Let's use today's 2012 NFL Draft Prospect Profile to look at a player who could be a third- or fourth-round project as an offensive tackle. Boise State left tackle Nate Potter is an underweight player who needs to gain strength, but many scouting reports indicate he does have talent provided he gains the needed strength.
Potter's need to get stronger was evident when he posted just 22 reps at 225 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, placing 32nd among 48 linemen tested.
From Wes Bunting of the National Football Post:
"Potter, in my book, is a poor man's version of former Boston College LT Anthony Castonzo, as he has the talent to earn a starting job in more of a zone scheme, but is going to need a year or two before he's ready physically to mature into the player he's capable of becoming."
NFL.com summarizes Potter this way:
"Potter has been a reliable and athletic lineman for Boise state and started every game the past two years (plus most of each of his first two seasons) at left tackle protecting Kellen Moore. He takes good angles to the second level and is a very heady player who knows how to get to his blocks and has the strength to stick on them. He is a bit underweight for tackle."
FF Toolbox says:
In zone-based schemes, he'll be a natural. For teams that use a lot of drive-blocking, he will need work and some added bulk. As he continues to get stronger over the next couple years, Potter will most definitely be a starting tackle in the NFL.
Nate Potter Profile
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 303
School: Boise State