Javon Foster, OT Missouri: 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Foster was a three-star recruit from West Bloomfield High School in West Bloomfield, Mich. in the class of 2018

Missouri Tigers left tackle Javon Foster is returning for his sixth year with the program. Foster earned some top 100 hype in recent seasons, but his stock for the 2024 NFL Draft isn’t high.

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Javon Foster, OT Missouri: 2024 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Sixth-year graduate student left tackle from Detroit, Mich.

Background: Foster was a three-star recruit from West Bloomfield High School in West Bloomfield, Mich. in the class of 2018. He was the No. 1,528 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 1,390 for On3.com. Foster was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 75 grade out of 100. He originally committed to Central Michigan before flipping to Missouri.

Injuries & Off-Field: N/A

Awards: 2018-19 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll, 2019 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll, 2020 SEC Academic Honor Roll

Pros: Experience at left and right tackle, will meet arm length thresholds, consistent slide technique, identifies and passes off stunts, sufficient anchor, some knockback power in his upper body, strength to collapse the defensive line, drives defenders off the ball in the run game, generates push at the point of attack, some success on stretch concepts for zone runs, some success climbing to the second level for blocks

Cons: Eleven penalties committed over the past two years, high-hipped, high pad level with poor leverage, struggles to stop his momentum and change directions, foot speed, allows defenders into his chest, punches are mistimed, punches too early which eliminates any power from his hands, chest gets over his toes in pass pro, lunges and leans in pass pro which makes him unbalanced, vulnerable to speed to power because of pad level, speed rushers challenge him up the arc, struggles to mirror smaller pass rushers, struggles to sustain blocks at all levels, needs to refit hands to sustain blocks, lacks the speed and agility to land blocks in space

Overview: Foster has experience playing left and right tackle for the Tigers but primarily lines up on the left side. He has good arm length and a consistent slide technique to get out of his stance. Foster identifies and passes off or accepts stunts. He has a sufficient but not great anchor. The sixth-year tackle really shines in the power-based aspects of his game. His hands pack knockback power, and he’s strong enough to collapse the defense line. Foster drives defenders off the line at the point of attack and has some success stringing out blocks on stretch concepts. There are also some examples of him climbing to the second level and landing blocks on inside run concepts. However, Foster usually lacks the speed and agility to land blocks in space. He’s a bad fit for outside zone schemes. The former three-star recruit is high-hipped and surrenders all leverage with his high pad level. His foot speed is subpar, which contributes to his movement struggles. Foster takes time to halt his momentum and change directions. He’s also tested and beaten by speed rushers up the arc. Foster allows defenders into his chest because of his inconsistent hand usage and mistimed punches. He doesn’t refit or replace his hands fast enough to deliver counter punches once defenders get into his pads. This also affects his ability to sustain blocks. The Michigan native’s chest gets over his toes in pass protection. He lunges and leans in pass protection, becoming unbalanced and stumbling. Foster is vulnerable to speed to power because of his high pad level and poor hand usage. He lacks the agility to mirror smaller, more explosive pass rushers.

Overall, Foster is a people mover in the run game and has a powerful upper body, but his limited agility, change of direction skills, leverage, and foot speed make him an inconsistent pass protector. Foster needs significant technical development in his hand usage and timing to overcome his physical limitations.  

Role & Scheme Fit: Left tackle in an inside zone scheme

Round Projection: Sixth Round

Size: 6'5", 319 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 04-06-23