Jaelyn Duncan DRAFT PROFILE – 2023 NFL DRAFT
Jaelyn Duncan NFL DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT INTRODUCTION
Jaelyn Duncan, a former student-athlete at St. Frances Academy High School, was a highly-touted prospect in the world of college football. He earned a 4-star rating from ESPN and a 4-star grade from 247 Sports, which spoke to his incredible potential as a player.
After graduating high school, Duncan made the decision to continue his football career at the University of Maryland. During his freshman year in 2018, he was given the opportunity to play in two games and recorded a total of 22 snaps as a left tackle. Despite his limited playing time, Duncan showcased his talent by allowing zero QB hurries, hits, or sacks. This performance provided a glimpse of the potential he possessed as a player.
As a sophomore in 2019, Duncan’s role on the team expanded significantly. He played in 12 games and recorded 688 snaps as a left tackle. However, his performance was less than stellar, as he conceded 29 QB hurries, 8 QB hits, and 7 sacks. These statistics were a sign that Duncan still had room for improvement in his game.
The following year, Duncan saw action in just five games due to the shortened 2020 season. He recorded 313 snaps as a left tackle and showed signs of improvement by conceding only 6 QB hurries, one QB hit, and one sack. It was clear that he was working on his weaknesses and making strides to become a better player.
In his senior year in 2021, Duncan played in 13 games and recorded a total of 804 snaps as a left tackle. His performance was solid, as he allowed only 7 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 4 sacks. This was a significant improvement from his performance as a sophomore and showed that he was continuing to grow and develop as a player.
Finally, in 2022 as a fifth-year senior, Duncan played in 11 games and recorded 724 snaps as a left tackle. Although his performance was still solid, he allowed 16 QB hurries, 4 QB hits, and 7 sacks, indicating that there was still room for improvement.
Jaelyn Duncan DRAFT PROFILE
Jaelyn Duncan, a talented football player, possesses impressive athleticism that enables him to excel in both run blocking and pass protection. As a run blocker, Duncan’s skills are best showcased when he is executing pulling tackles, which he accomplishes with ease and agility. His athleticism permits him to quickly climb to the second level of defenses, intercepting defenders and disrupting their flow to the football.
In pass protection, Duncan’s athletic prowess is on full display, as he displays swift initial quickness at the snap, enabling him to gain depth in his pass set. His quick feet allow him to move in both the lateral and vertical planes, further showcasing his remarkable athleticism.
Jaelyn Duncan 40 YARD DASH- 5.3 SECONDS
SCOUTING REPORT- STRENGTHS
Jaelyn Duncan possesses a prototypical build for an NFL tackle, boasting a wide frame and long arms that enable him to perform effectively as a pass protector on the edge. He also has the ability to play with good balance, which is essential for executing plays with precision.
When it comes to the run game, Duncan is a force to be reckoned with, demonstrating an explosive style of play and using leverage and upper-body strength to his advantage. He plays with a mean streak, generating a push at the initial point of attack and doing a decent job landing blocks in space. Additionally, Duncan flashes heavy hands, allowing him to knock back pass rushers and maintain control over the game.
As a run blocker, Duncan is a standout player, effectively working on the second level and showing a level of toughness that is often required to excel in this role.
In terms of physical attributes, Duncan is a big athlete with good bulk and a filled-out frame, which only adds to his impressive skillset. He stays balanced, doesn’t overextend in pass protection, and maintains discipline with good bend and leverage, making him a player to be feared on the field.
While there are undoubtedly areas in which Duncan could improve, his natural talent and physical ability make him a valuable asset to any team, and his dedication to the game ensures that he is continually refining his skills to perform at his best.
SCOUTING REPORT- WEAKNESSES
Jaelyn Duncan is a promising athlete, demonstrating impressive skills on the field. However, his comfort level is more apparent when moving forward as a run blocker than setting in pass protection. Often, he relies too heavily on his initial punch to stand up pass rushers instead of moving his feet, which is a cause for concern.
Duncan’s hands are not violent enough to stand pass rushers up early in the down, leading to instances where he plays with poor balance. His choppy footwork and tendency to set too high in pass protection only exacerbate these issues. Duncan generally plays with poor balance, highlighting the need for him to improve his core strength.
While Duncan has plenty of potential, he needs to refine his technique and improve his overall strength to play at a higher level consistently. In particular, he must work on his footwork and hand placement to become a more effective pass protector. This will require a significant amount of time and dedication, but with the right training, there is no doubt that Duncan can develop into a dominant force on the field. As long as he continues to work hard and learn from his mistakes, his future in football looks promising.
Jaelyn Duncan DRAFT SUMMARY
Jaelyn Duncan is a football prospect with immense upside due to his natural physical tools and movement ability. However, his game’s technical aspects require significant improvement to enable him to play at a high level consistently. While Duncan’s athleticism is undoubtedly a valuable asset, refining his techniques will significantly enhance his on-field performance and elevate his status as a player.
Maryland tackle Jaelyn Duncan is our 38th ranked prospect on our draft big board.
Plus Side:
- Fantastic as a run blocker
- Great upper body strength
- Good length and height
Negatives:
- Doesn’t move feet well in pass protection
- Lacks intense physicality
- Not great knee bend, tends to stay upright