Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OT, Oregon | NFL Draft Scouting Report

The 2023 NFL Draft class is deep and talented on both sides of the ball, including the offensive line, where Oregon OT Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu is a name to keep in mind as we hit the later rounds and into Day 3.

While most of the conversation has been focused on the top names in the class, what does Aumavae-Laulu’s scouting report suggest about his NFL draft stock?

Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu NFL Draft Profile

• Position: Offensive Tackle
• School: Oregon
• Year: Redshirt Senior

Every journey to the NFL is different. For some, it’s written in stone from the beginning. Some come from hotbeds nationwide that do nothing but produce NFL talent. Yet, how many can say their journey has led them through Alaska, Nevada, Texas, Oregon, and with a little Samoan flavor added in along the way?

Despite being one of the biggest states in the country, Alaska doesn’t produce many football players, let alone anyone the size of Aumavae-Laulu. Growing up in Palmer, Alaska, a town with about 7,200 people, it was evident that if Aumavae-Laulu wanted to continue his potential journey to the NFL, he would have to do it elsewhere.

Aumavae-Laulu moved to Las Vegas, where he played for Liberty High School. A second-team All-State selection as a junior and a senior, he enrolled at Navarro College in Texas, where he planned to work on his academics to gain attention from more prominent programs.

During this period, and throughout his entire life, Aumavae-Laulu gained guidance from his uncle, Junior, who had a cup of coffee with the NFL, though he never played in a regular-season game.

The No. 1 ranked JUCO tackle in the nation, Aumavae-Laulu had his choice of some of the best programs in the country, including Alabama, Oklahoma, USC, and others. However, it was Oregon where Aumavae-Laulu chose to play after, once again, gaining advice from his uncle, who said it was a message pitched by offensive line coach Alex Mirabal that helped seal the deal.

One of the first things Aumavae-Laulu did was switch his number from 74, which he wore at Navarro, to 71, Junior’s number from college.

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After redshirting his junior season, Aumavae-Laulu never came off the field. He was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention (coaches) as a redshirt junior and started six games at right tackle for the Ducks during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. However, of his 360 total snaps, 235 came at right tackle, while an additional 125 came at right guard.

Aumavae-Laulu played in all 14 of Oregon’s games while making 10 starts, including in the final nine games in 2021. While he did initially make the announcement he would opt out of the final year with the Ducks and enter the 2022 NFL Draft, Aumavae-Laulu announced he had changed his mind and would return to Oregon for the 2022 season.

As a redshirt senior, Aumavae-Laulu was a coaches’ All-Pac-12 honorable mention and started in all 14 games at right tackle for the Ducks. In his four years in Eugene, Aumavae-Laulu allowed only three sacks on over 1,000 pass-blocking snaps.

After being selected to the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl, Aumavae-Laulu attended the NFL Combine, where he measured in at 6’5 1/2″ and 317 pounds with 34 1/2″ arms and 10 1/2″ hands. In testing, he ran a 5.23 40-yard dash, jumped 28.5″ in the vertical, 8’10” in the broad, and ran the three-cone in 7.65 seconds and the 20-yard shuttle in 4.75.

However, testing metrics are only one part of the evaluation. To better understand where Aumavae-Laulu shines and where he could use some refinement as the NFL Draft closes in, we have to turn to the scouting report.

Tony Pauline’s Scouting Report for Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu

Strengths: Large, powerful lineman who blocks with solid fundamentals. Bends his knees, sinks his butt, and stays square. Explosive at the point, fires into blocks, and easily turns defenders from the action. Keeps his feet moving and makes good use of angles and body positioning to seal defenders from plays and protect the edge. Powerful, gets movement run blocking, and drives defenders off the line.

Weaknesses: Lacks footwork off the edge and lateral blocking range. Must improve his blocking balance. Minimally effective on the move or on the second level.

Overall: Aumavae-Laulu was a terrific three-year starting right tackle for Oregon who comes with outstanding size and power. He’s a power gap blocker who offers possibilities as a strongside tackle or guard.

Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu Combine Measurements and Results

• Height: 6’5 1/2″
• Weight: 317
• Arm Length: 34 1/2″
• Hand Size: 10 3/4″
• Bench Press: DNP
• 40-Yard Dash: 5.23
• Vertical Jump: 28.5″
• Broad Jump: 8’10”

Oregon OT Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu Current Draft Projection

The 2023 NFL draft has a great prospect class if you need to improve the offensive line, specifically at guard and tackle. While the likes of Peter Skoronski and Paris Johnson Jr. dominate the headlines, there is undoubtedly plenty of value in the middle rounds.

With most of the focus on the higher-ranked prospects, Aumavae-Laulu could wait a while before his name is called. Currently, he is the 17th-ranked tackle on Tony Pauline’s Big Board and the No. 264-ranked player with a grade of 3.27, placing his draft projection around the seventh-round range.

MORE: 2023 NFL Draft Big Board

From a physical trait standpoint, Aumavae-Laulu checks all the boxes. He’s a powerful lineman with many attributes you look for in a right tackle. However, as noted, he is very raw and will need to clean up his technique before he is ever counted on in the NFL. There’s a good chance that might need to happen on the practice squad. Aumavae-Laulu’s path would likely be easier if he played guard and not tackle.

Yet, at the point in the draft where Aumavae-Laulu is expected to go, you’re banking on nothing but upside as an NFL organization. There’s no risk involved at this point, and if Aumavae-Laulu cleans up as technique, he could end up being one of the most valuable picks a team makes during the 2023 NFL Draft.