I’m sure he will become a starting offensive lineman for the team that selects him. McClendon has the work ethic and the intelligence to get better quicker than most others in this draft. I know it seems like a lot of issues that McClendon needs to improve at but the truth is it’s not really any more than most offensive linemen who come out in the draft. The key will be how quickly can he improve. From what I saw at the Senior Bowl workouts, it should be quick, quicker than most think. Look at Rob’s board for the round McClendon will most likely be selected.
