NFL Draft 2021: Top 5 LA Rams prospects from Independent colleges

Offensive tackle

With the third of five focus features, we turn to the other offensive tackle for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish offense. And so, we turn our gaze towards Robert Hainsey ( 5.90-grade per NFL.com)

While not exactly a Day One starter, Notre Dame’s Robert Hainsey is a solid prospect who can possibly be coached up into something special.

Although this 6-foot-5, 290-pounder played right tackle for the Fighting Irish, scouts most often project him as a guard in the NFL because they say he lacks the athleticism and movement skills necessary to play that position in the professional ranks.

But let’s spin that another way – he’s a solid interior blocker with “positional versatility.” At the very least, Hainsey can be a solid depth piece given his experience at tackle and his projection toward the guard role.

At this year’s Senior Bowl, he played guard and was widely viewed as one of the standout players in that contest. The Rams have a history of liking players whose play shined through at the Senior Bowl, too. So you can bet that he’s already on the Rams shortlist. If draft projections hold true, he will fall to day three, which is the ideal location for the Rams to select an offensive lineman.

Hainsey started 34 games and played in 46 over the course of his college football career. He was a two-time captain for the Fighting Irish and was instrumental in solidifying Notre Dame’s perennial status as a football factory that churns out good offensive linemen year after year. Team captains exhibit leadership and good character. Hmm… he sounds like an ideal candidate for the LA Rams roster.