4/140. Zach Tom, C, Wake Forest (4, 6): As a fourth-round draft choice, barring injury Tom will make the team. His five-position versatility should keep him in the league for a good spell, but whether he’s good enough to start is the question.
After starting at center in 2019, Tom (6-4, 307, 4.95) made a seamless transition to left tackle the past two years. Some scouts rave about his athletic ability, with one insisting he was the most athletic of all the offensive linemen.
He was compared by one evaluator to Kelvin Beachum (6-3, 303, 5.39), the Steelers’ seventh-round draft choice from Southern Methodist in 2012. Beachum started at left tackle for four years at SMU and, in a career now entering its 11th year, has made 130 starts primarily at left tackle for four different teams.
Besides his athleticism, those that like Tom cite his advanced hand placement and footwork, his understated manner of leadership and his overall flexibility. A few evaluators opined that he could play tackle. Others think he’s a center only.
Tom’s detractors don’t like his strength and think he’s going to get knocked around. They say there’s no way he’s powerful enough to play tackle or guard, and maybe not center. One said Garrett Bradbury, the Vikings’ undersized, disappointing first-round center, was a much better player in the Atlantic Coast Conference (North Carolina State) than was Tom.
How does Tom stack up with Josh Myers (6-5, 310), the Packers’ second-year center? Tom tested better but Myers is the stronger, more tenacious player, according to one scout.