A key cog in the resurgence of Missouri football this past season, Javon Foster heads to the NFL after a successful senior season. One of the most intriguing developmental tackles in this draft class, Foster will likely hear his name called in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Javon Foster Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’5″
- Weight: 309 pounds
- Position: OT
- School: Missouri
- Current Year: Graduate Student
- Hand: 9 3/8″
- Arm: 35″
- Wingspan: 82 3/8″
A former three-star recruit in the 2018 class, Foster has worked his way into one of the better tackles in this draft class. He redshirted as a freshman in 2018 and played in just two games in 2019. Foster earned more playing time in 2020, however, spending time at both tackle spots.
Foster’s playing time skyrocketed in 2021 when he became a full-time starter at left tackle. After starting every game for the Tigers at LT in 2021 and 2022, 2023 was his breakout season.
Javon Foster
He can be a little clunky in pass pro at times, but he does deliver accurate strikes with his hands. Lands one hand on the chest of the edge rusher and then sinks his hips and anchors in to stop the rush. pic.twitter.com/qpL2Jt68oZ— Caleb James (@CJScoobs)
Foster garnered 2023 third-team All-American and first-team All-SEC honors. He was also placed on both the 2023 Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award watchlists. Foster also helped Missouri’s offensive line finish as a 2023 Joe Moore Award semifinalist.
Foster’s Scouting Report
Games Watched: Kentucky (2023), Kansas State (2023), Tennessee (2023), LSU (2023), Georgia (2023), Florida (2023)
Strengths
- Great length for the position, uses length well to establish and sustain contact.
- Very good athletic ability to mirror rushers around the arc.
- Great play strength to pave open rushing lanes and anchor against bull rushers.
- Athletic in space to reach and cut off backside lanes.
- Good climber up to the second level, able to reach moving targets in space.
- Looks for work in pass protection.
- Mixes up pass sets.
- Positional versatility, significant snaps at both tackle spots.
- Accurate, strong first punch, can pop defenders off of initial rush.
- Physical, violent mauler with great competitive toughness.
Weaknesses
- Often overextends and lunges, leaving him open to pass-rush counters.
- Poor footwork and balance leaves him slipping off of blocks.
- Needs to improve timing of punches in pass protection.
- Slow to reset if initial punch fails in pass pro and in run game.
- Poor awareness when handling stunts and blitzes.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
Foster presents a pretty intriguing developmental tackle option for teams in the 2024 NFL Draft.
It’s easy to see the tools with Foster, with his impressive power, athletic ability, and length. He’s physical and sets a tone in the run game and can seal out defenders when he establishes contact. Add that onto his play at both tackle spots and his ability to win in space, and Foster’s appeal to an NFL team is immense.
Foster does have some technical faults he’ll have to clean up. It’s a bit concerning that an older prospect with years under his belt has some fundamental issues, but a big leap from 2022 to 2023 under a new OL coach suggests there are still plenty of developmental possibilities with an NFL coaching staff.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Prospect Watchlist
Foster will need some growth for his play to match his upside, but he has fantastic traits that will make him a project several NFL teams will gamble on developing. Foster could push for a top-100 spot, but he likely ends up a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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