Danno

The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
By Matt Miller, Mar 16, 2016

9. Zach Strief, New Orleans Saints



Pass Protection 32/45

At this point in Zach Strief's career, pass protection doesn't come easy. He has to be efficient with his pass-protection technique to have consistent success against the NFL's dynamic pass-rushers.

Strief is at his best when he can set firm and get his hands on defenders to end the fight early, but he can expand his set points and get to his landmark to punch and anchor rushers who are attempting to get upfield. Where he struggles is in facing wide edge-rushers with an elite first step, as it puts constant strain on him to get vertical and set his feet.

Strief still shows the patience and punch timing to deliver a violent strike and the overall strength to consistently anchor, though. He does a good job of maintaining depth relationship to pass off line games and displays the mental processing and awareness to sort through pressures.

Run Blocking 41/45

Even at 32, Strief is still a mauler in the run game and plays with good physicality. He has great square power and generally explodes out of his stance, quickly engaging to hit, lift and drive defenders off the point of attack on base blocks or angled drive blocks. There are times, though, when he plays with too much weight forward and stops his feet, resulting in him falling off blocks.

Strief violently collapses 3-techniques on deuce blocks when he is the post man and is able to stand defenders up on combo and duo double-teams. He does a good job of climbing to the second level and fitting up on linebackers as well. His biggest issue on film is in cutting off the backside when runs go away from him.

B/R NFL 1000: Ranking the Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015 | Bleacher Report