Tate Ratledge 2025 NFL Draft Georgia OG Scouting Report
Tate Ratledge, a physical and athletic right guard, enters the 2025 NFL Draft after anchoring Georgia’s offensive line with 36 career starts. A two-time national champion, First-Team All-SEC honoree, and 2024 All-American, he showcased toughness and dominance despite battling injuries.
Tate Ratledge 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Tate Ratledge, a Rome, Georgia native, arrived at the University of Georgia as a highly regarded four-star recruit out of Darlington School in 2020. A multi-sport athlete with a football, basketball, and track (shot put) background, Ratledge brought a blend of athleticism and physicality to the Bulldogs’ offensive line.
After redshirting his freshman year and suffering a season-ending Lisfranc injury in his first start in 2021, he emerged as a full-time starter at right guard in 2022. Over the next three seasons, Ratledge logged 36 starts, earning First-Team All-SEC honors in 2023 and 2024 and First-Team All-American recognition in 2024. Despite battling injuries, including a high ankle sprain requiring TightRope surgery in 2024, he anchored one of college football’s premier offensive lines, contributing to two national championships (2021, 2022).
Ratledge possesses a prototypical guard frame with a tall, broad build that carries his 310 pounds effectively. His length and mass give him a natural advantage in close quarters, while his lower-body flexibility allows him to play with leverage despite his height. Athletically, he’s a smooth mover for his size, with above-average lateral agility and the ability to accelerate into space when pulling or climbing to the second level. His power is evident in his dense lower half and strong hands, which deliver a jolt on contact.
HT: 6064
WT: 308
HAND: 900
ARM: 3268
40: 4.97
Strengths:
- Anchor in Pass Protection: Ratledge’s ability to sit down against power rushers stands out. He absorbs bull rushes with a wide base and strong core, rarely giving ground to interior defenders. His hand placement and timing disrupt rushers early, allowing him to reset the line of scrimmage.
- Run-Blocking Power: A tone-setter in the run game, Ratledge excels at driving defenders off the ball in gap schemes. His leg drive and upper-body strength generate consistent movement, particularly on double teams, where he can wash down defensive tackles and seal lanes.
- Football IQ: Ratledge processes defensive fronts quickly, identifying stunts and twists with reliable consistency. His awareness shines in combo blocks, where he transitions smoothly from the first level to linebackers without losing balance or timing.
- Competitive Toughness: Known for a relentless demeanor, he finishes blocks with authority and plays through the whistle. His physicality sets the tone for Georgia’s downhill rushing attack.
- Experience: With over 2,000 snaps at right guard in the SEC, Ratledge has faced elite competition and thrived in high-stakes environments, including national title runs.
Areas for Improvement:
- Injury History: Durability is a concern after missing significant time in 2021 (Lisfranc fracture) and 2024 (ankle/MCL sprains). Teams will scrutinize his medicals to assess his long-term reliability.
- Pad Level Consistency: At 6’6”, Ratledge occasionally rises out of his stance, losing leverage against shorter, quicker defenders. This can lead to him being pushed back or slipped on vertical blocks.
- Lateral Quickness vs. Speed Rushers: While adequate for a guard, his foot speed can be tested by dynamic interior rushers who rely on upfield burst or secondary moves. He sometimes overextends to compensate, leaving him vulnerable to counters.
- Positional Versatility: Almost exclusively a right guard at Georgia, Ratledge lacks experience at tackle or center. This limits his appeal to teams seeking multi-positional linemen.
- Hand Technique Refinement: His punch is powerful but can lack precision, especially in space. Improving placement and timing could elevate his pass protection ceiling.
Conclusion:
Ratledge profiles as a plug-and-play starter at guard in the NFL, best suited for a power/gap-based scheme where his size and strength can overwhelm defenders in tight spaces. His pass protection skills are advanced enough to handle pro-level interior rushers, though he’ll need coaching to refine his technique against speedier opponents. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, or Cincinnati Bengals—needing a physical presence to bolster their interior—could target him in the second or third round. If he stays healthy and polishes his fundamentals, Ratledge has the tools to be a multi-year starter with Pro Bowl upside.
Like Kevin Zeitler, Ratledge combines a sturdy frame, technical soundness, and a nasty streak. Both excel in power schemes and hold their own in pass protection, though Ratledge’s taller build may require more attention to leverage early in his career.
Ratledge is a high-floor prospect with the physical traits and experience to step into an NFL lineup as a rookie. His injury history and lack of versatility cap his ceiling slightly, but his blend of power, smarts, and tenacity makes him a safe bet to contribute immediately.
Round Grade: Mid 3rd – Early 4th Round
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