Scouting Florida football OL Brandon\u00a0Crenshaw-Dickson ahead of the 2025 NFL draft
Scouting Florida football OL Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson ahead of the 2025 NFL draft
The start of the 2025 NFL draft is less than a week away, with a handful of former Florida Gators hoping to hear their names called among the 257 selections. Among them is redshirt senior offensive lineman Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, who transferred to Gainesville from San Diego State for his final season of eligibility.
The 6-foot-7-inch, 322-pound trench warrior originally out of the Golden State was an important cog in Billy Napier's offensive scheme last fall, helping the program earn its first winning record for the season after three-straight seasons of futility. After the schedule ended, he participated in both the East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL combine.
Below is a breakdown of Crenshaw-Dickson's stock heading into the draft in a question-and-answer format exchanged with Packers Wire's Brennan Rupp.
What did Crenshaw-Dickson mean to Florida's offense?
There is little doubt that he was a key component of Florida's front line last season. Appearing in all 12 regular-season games and logging 685 offensive snaps for an overall 80.4 PFF grade (second best on the O-line) at right tackle, he allowed zero sacks and received some of the best grades from PFF among the offensive line corps.
Along with Jake Slaughter, BCD was a key component of Florida's offensive line both in the passing and running games.
What does Crenshaw-Dickson do well as a run blocker?
Run blocking is the lesser end of his skill set, grading out at 78.3 per PFF — though it is worth noting that he improved drastically from his 2023 grade of 69.4 with San Diego State. Coarsely speaking, he was a positive contributor to an effective running game for the Gators thanks largely to his intelligence and knowledge of the playbook, plus he has a body that is great for blocking.
However, while his massive frame does him plenty of favors, he appears to lack the speed and athleticism necessary to match up with elite edge rushers and defensive linemen. There are ways to maximize his physical potential, but he seems to be nearing his ceiling when it comes to run blocking.
What makes Crenshaw-Dickson effective in pass protection?
On the other hand, his ability to keep the defense off his quarterback's back earned him an 81.8 PFF grade, an improvement from 77.3 the previous season. Unlike in run protection, he can stay home and use the inertia from his massive size to stonewall rushers and establish the pocket.
An added benefit is the experience he has gained on both the blind and strong sides. Again, his IQ is evident in how he executes fluidly from the moment the ball is snapped throughout the entire play, always having a feel for where his quarterback is.
It is mildly ironic to praise an O-lineman after a season that saw two quarterbacks go down with injuries, but neither was his fault.
If you were an NFL GM, why would you draft Crenshaw-Dickson?
Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson is a physical specimen with some limitations when it comes to athleticism, who also possesses a high football IQ and always manages to be on the field. His extensive experience and versatility will also be big positives for him in the upcoming draft, but he probably cannot be considered 'NFL-ready' just yet.
All things considered, I'd project BCD as a middle-round pick — maybe as high as third or as low as fifth round — given that he is not likely to make an immediate impact in the league. He has a motor that doesn't stop and a brain like a sponge, so the effort and hardware are in place for any franchise looking to bolster its O-line.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
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