Marcus Gilbert

Marcus Gilbert

College:  Florida

Age:  23 years old

Experience: Senior (5 years)

Starts at LT:   7 games

Starts at RT:  20 games

Starts at OG:  3 games

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Height:  6 feet 6 inches

Weight:  330 lbs.

Arm Length:  33.50 inches

Hand Width:  9.75 inches

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Projection:  Offensive Tackle/Guard

Projected Round:  4th – 5th Round

Combine Results (Pro Day Results)

40 Yard Dash:  5.46 seconds

3-Cone Drill:  -.– seconds

20-Yard Shuttle:  -.–

Bench Press:  30 reps

Vertical Jump:  — inches

Broad Jump:  — inches

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Speed: Gilbert has relatively good speed given his size. While being in the upper half of the forty times, he also was one of only four offensive linemen to weigh in at 330 pounds or more. Even though he is one of the bigger offensive linemen, he does not look or play like he is overweight, and his quickness off the snap and moving down field demonstrate this point. Gilbert is very good coming off the snap with a good burst of quickness. This is highlighted by his fast 10 yard split (how much time it took for him to run the first 10 yards). The quicker the split is the better the acceleration of the player. In this case, scouting reports and measurables match up with Gilbert being lauded for having very good short distance speed with a good ability to get to the linebackers and block. 

Agility: Gilbert doesn’t have the amazing quickness of the top tier prospects and the fact he did not compete in any agility drills during the combine did nothing to assuage those concerns. While Gilbert has good technique in his footwork, and long enough arms to be a blind side offensive tackle in college, the simple fact is that a 330 pound man is not going to have the fastest lateral movement around. Now, all that said, Gilbert does show more than enough quickness to play right tackle, but he does not have the top tier quickness to confidently say he will succeed on the left side. Gilbert is capable of staying with edge rushers, and is able to change directions quite well, letting him redirect his attack down field as a lead blocker. He runs upright, though, allowing more agile defensive backs and linebackers to side step him.

Experience: Gilbert signed to Florida knowing that he would be stuck behind entrenched starters initially, and so he didn’t get his first starts until the middle of his sophomore year at left and right guard. In his junior year, though, Gilbert took over at right tackle, which was actually as the blind side tackle for Tim Tebow who is left handed. Gilbert started all 14 games that year, and as a senior he split time between both tackle positions, transitioning from right tackle to left tackle to continue to be the blind side blocker. While this is not explicitly about Gilbert himself, it should be noted that his father is an active Secret Service Agent who was on the protection details for each of the past three sitting presidents (Clinton to Obama), and is still an agent. While this is not a selling point for Gilbert, it does imply that he comes from an environment that promotes exceptional dedication and a willingness to go out of his way to succeed.

Size/Build: Gilbert is one of only 4 offensive linemen that weighed in at 330 pounds or more, but his weight fits his frame very well. He does not look fat or overweight at that size, and continues to be very athletic on the field. He won’t really be able to bulk up any further, but it is unlikely that he would need to anyway. Gilbert also shows exceptional upper and lower body strength. His 30 reps at Bench Press rated in the top 10 for offensive linemen. In addition, he had one of the best 10 yard splits for offensive linemen, indicating excellent acceleration over short distances. Why this is telling is because simple physics states that the force a body (or player in this instance) can generate is mass times acceleration. At 330 pounds with one of the better accelerations, Gilbert has the ability to generate some of the greatest force off the line. Good technique helps ensure that he will continue to be effective as a blocker in the NFL.

Pass Blocking: Gilbert is an experienced pass blocker who shows good technique overall, but lacks the elite measurables to really indicate that he would be effective as a left tackle in the NFL. He has the technique, footwork, and agility necessary to compete against most defensive ends, but can struggle against the elite end of the spectrum. Gilbert does have an exceptionally strong base, though, and is able to quash bull rushes rather well. Against blitzing linebackers, he has been known to stop them so effectively that the linebackers are literally lifted off their feet in the block. Gilbert has experience as a lead blocker on screen passes, and shows enough cutback speed to change directions and pickup linebackers, corners and safeties relatively effectively, especially in close quarters where the defender is less able to utilize their agility to avoid him.

Run Blocking: Gilbert is an extremely effective run blocker. His lower body strength allows him to drive into defenders and push them off the line effectively, while his strong arms allow him to control defenders through the block. Gilbert also plays very smart, and is capable of trapping quick defensive ends in the backfield and keeping them pinned there until the play has fully developed and moved out of range for the defensive end to catch the RB from behind. Gilbert is good at blocking down field as well. He has very good technique and makes full use of his arms to take linebackers out of the play. Gilbert does have a slight balance issue as he tends to lean into defensive ends and linebackers in blocks to press them back. He also can get tripped up in congestion.

Health: Gilbert has never missed a game due to injury and has no current injury concerns. He did not compete fully in the Combine, it would seem, so that he can attempt to post better numbers in his home environment, which is a common trend for a number of players who fear their draft stock will take a significant hit due to a poor performance at the Combine. Gilbert is expected to fully participate in his Pro-Day. Gilbert is considered one of the most durable offensive linemen in a draft class full of durable linemen.

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OVERVIEW: Gilbert fits what the Colts ask for offensive linemen as he is a hard working, and versatile athlete without character concerns. He shows great leadership skills, and has been known to bury himself in the playbook to better his game. The family environment Gilbert comes from also signals that he is an upstanding citizen with impeccable character. What Gilbert also offers, though, is the chance for the Colts to find a significant replacement for Ryan Diem with a hard working offensive tackle who will likely help increase the running production on the right side from its measly 3.1 YPC average last year. Gilbert is 10 pounds heavier than Diem, and for an offensive line that is known to be small, he would offer a serious weight increase to help anchor the right side. If RG Jacques McClendon is able to supplant Mike Pollak this coming year and we draft any of the top LT prospects early, we would have 4 of the 5 offensive linemen over 310 pounds, with only stalwart Jeff Saturday under 300 pounds. Gilbert is projected in the 4th round and, given that he could likely start immediately at RT, would be exceptional value. In all honesty, depending upon who the Colts draft in the first couple of rounds, and how Gilbert’s stock rises or falls after his Pro-Day, he could even be a good value in the 3rd round.