Keylan Rutledge

The Player

Rutledge is a fiery competitor with good size, an impressive athletic profile and a lot of experience. He’s a versatile run blocker who displays excellent footwork and angles in the zone run game. He washes defensive linemen down the line, and he gets vertical push once he’s in position. He makes sure his center and tackle can play onto defensive tackles before working up to the second level on inside zone runs. He’s quick enough to scoop backside defensive tackles and cut off backside linebackers on outside zone runs.   

He fires off the ball and flashes good finishing power as a drive blocker. He can drive defensive linemen into linebackers on combination blocks. He moves well when he pulls, and he traps. He buries defenders and can knock them to the ground with a powerful punch when he gets into space. He recognizes and adjusts to late movement in the run game.

He has a tendency to narrow his base and lean, so he falls off some blocks and stalls out at times. He has the traits to improve as a pass blocker. He had the quickest short shuttle time of all the offensive linemen at the combine, has average arm length, and a good frame. He anchors well for the most part. He’s tough to beat when he wins with his hands. He needs to improve the timing and accuracy of his punch. He grabs and holds when he starts to lose. His footwork is inconsistent and he loses inside-out leverage. He played well at the Senior Bowl and had an impressive combine workout. His 40 time and short shuttle time are outstanding for an interior offensive lineman. 

He started 26 games at right guard for Georgia Tech over the past two seasons. Before that, he started 17 games in two seasons at Middle Tennessee. He was a two-time all-state basketball player in high school, notching over 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 points. 

The Draft 

Rutledge is a top-five guard and a top-100 pick in the 2026 class. A Georgia Tech offensive lineman hasn’t been drafted since the Patriots selected Shaq Mason in the fourth round in 2015, and a Georgia Tech offensive lineman hasn’t been a top-100 pick since Michael Cheever in 1996. 

The Projection

Rutledge has the skill set to develop into a starter early in his career, and he compares well to Steelers right guard Mason McCormick. Both are physical maulers who tested well at their respective combines but hadn’t reached their potential in college despite playing a lot of games.