From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents Today, I’ll be profiling Oklahoma State Dl Tyler Lacy
#89 Tyler Lacy, DL, Oklahoma State (R-Senior) – 6040, 279lb
Senior Bowl/Combine invite
Measurements
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand Size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Tyler Lacy | 6’4, 279lb | 10 7/8 | 33 1/4 | N/A |
| 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| 5.11 | 1.72 | N/A | 7.60 | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| 9’8” | 28.5” | 30 |
The Good
— Has the height, length, and size profile you look for in an NFL D-lineman
— Has notable play strength to hold his own at the LOS and control gaps
— Does well at executing the push/pull move to get off blocks
— Uses big hands and long arms to control blockers at point of attack
— Possesses a nice swim move to clear blockers as a run defender and pass rusher
— Will use the slip/swim combo as a pass rusher to get into the backfield
— Good athlete for his size, moves well in open space
— Has a good get off on the snap of the football
— Plays with a sense of urgency
— Flies to the football, showing great pursuit as a defensive lineman
— Will string out plays to the sideline and chase ball carriers down field
— Has played up and down the LOS, lining up outside the tackle to outside shade of the center
— Above-average athlete when it comes to playing on his feet
— Does a good job crashing down on slants to blow up plays inside
— Executes twists and stunts well
— Awareness to get his hands up in passing lanes
The Bad
— Isn’t the twitchiest athlete when it comes to quickness or acceleration
— Can do a better job of using his upper-body strength on a consistent basis
— Will get stuck on blocks as a pass rusher
— Plenty of his sacks and pressures came on extended plays rather than clean wins
— His pad level will rise when engaged with blockers as well as coming off the snap
— Needs to do a better job setting anchor against bigger OL looking to push him backward
— A little bit of a tweener who lacks an ideal position, having played all over the DL
— Will see his motor deplete quickly given the intensity he plays with
— Can add more tools to his repertoire as a pass rusher outside of bull rush/swim
Bio
— Redshirt Senior prospect from Sachse, TX
— Born Nov. 10, 1999 (age 23)
— Related to former New York Giants CB Aaron Ross
— Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports
— Named first-team all-district as a HS senior, second-team as a junior
— Redshirted in 2017
— Started 10 games in 2018 and missed three due to injury, logging 20 tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups
— Started 11 games in 2020 and was a game captain against TCU, recorded 32 total stops (19 solo), 8.5 TFLs, four sacks, and a forced fumble
— Started all 13 games in 2021 and made 34 tackles (21 solo), 11 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery, served as a game captain against Boise State
— Started nine games in 2022, missing four contests due to injury, recorded 27 total stops (12 solo), 8.5 TFLs, three sacks, a PBU, and a fumble recovery
— Honorable mention All-Big 12 (2020-22), A first-team Academic All-Big 12 (2021)
— Sports Management major
Tape Breakdown
Tyler Lacy made the trip over the state border after a successful high school career in Texas to suit up for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. After redshirting his first year, Lacy became a fixture on the Pokes’ DL for the next four seasons. He earned All-Big-12 honors as a solid pass rusher who picked up a career 11.5 sacks while showcasing his talent as a steady run defender.
When you watch Lacy on tape, you see a stout run defender who does a good job controlling his gap. His long arms and big, strong hands allow him to often make first contact on blockers. He uses his movement skills to string out plays toward the sideline and man gaps against the run. Watch Lacy in the clips below shed the blocker at the LOS to get in on the tackle attempt on the runner, manning his gap to hold the LOS.
As you can see above, Lacy is a fan of the swim move. He will shock blockers back with his initial punch, and then proceed to swim off the block into the backfield. Watch Lacy execute the swim move on the RG from Arizona State, getting the arm over his outside shoulder to clear the block and get into the backfield for the sack.
Lacy plays with phenomenal effort on defense and has a motor that is always running hot. He also is nimble for a DL, often lining up outside the tackle in a two-point stance while showing up on tape inside the guard. Watch these reps of Lacy fighting off blocks to make a play on the football, pursuing the ball carrier toward the sideline.
Lacy plays with good spatial awareness. He identifies passers as they begin their throwing motion and will get his hands up in attempt to deflect passes. In the clip below, he bats the ball down for the incomplete pass.
Lacy isn’t without his warts as a prospect. He tends to fall in the tweener category as an oversized edge rusher but an undersized interior DL. He can do a better job of utilizing his play strength when he attacks blocks and needs to play with a better base and anchor against the run to avoid standing up and getting pushed off his spot. Watch this play against Iowa State. Lacy manages to get in on the stop at the goal line, but you see him pop up and initially give ground, managing to rip off the block at the last second to help make the stop.
Conclusion
Tyler Lacy is a bit of a projection as he played all over the LOS for the Cowboys and has good tape when it comes to his athleticism out in space as well as using his length and discipline to control gaps as a run defender. His size and length suggest he is best suited for an odd-front DL role at the next level but would need to add more mass and functional strength to his frame to consistently battle inside the trenches against guards and centers. Still, Lacy has pass-rush upside and an impressive motor, making him up a fun rotational piece to start his NFL career.
He may have been a better pass rusher coming out of college, but DeMarvin Leal for the Steelers is a very similar player to Lacy as he was a bit of a tweener coming out of Texas A&M. Leal also played up and down the LOS for the Aggies. Flashing his athleticism relative to his size, he would line up with his hand in the dirt as well as a standup pass rusher on the edge. Lacy is a better run defender than Leal was coming out, but the two have similar body types and skill sets that play in the league but just need to have the right fit.
Lacy should expect to go somewhere on Day Three of the draft to a team looking to add a versatile defender to the defensive line. Pittsburgh has a similar player in Leal already on the roster, but Lacy profiles as a better player inside thanks to his run defense and play strength. He needs to add a little weight, but Lacy could be a nice get in the later stages of the draft as a backup/rotational defender who brings some pass rush juice to the table as well.
Projection: Day Three
Depot Draft Grade: 6.8 –Backup/Special Teamer (5th Round)
Games Watched: vs Texas (2022), at Iowa State (2022) vs Oklahoma (2021)
