C himself as a powerful and skilled interior lineman, drawing the attention of NFL scouts. With Georgia’s recent success and his contributions to the Bulldogs’ dominant offensive line, Fairchild has positioned himself to be one of the top players at his position in the upcoming draft. This scouting report will break down his strengths, weaknesses, and overall potential as an NFL prospect.
Background and Career Overview
Dylan Fairchild was a highly touted recruit out of high school, earning a four-star ranking as one of the best offensive linemen in his class. He played his high school ball at West Forsyth High School in Cumming, Georgia, where he showed dominance in both pass protection and run blocking. Fairchild quickly made his mark at Georgia, stepping into a competitive program that consistently produces NFL-ready talent. His journey through the ranks of Georgia’s offensive line has been impressive, as he developed under the tutelage of one of the best offensive line coaches in the country, Matt Luke, and later under Georgia’s offensive line coach, Stacy Searels.
By his sophomore year, Fairchild earned significant playing time and started as a key contributor on one of the best offensive lines in college football. His role on the Bulldogs’ offensive line allowed him to showcase his versatility, working primarily as a guard but also contributing at other positions when needed. Fairchild’s ability to dominate in both the running and passing games was crucial to Georgia’s offensive success during their title runs, and it cemented his status as one of the premier interior linemen in the nation.
As of the 2024-2025 college football season, Fairchild is expected to enter the draft as a highly regarded prospect, with several mock drafts projecting him as a potential first- or second-round pick. His combination of size, athleticism, and technical skills make him a highly coveted player at his position.
Physical Traits and Measurements
One of Fairchild’s most impressive aspects is his size. At 6’4” and weighing around 330 pounds, Fairchild has the ideal build for an NFL offensive guard. His height allows him to maintain leverage while being tall enough to protect the quarterback in passing situations. His weight, distributed effectively throughout his frame, provides him with both power and balance. The combination of size and athleticism gives Fairchild the ability to match up against a wide range of defensive linemen, from powerful bull rushers to more agile pass rushers.
Key Physical Traits:
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 330 pounds
- Arm Length: 33 inches
- 40-Yard Dash Time (Projected): 5.1 seconds
Fairchild’s physical attributes are complemented by a solid lower-body base, with powerful legs that help him drive defenders off the ball in the running game. His flexibility and quickness allow him to change direction quickly when pulling or adjusting to stunts and twists, making him a very fluid player in both pass protection and run blocking.
Strengths
1. Power and Strength
Fairchild’s most prominent strength lies in his raw power. With his combination of size and strength, he has the ability to dominate defensive linemen in short-yardage situations and open up holes in the running game. His initial punch and hand placement are forceful, and when he gets his hands on defenders, it’s difficult for them to disengage. His ability to anchor and hold the line of scrimmage against bull rushes is one of his most impressive attributes, making him difficult to move off the ball.
In the run game, Fairchild is an asset due to his power at the point of attack. He excels in creating running lanes, especially in power and zone blocking schemes, where his strength and ability to sustain blocks are critical. Whether it’s pushing defenders off the ball or driving them backward, Fairchild can create a strong foundation for his running backs.
2. Versatility
Another major strength of Fairchild’s game is his versatility. While he plays primarily at guard, he has shown the ability to play both tackle and center during his time at Georgia. This positional flexibility gives teams the confidence that they can slot him into various spots on the offensive line depending on team needs or injury situations. His high football IQ and understanding of offensive line play make him a smart player, able to adapt quickly to different blocking schemes and assignments.
In addition, Fairchild is an excellent pull blocker. His quickness and ability to move in space allow him to excel when pulling in counter and sweep plays. This adaptability makes him an asset in both inside and outside zone running schemes.
3. Lateral Mobility
While Fairchild is a large player, he possesses impressive lateral mobility for his size. He can get to the second level of the defense with ease and is effective in blocking linebackers in both the run and passing game. His lateral quickness also allows him to handle defensive tackles that attempt to swim or spin past him. He is adept at recognizing stunts and twists in pass protection, reacting quickly to switch off assignments when necessary.
4. Pass Protection
Fairchild has consistently demonstrated excellent pass protection skills throughout his career at Georgia. He has a solid base and excellent footwork, which allows him to stay balanced and prevent defenders from exploiting his position. His punch at the line of scrimmage is quick and powerful, which helps him redirect defensive linemen before they can generate momentum for a pass rush.
In addition, Fairchild has shown the ability to anchor against both power and speed rushers. While he isn’t the quickest offensive lineman on the field, he has the necessary technique to stop pass rushers from getting around him or through him.
Areas for Improvement
1. Hand Placement and Technique
While Fairchild is strong and powerful, there are moments when his hand placement can become inconsistent. He sometimes allows defenders to get into his body and prevent him from controlling the engagement. Improving his hand placement and keeping defenders at arm’s length will help him avoid unnecessary struggles against defenders who are more technically sound.
Fairchild can benefit from working on his punch timing and ensuring that his hands are always in the right position when making contact with defenders. Developing more refined hand techniques will help him avoid defenders getting into his chest and make him more effective at controlling the line of scrimmage.
2. Stamina and Conditioning
Though Fairchild’s power is a strength, he sometimes struggles with stamina, particularly late in games when his energy wanes. His size and power can be a double-edged sword, as they put significant strain on his endurance. If he is to succeed at the NFL level, Fairchild will need to improve his conditioning, particularly in longer games, and focus on maintaining his power and mobility late in contests.
3. Finishing Blocks
Fairchild’s power and strength often allow him to start blocks well, but he can sometimes struggle to finish them. He tends to let defenders disengage when he doesn’t sustain his initial momentum. At the next level, NFL defenders are more skilled at disengaging and countering, so Fairchild must focus on driving defenders to the ground and maintaining his blocks through the whistle.
4. Consistency in Pass Protection
While he is an effective pass protector overall, Fairchild can occasionally be caught flat-footed or off-balance in pass protection. He must work on keeping his base wide and maintaining a lower center of gravity to prevent defensive linemen from getting around him or pushing him backward into the quarterback. Ensuring that his upper body and lower body work in harmony will help him maintain better leverage.
NFL Projection
Dylan Fairchild has the size, strength, and athleticism to be an immediate contributor at the NFL level. He is a versatile guard who can also play tackle and center, and his ability to excel in both the run and pass game makes him a well-rounded prospect. With some improvements in his technique, particularly in hand placement and conditioning, Fairchild could become one of the top offensive linemen in the league.
Fairchild’s ideal fit at the next level is likely as a starting guard in a power or zone-based running system, where his strength and mobility can be maximized. Teams that run an inside zone scheme will benefit from his ability to move laterally and his power at the point of attack. Additionally, his skills in pass protection will allow him to step in and contribute right away, though he may need some refinement to become a consistent high-level pass protector.
Given his physical traits, potential for improvement, and versatility, Fairchild is expected to be drafted in the first or second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He could be selected as high as a late first-round pick for a team looking to upgrade its interior offensive line or as an early second-rounder for a squad seeking a plug-and-play starter.
Final Thoughts
Dylan Fairchild’s combination of size, strength, and athleticism makes him one of the most intriguing interior offensive line prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. His ability to dominate in the running game and provide solid pass protection gives him a high ceiling at the next level. If he can refine his technique, improve his stamina, and sustain his blocks for longer stretches, Fairchild could develop into a cornerstone offensive lineman for any NFL team. With the right coaching, his potential to become a Pro Bowl-caliber player is very much within reach.