Emmanuel Pregnon has something in common with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. They both played football for the University of Wyoming.
Pregnon was an unranked recruit coming out of high school in Denver, Colorado where he played on both sides of the line. He went to Wyoming but didn't play at all during his first two seasons in Laramie.
Finally, as a redshirt sophomore in 2022, Pregnon started 11 games and allowed just two sacks. Pro Football Focus ranked him the third best guard in the Mountain West Conference.
After that season, Pregnon transferred to the University of Southern California.
The 6'5", 318 pound Pregnon played two seasons for the Trojans and started 25 games at left guard. In 2024, he didn't give up a single sack in 882 offensive snaps. After that season, Pregnon changed his college address again, as he headed to the University of Oregon.
Pregnon started all 15 games(14 at left guard and one at right guard) last season for a Ducks team that made it all the way to the College Football Playoff semis. In 445 pass blocking opportunities, he gave up just one sack and five pressures. Pro Football Focus rated him number two among all Football Bowl Subdivision guards.
Pregnon was named All Big 10, All American and the Ducks offensive line was a finalist for the Joe Moore award which is given to the best O line unit in the nation.
Joe Marino provides draft analysis for WGR. His website is thejoemarino.com and you can subscribe to his Locked On Bills Podcast. Joe shares his thoughts on Pregnon.
Positives:
You really like the way this guy is slapped together, the body composition. He's got broad shoulders, he's thick throughout his frame, big hands, nothing sloppy about the build. He is just built different and he's a downhill mauler in the run game. He moves bodies out of the way. He's got that tone setting type presence about the way he gets after people and it's not just that he's competitive and aggressive.
He's got power throughout his frame to really maximize on that mindset that he has. Powerful hands. They're active. He's got really good grip strength. His anchor is firm. Nobody's going to go through this guy. He short sets and he maintains really consistent pocket depth. A power player with an awesome frame and a tenacious mindset.
Negatives:
I think his lateral movement skills are only average. So when these quicker rushers get to his edges, he's got to be careful to not create soft edges and pass protection. Trying to be a little lighter on his feet so he can stay square and not have to chase it a little bit. He does have an aggressive mindset, so that can occasionally lead to lunging and imbalance and falling off blocks. I wouldn't say reeling it in, because I think it's important for the way he plays, but making sure there's a controlled aggression so it doesn't lead to falling off of blocks and not sustaining for long enough.
The NFL draft will be held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
Interior offensive line is one area the Bills could address in the draft. Here is a look at one of the top prospects.
Interior offensive line is one area the Bills could address in the draft. Here is a look at one of the top prospects.
