Oregon center Alex Forsyth selected in seventh round of 2023 NFL Draft
The Denver Broncos selected former Oregon center Alex Forsyth with the 257th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday.
A three-year starter for the Ducks, Forsyth was named a second-team All-American by the Football Writers of America Association last winter and by Phil Steele. He was also a finalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award, given to the player in college football who best demonstrates an outstanding record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity, and sportsmanship.
In 2022, Forsyth played 805 offensive snaps, all at center. He finished his career having played 1,983 offensive snaps across five seasons at Oregon, including 1,892 at center.
Last season Forsyth led Oregon’s starters with an 85.8 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, which was fourth-best among all FBS centers and tied for 21st among all offensive linemen. He allowed just one pressure and zero sacks in 384 pass-blocking opportunities, according to PFF.
Forsyth was part of an Oregon offensive line that led the nation with just five sacks allowed. He finished the regular season with a blocking efficiency of 99.9% and surrendered just two quarterback pressures and no sacks all year, according to PFF.
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Forsyth was the sixth Oregon player selected during the 2023 NFL Draft. The New England Patriots selected cornerback Christian Gonzalez in the first round on Thursday and the Carolina Panthers selected EDGE DJ Johnson in the third round on Friday. On Saturday, the Chicago Bears selected linebacker Noah Sewell in the fifth round, the Baltimore Ravens selected offensive lineman Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu in the sixth round, and th Nw York Giants selected defensive lineman Jordon Riley in the seventh round.
Offensive linemen T.J. Bass and Ryan Walk, receiver Chase Cota, and defensive back Bennett Williams are among the former Ducks who will hope to land with NFL teams in the coming days.
What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Alex Forsyth
NFL.com‘s Lance Zierlein provided the following analysis of Forsyth:
“A steady center/guard option with good size and length, Forsyth plays with technique and consistency that offensive line coaches will appreciate,” Zierlein wrote. “He wasn’t asked to play with much range from home base but gets into his block with pop and is consistent in his effort to sustain and finish the assignment. He has some issues protecting the A-gaps at times, and the pre-snap penalties are a concern.
“Forsyth’s poor explosiveness testing at the NFL Scouting Combine could cause concerns for teams looking at him late on Day 3 of the draft.”
