Jamaree Salyer confident in ability to play anywhere on the offensive line
Most consider Jamaree Salyer to be an interior offensive lineman at the next level. Out of Pace Academy, Salyer, a five-star in the 2018 recruiting class, was ranked the No. 1 interior offensive lineman for his cycle. However, the majority of his time at Georgia was spent on the outside. That was mostly out of the Bulldogs’ necessity, but Salyer believes it can translate over as he makes the jump to the professional ranks.
“I’ve gotten questions about all five positions,” Salyer told media members during his session at the NFL Combine on Thursday. “I know everybody likes to kind of put me in that box as an inside guy because of ‘lack of athleticism,’ but I’ve played in the SEC for four years, a good four years, and I think I’ve only given up two sacks to good players.”
“Anytime my number was called on to do my job, I was there. I did it. I competed at the highest level I could,” he continued. “I think it’s interesting that people like to say that, knock on my athleticism. But, it is what it is.”
That type of versatility is something you’ll see as a theme among several Georgia players at the combine. The Bulldogs put a premium on cross-training which means that players are getting reps at more than just one position.
“I look at it as you’re developing two positions when you’re here at any position,” Smart said during the 2021 season. “If you’re a guard, you’re developing as a center too. If you’re a tackle you might be developing as a guard or center. If you’re a back, you’re going to develop as a wideout because you play in space. If you’re a wideout, you’re going to develop as a slot. Everybody has two homes because we want to develop you where you become better and not specialize.”
That approach has certainly paid off in the case of Salyer. He started 22 games at tackle for Georgia over the last three years including 20 during his junior and senior campaigns. Salyer was named a Second-Team All-American according to Walter Camp and an All-SEC player by both the Associated Press and coaches.
That versatility isn’t just something Salyer boasts about. NFL coaches have noticed it too. Detroit Lions’ offensive line coach Hank Fraley worked with Salyer at the Senior Bowl and praised his ability.
“I showed a lot of versatility, and a lot of people have talked to me about how they enjoyed watching that,” Salyer said. “They enjoyed how physical I was there and just enjoyed watching me play. I know talking to Coach Fraley from the Detroit Lions, he talked about how versatile I was. He felt if he drafted me, he wouldn’t have a problem with me understanding the playbook or anything like that. I definitely enjoyed my time there learning from him, learning from that awesome staff. They did a great job coaching me.”
“I just want to become a more well rounded player,” he continued when asked what he’s working on. “Be able to show my true versatility. I’ve been working on snapping a lot. A lot of teams want to make sure they’ve got a center in me. I know they’ve got a center in me. I practiced center every single day in practice. I snap all the time. So for me, it’s just one of those things that I know is a good thing in my tool bag. Being a well rounded player in that regard, showing my true versatility, being a smarter football player, that’s something that’s going to be required at the next level, especially as a center if that opportunity presents itself.”
Salyer has met with teams like the Arizona Cardinals and defending AFC champions the Cincinnati Bengals among others. He doesn’t plan to do all of the on-field workouts Friday at the Combine, instead choosing to save them for Georgia’s Pro Day on March 16th. One he does intend on doing though, and has put recent efforts into, has been bench press where Salyer is shooting for “north of 30” reps. Recent mock drafts have Salyer off the board on the second day with the NFL Mock Draft Database projecting him as a second-round pick.
Nick Roush of KSR contributed to this report.
