Yasir Durant: Philly Kid, Late Round Gem

Keeping it local in the late rounds, Yasir Durant is Philadelphia native with the versatility that the Philadelphia Eagles like to have backing-up their star-studded offensive line. Losing Big V has left a hole to fill on the line depth. Yasir is a 6’6″ 331-pound monster. After his one season at Arizona Western College, Durant was one of the top junior college guards in the country. His coaches at Missouri believed he had the size and athletic ability to move outside.

In his first year with the Tigers, the former All-State pick started 9 of 13 games played at the left tackle spot. Durant started all 13 games on the blind side as a junior in 2018, and then 11 games at that spot in his senior campaign.

.⁦@YasirDurant_⁩ put em on notice at the ⁦@NFL⁩ Combine 👀#MIZ x #NFLCombine 🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/5ZYixatZwS
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) February 29, 2020

He could be a right tackle backing up All-pro Lane Johnson but could offer swing tackle or guard value at the NFL level. Durant is somewhat limited and isn’t going to blow people away as a run blocker, but his length and ability to anchor in pass protection is what will be his most appealing attribute. Durant has a good ability to backup almost any of the starters on the Philly O-line. He could be a potential starter one day with seasoning behind arguably one of the top offensive lines in the league.

Strengths

Has a beefy, wide and long frame
Effective use of size to crowd and secure angle blocks
Strong upper body
Can scrap in tight quarters
Sits and anchors against power
Uses length for extended feel and contact with rushers
May offer guard/tackle option

Weaknesses

Needs better angles/landmarks in the run game
Protected by quick passing game and limited pro sets in college
Slide quickness is below average
Mediocre change of direction to respond to end-tackle twists
Struggles to around top of the rush

Al Zaffiri

Al is one of the two co-creators of Edge of Philly Sports. Al started radio and podcasting in 2012 and covering sports in 2015. A lifelong Philly sports fan since watching the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers with his grandfathers at age 7. Al always looks at the other side of the hot topics and gives his different outlook on those topics. Web and Graphic Design.