Ryan Baer

NFL Draft Profile: Ryan Baer

Position: Offensive Tackle (RT/LT) | School: Pittsburgh | Class: Redshirt Junior

Height: 6'7" | Weight: 325 lbs | Archetype: Run Blocker (Road Grader)

College Career Summary

Ryan Baer is a prototypical "mountain of a man" from the offensive line factory that is Pitt football. A highly touted four-star recruit from Ohio, Baer lived up to the hype by showing immediate versatility. After redshirting in 2022, he became a "Swiss Army Knife" for the Panthers, making starts at both Right and Left Tackle.

His 2024 season was his true breakout, starting all 13 games and earning PFF ACC Team of the Week honors for his clinical performance against Syracuse. In the 2025 season, Baer was the focal point of the Pitt offensive line. While he occasionally struggled with elite ACC speed rushers, his ability to sustain blocks and finish in the run game made him one of the most feared blockers in the conference. He enters the NFL conversation as a high-floor prospect with the frame and "nasty" playstyle that pro coaches covet.

Career Stats & Highlights

• Career Starts: 34 (Starting every game in 2024 and 2025)

• 2025 Sacks Allowed: 3.5

• 2025 Pressures Allowed: 18

• Pancakes: ~48 (2025 Season)

• Holding Penalties: 3 (2025)

• Honors: 2024 PFF All-ACC Honorable Mention; 2025 Senior Bowl Watchlist.

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Kent State	A	Dominated physically; paved the way for a 200+ yard rushing day.
2	@ Cincinnati	B+	Handled interior stunts well; 0 sacks allowed.
3	vs West Virginia	A-	The Apex. Dominant in the Backyard Brawl; recorded 6 pancakes.
5	vs North Carolina	B	Solid performance; allowed 2 hurries against a twitchy edge.
6	vs Cal	B+	Textbook road-grading; cleared huge lanes for the ground game.
7	@ Syracuse	A-	Repeated his 2024 success; erased the Orange's best pass rusher.
8	vs Clemson	C+	Worst Game. Struggled with Clemson's elite speed; gave up 1.5 sacks.
10	vs Virginia	B+	Clean sheet in pass pro; 88% coaching grade.
11	@ Stanford	B	Solid outing; physical at the point of attack.
12	vs Notre Dame	B-	High-level battle; surrendered 1 sack on a late speed-to-power move.
13	@ Georgia Tech	A-	Rebounded well; dominant second-level climber.
14	vs Miami	B	Fought hard against a Top-10 front; 0 penalties in a loud environment.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Leadership: Plus; a quiet leader who leads by example with his work ethic.

• Mental Toughness: High; successfully switched from RT to LT mid-season in 2024 with zero drop-off.

• Competitor: Elite. Plays with a "bully" mentality; looks to bury defenders.

• Team Player: Known for his versatility; will play wherever the team needs him.

• Star: Moderate; his impact is felt in the run game's success rather than flashy stats.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 91/100

• Height/Weight: 6'7", 325 lbs. (Exceeds both 6'5 and 315lb benchmarks).

• Stamina: Good; carries his massive frame exceptionally well for 4 quarters.

• Durability: Elite. Hasn't missed a start in two full seasons.

• Injury History: Medically clean.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 85/100

• Run Block: Elite. A "road grader" who uses his massive wingspan to latch and drive.

• Pass Block: Average; his biggest area of concern against high-end NFL speed.

• Strength: Plus; "Pitt Strength" is real; anchors effectively against bull rushes.

• Technique: High; very well-schooled hands; rarely gets "out-leveraged" despite his height.

• High Motor: Constant; a "search and destroy" player on screen passes.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 72/100

• Speed: Low; lacks the vertical speed to be a premier pulling tackle.

• Agility: Moderate; lateral mirroring is his main struggle against speed rushers.

• Flexibility: Average; can play "stiff" at times, causing him to waist-bend.

• Acceleration: Good; heavy first step that generates immediate displacement.

• Footwork: Clean; efficient steps, but lacks the "suddenness" of elite prospects.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 90/100

• Awareness: Plus; processes stunts and blitzes at a high level.

Scouting Report

• Strengths: Prototypical NFL "Tackle" frame; elite displacement power in the run game; high-level experience at both tackle spots; powerful initial punch that can stun interior defenders.

• Weaknesses: Lateral Range. Elite "bend" off the edge can cause him to over-set and lose inside; High Pad Level. At 6'7", he naturally plays high, which can be exploited by shorter, powerful rushers; recovery speed is only average.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal for a Power/Gap or Inside Zone system (e.g., Titans, Ravens, Lions).

• NFL Comparison: Jon Dietzen / Robert Havenstein.

Scout's Final Word

"Ryan Baer is a classic Pitt 'Mauler.' He won't be the most athletic tackle at the combine, but his tape shows a player who understands leverage and violence. While his struggles against Clemson speed are a red flag for a future Left Tackle, he has 'Day 1 Starter' written all over him at Right Tackle. He is a high-floor prospect who will immediately improve a team's short-yardage and goal-line efficiency. Draft Projection: 3rd - 4th Round."