2019 NFL Draft: Texas LG Patrick Vahe scouting report

Throughout the course of his four-year-tenure with the Texas Longhorns, offensive guard Patrick Vahe registered 45 starts in 48 career appearances. After going through some ups-and-downs regarding his performance on the field and battling various injuries throughout his first three seasons, Vahe excelled in his one year under first-year co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Herb Hand.

He started in all 14 games and was named an All-Big 12 honorable mention this past season.

Coming in as a two-time all-state honoree out of high school, the Trinity product was rated as the nation’s No. 2 center and as No. 16 prospect in the state of Texas, per the 247Sports Composite. Along with Malik Jefferson, Vahe was the only other freshman to start from day one under Charlie Strong. Behind a solidified offensive line, Texas ranked 18th in the country with 224.8 rushing yards per game in 2015. As a freshman, Vahe earned ESPN Freshman All-American and All-Big 12 Underclassmen team honors.

After all the offensive line issues in 2017, Tom Herman hired Hand from Auburn to help improve the play in the trenches. The hire of Hand paid dividends to the progress that Vahe made from his junior to senior season. From correcting some small details to bringing in new blocking techniques, Hand’s adjustments helped strengthen the offensive line play last year.

Although he was snubbed of an invitation to the NFL Combine, Vahe competed at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and performed well at his Pro Day. His 30 reps on the bench press would have been among the most completed by an offensive lineman at the NFL Combine.

Standing at 6’4, 320-pounds, Vahe possesses some major strengths as a pass-protector, including his strong physical presence, active use of hands, and a consistent ability to maintain leverage underneath defenders. At times, Vahe can look dominant as an interior-blocker and will take on some double teams from defenders with no problem.

The biggest question mark for Vahe at the next level remains to be his lack of lateral movement and down-the-field mobility. With pulling guard counter and power run plays becoming a major trend in pro-style offenses, Vahe will have to work at becoming more agile and quick with his feet, especially with the amount of emerging versatile defensive linemen there are in this year’s class.

Should we expect to hear Vahe’s name called on Day 3?

Probably not. Although, there’s still some value in drafting Vahe as a legit interior pass protector. At the least, he’ll find a home on a practice squad with the opportunity to work his way up onto an NFL roster.

Draft Scout currently ranks Vahe at No. 54 overall for his position (OG) and projects him to go undrafted.