NFL Draft Profile: OL Cade Mays

After making two stops at SEC East rivals, former five-star prospect Cade Mays is off to the NFL. A longtime Tennessee commit, Mays ended up selecting Georgia over his hometown Volunteers, who have been as soon as once more in the course of one other messy teaching change. Two years later, he transferred dwelling, enjoying alongside of his little brother Cooper.

Mays performed all over the place for Georgia, and did they identical for Tennessee. He began at guard in 2020 earlier than shifting out to proper sort out in 2021. This previous season, he was an enormous a part of one of many high speeding assaults within the nation, serving to to pave the way in which for the Volunteers to complete eleventh in speeding offense within the FBS.

Measurables

Peak: 6-4

Weight: 311

Wingspan: 6-11

40: 5.24

Bench: 21 reps of 225

What he brings to the NFL

Mays is an fascinating analysis as a result of he’s a man that hasn’t actually settled into one function all through his profession. That may be a plus for versatility, but additionally leaves question-marks about the place his long-term match. The consensus appears to be that Mays will find yourself enjoying on the inside, even perhaps at heart. Groups labored Mays at heart throughout senior bowl practices again in February.

One other difficulty dragging Mays down is solely his skill to remain on the sector. He missed a number of video games in three of his 4 seasons, lacking the ultimate three video games of his Tennessee profession final fall. For a man that’s doubtless going to be battling to stay on a roster, availability will probably be a key for Mays going ahead.

Nonetheless, when you can put the items collectively and perhaps give him a while and seasoning, Mays nonetheless has the flexibility to play at this degree. He’s a robust blocker with a imply streak to him — a man that’s going to play by each whistle and get his cash’s price. The body and the play power are there, although he’s been knocked for his lack of agility and adaptability.

It’s doubtless that proper sort out wasn’t his greatest match at Tennessee, however given the choices, it’s the place he match greatest within the beginning 5. With guard or heart becoming him higher from an athletic standpoint, Mays is a pleasant developmental choose someday in the course of day three.

NFL Draft Projection: Spherical 5/6