NFL Draft

Reviewing The Steelers Pick: Indiana G Collin Rahrig Scouting Report

By Alex Kozora

Posted on May 6, 2015 at 8:51 am

Continuing our post-draft evaluations, we’re diving into the undrafted free agent pool. We’ll do full breakdowns of the players that have enough tape available. Today’s breakdown is of Indiana center/guard Collin Rahrig.

#64 – Collin Rahrig/OG Indiana – 6’2/1 293

The Good

– Shows some success as a drive blocker who can hold POA when playing with correct technique
– Shows a snap out of his stance as a pulling guard, above average movement skills who can reach the edge
– Shows good technique against bull rushes, sinks his hips on his initial pass set, and shows the strength to “catch” bull rushers
– Plays hard and finishes blocks, mean streak who doesn’t quit until the whistle
– Guard/center versatility with extensive experience at each
– Team captain and leader
– Tons of starting experience

The Bad

– Lacks bulk and length, doesn’t look the part and will be undersized in most matchups
– Top-heavy blocker in both phases, bit over his toes as a run blocker and doubles over in pass protection versus interior lineman with quick hands
– Doesn’t gave tremendous upper body strength who only generates a moderate push
– Short arms allow defenders to get into his pads and can get blown back
– Can get into space but has difficulty sticking, prone to falling off his blocks
– No defining trait to his game
– Seemingly little upside whose game could be maxed out

The Other

– 36 career starts for the Hoosiers
– 19 at center, 12 at left guard, 5 at right guard
– Started six at center, six at left guard in 2014
– Allowed just two sacks senior year
– East/West Shrine game participant
– Dealt with shoulder injury in February of 2015
– Came to Indiana as a regular student, received a preferred walk-on invite, earned scholarship after first year starting
– Rugby star, four-year letterwinner in high school and named to USA Under 17 and Under 18 National teams

Tape Breakdown

Rahrig is even a hair shorter and lighter than Reese Dismukes, who wasn’t a big guy to begin with. Natural muscle and length are things he’ll never have. And though it sounds cliché, he’s a tough hombre, something you’d expect from a man with a rugby background.

He’s the kind of guy who seeks contact and looks to finish his blocks. Sets the tone first play of the game against Michigan.

I like him better as a guard than center. Asset pulling across the formation. Has a nice burst out of his stance. Rahrig is the left guard in the GIF below.

Shows strength and the ability to catch this blitzer. Has some upper body strength and doesn’t get run into the pocket.

As a run blocker, he held his own against Michael Bennett.

Pass protection is a different story and his top heaviness is easily exposed. Lacks the feet to mirror rushes and resorts to bending at the waist, vulnerable to being beat. Bennett gets him for a sack below. On the right side of the frame, you can see the Ohio State defensive tackle, number 63, beat Rahrig.

Lack of length makes it an issue trying to get a push while flowing down the line in zone blocks. The Iowa DT easily penetrates the backfield, shoving Rahrig back, shedding, and making the tackle.

And here he is getting tossed aside by the defensive tackle, who makes his way into the backfield for the stop. Left guard in the clip below.

He’s a scrappy kid who will probably get into a shoving match or two in Latrobe. There is a chance for him to stick on the roster, his versatility is a huge plus and something that a guy like Dismukes – a career center – doesn’t have, but we’re talking practice squad. Not a serious candidate to threaten Chris Hubbard for the 53.

Percent of Making 53 Man Roster: 15%

Games Watched: at Iowa, at Michigan, at Ohio St