Max Jean-Gilles
G, Georgia 6'4 358
War Room analysis
Run blocking: Is massive. Takes solid angles to defenders, and displays initial power. Consistently gets into position. Plays with good balance and body control in the open field. Has trouble consistently reaching linebackers and safeties on the second level. Must improve his speed. Grade: 8.3.
Pass blocking: Possesses a large wingspan, and uses hands well. Sets up quickly. Mirrors and slides well with pass rushers. Bends knees well, and shows nice lateral quickness. Lacks elite athleticism. Needs to sharpen technique. Grade: 8.0.
Initial quickness: Displays good initial quickness for his size, and shows good footwork. Gets good leverage after the snap. Grade: 7.8.
Strength: When fresh, plays with good strength and leverage. Shows improved strength. Is tough to overpower. Holds his ground against bull rushers. Grade: 7.9.
Mobility: Struggles to reach linebackers and safeties on second level. Conditioning and stamina are of concern; weight tends to fluctuate. Can be late on pulls and traps. Shows just decent speed. Grade: 7.6.
Bottom line: Jean-Gilles possesses the outstanding physical tools to dominate defenders, but his fluctuating weight is a concern. He has an early-Round 2 grade but could sneak into the first round for a power-running team.
Other draft site information.
Max Jean-Gilles is a versatile lineman who could be used at either guard or tackle in the NFL. He has experience at both positions at Georgia, but was moved to guard in order to give the interior line some more power and allow them to run between the tackles with better efficiency. He even started the 2002 SEC Championship game at the tight end position as an extra blocker. Jean-Gilles thought long and hard about entering the 2005 NFL Draft before making the decision to return for his senior campaign.
Jean-Gilles is an enormous player at 6-4 and 340 pounds. Despite his bulk, he moves surprisingly well. He is a monster as a run blocker, locking onto a defensive tackle or end and driving him straight downfield. Jean-Gilles has tremendous strength, but also understands how to use leverage and angles to defeat his opponent. He has enormous hands (10.1") and also uses them well in blocking. Jean-Gilles will need to improve his pass-blocking, primarily if an NFL team wants him to return to the tackle position. He has extremely long arms (36"), but does not have the quickness to deal with the smaller speed rushers who line up wide.
Jean-Gilles is the unquestioned leader of a talented Bulldog line. He is the best OG prospect in the draft and I would not be surprised to see him selected late in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. I would like to see him get his weight down some though. He weighed in at 350+ at the Senior Bowl and needs to drop 20 pounds or more by the time the Combine/Pro Days roll around