05-26-2019, 02:23 PM
I think the biggest misconception about Elflein was that he was really good as a rookie. He made the all rookie team, but I'm pretty sure he was the only rookie center to have earned a starting spot that year. PFF ranked him 32 out of 38 qualifying centers that year. He gets a pass for 2018.
That said, I expect him to be a revelation at left guard this year. The best LG we've had since Steve Hutchinson. Going into his 3rd season, fully healthy, back to strength. And since he's a much better run blocker than pass blocker I expect our focus on the run will help him quite a bit.
Found his PFF grades at center and guard at OSU:
At guard in 2014 and 2015 Pat Elflein had an:
82.3 and 87.5 overall grade
73.8 and 80.5 pass block grade
84.9 and 88.5 run block grade
In 2016 at center Pat Elflein had an:
80.9 overall grade
66.5 pass block grade
88.2 run block grade
That said, I expect him to be a revelation at left guard this year. The best LG we've had since Steve Hutchinson. Going into his 3rd season, fully healthy, back to strength. And since he's a much better run blocker than pass blocker I expect our focus on the run will help him quite a bit.
Found his PFF grades at center and guard at OSU:
At guard in 2014 and 2015 Pat Elflein had an:
82.3 and 87.5 overall grade
73.8 and 80.5 pass block grade
84.9 and 88.5 run block grade
In 2016 at center Pat Elflein had an:
80.9 overall grade
66.5 pass block grade
88.2 run block grade