KNOXVILLE, TN - October 14, 2023 - Offensive lineman Javontez Spraggins #76 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
When looking at offensive lineman, you want them to be able to handle their own in the trenches. Today’s report looks at a guy from Rocky Top, that when you see this man on the field, you think “If I ever saw him fighting a bear in the forest, I’d help the bear.”
Javontez Spraggins hails from East St. Louis, Illinois, and committed to Tennessee as a 3 star recruit. Coming into this season, he has started 37 games at right guard over his career, and accumulated over 2,400 snaps coming into this season, showing a steady rise in his play, and a consistency in the trenches.
His pass protection skills have been exceptional, yielding only 4 sacks over his previous 2 seasons. Off the field, he has shown himself to be an exceptional student athlete, earning a place on the SEC Academic Honor Roll 4 times, and graduating with his degree in December 2023 in sociology.
Player Info
Name: Javontez Spraggins
Jersey: No. 76
Position: Offensive Lineman (Guard)
School: University of Tennessee
Class: Senior
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 330 lbs.
Javontez Spraggins’ Strengths
Javonte is a mauler, in every sense of the word. His hands will grab onto a defender and weigh them down like anvils, and allows him to maintain control throughout the snap. He also has an exceptional amount of body control and hip to pad level, meaning that you will rarely see him lunge, overextend, or put himself out of position often.
He excels when asked to pull in a gap scheme and get out into space, especially in RPO heavy offenses. He also identifies and neutralizes blitzes, stunts and free rushers, showing a high football IQ that also has room to grow as well.
Javontez Spraggins’ Weaknesses
He does have a below-average height for an offensive lineman, which can cause issues against long armed pass rushers, which in turn could limit his ceiling as a pass protector. His recent knee injury also raises questions about his durability at the next level, especially considering the mileage (44 games played, 2,400 snaps at the start of the 2024 season) already on his career.
He does lack elite athletic ability, which could ultimately limit his impact versus stronger and faster interior defenders at the next level. With a frame that’s already maxed out in terms of size, the ceiling for Javontez is limited on how much strength he can add or how much speed he can gain without losing strength or muscle mass.
Draft Projection
I currently have a Day 3 grade on Javontez, as his athletic profile will lower his ceiling. His overall technique and skill set will help him earn his way into a roster, particularly one that focuses on RPO Options and creating space for him to use his leverage and power in.
He is raw, however, so here are a few teams that I expect to have their eyes on developing Javontez:
- Miami Dolphins (The dolphins are in need of overall offensive line depth, but could afford a talent like Javontez to be stashed on their roster while he develops his skill set further and this South Beach offense fits him perfectly.)
- Detroit Lions (While they aren’t as RPO Heavy, the lions could afford to take Spraggins and develop him as a depth piece. His mauling, gritty attitude in the trenches will make Dan Campbell more than willing to spend the draft capital.)
- Tennessee Titans (This one would be an excellent fit. Solely due to Bill Callahan, who is one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL. Giving Spraggins a chance to sit under the learning tree of Callahan would be a blessing for his development, as well as fits the need for depth along the offensive line in Nashville.)
My comparison for Javontez Spraggins: Nate Davis, Guard, Chicago Bears
Whoever is lucky enough to select Spraggins will need to be patient, as he isn’t a day 1 starting talent right now. But give him time and development, and you can have a depth piece and spot starter in the NFL. He can also develop into an OLinemen who is willing to throw a hard hat on and mix it up in the trenches with the best of them.
