Olusegun Oluwatimi 2023 NFL Draft Profile
Sometimes NFL general managers overthink draft picks. They buy into the narrative that the talking heads put out and talk themselves out of a player. Sometimes, a player could have no off-field issues, and have the awards and skills displayed in college, but not be very high on draft boards for whatever reason. This year, one of those players is Michigan’s Olusegun Oluwatimi. I think Oluwatimi is great and is underrated heading into the draft. Let’s talk about his draft profile.
Oluwatimi started his career at the Air Force Academy. He sat out the 2018 season, due to the old NCAA rules, after transferring to Virginia. He received an honorable mention All-ACC pick at center his first year. In 2021, he was a Rimington Trophy finalist (nation’s best center) and second-team All-ACC. He transferred to Michigan for his final year and showed out, winning the Rimington Trophy and the Outland Trophy (top offensive/defensive linemen).
I got to watch him firsthand at the Senior Bowl this year and came away wildly impressed. He is a monster in the run game. Tons of pluses. Trey noted about his combine performance that he has good feet with a very good base. Check his notes for more.
Taylor Lewan questioned at the combine how Oluwatimi is a day three pick when he won the Outland Trophy. Let’s look at some of the names who have won it since 2010.
- Aaron Donald
- Brandon Scherff
- Ed Oliver
- Quinnen Williams
- Penei Sewell
- Jordan Davis
Can you guess what all those guys have in common? All first-round picks. A handful were even top-10 picks. Yet Oluwatimi isn’t even top 100? Make it make sense.
Michigan was great rushing the ball last year. Oluwatimi played a massive part in that. He can shed that first blocker and move to the next level with quickness. His technique never seems to waiver no matter how long the drive or who he’s matched up with. Picks up double teams with little issue. He can be an asset in pass pro, as his hands have gotten better throughout college. Oluwatimi has strong hands and uses his powerful punch very well.
Obviously, the concern with Oluwatimi is his ability to protect the quarterback. His kick slide can be rough at times. This will cause him to lose matchups with defensive tackles who use speed moves. He sets himself up too high at times as well. I’d like to see him trust his agility rather than just reaching for blocks.
I can’t wrap my head around having Olusegun Oluwatimi as a day-three pick. I could easily turn the card in for him as a top-75 pick, maybe even a top-50 pick, and not lose sleep about it. A day-two grade as whoever does decide to draft Oluwatimi will realize he should’ve been higher on boards and will thank their lucky stars he fell to them. He will be a solid rotation guy early on as he cleans up his pass-pro skill set. When he does, it’s his job as long as he wants it.
