2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jonah Savaiinaea

Strengths:

• Outstanding versatility, with experience playing both guard and tackle.
• He is best suited for right guard but has enough length and athleticism to play right tackle if needed.
• His powerful frame allows him to anchor effectively against power rushers.
• Exceptional hand technique, including a devastating punch and refined snatch and trap technique.
• Uses his hands independently with precision, making him an effective pass protector.
• His outstanding length (nearly 35-inch arms) allows him to keep defenders out of his chest.
• Elite grip strength—once he latches onto a defender, disengagement becomes almost impossible.
• Savaiinaea thrives in space as a run blocker, showing the ability to reach the second level and execute blocks effectively.
• High football IQ, with a strong understanding of defensive line movements, stunts, and twists.
• He provides a high floor as a pass protector, making him a reliable presence on the offensive line.

Weaknesses:

• Somewhat limited athletically but still has enough athleticism to play tackle.
• He lacks elite hip flexibility, which can hinder his ability to mirror twitchy rushers.
• Short legs limit his ability to consistently handle speed off the edge.
• Savaiinaea struggles more when playing on the left side, where his stiffness becomes more apparent.
• His balance and kick slide efficiency are less effective on the left side.
• Movement skills are functional but not the smoothest, which may limit his effectiveness in certain blocking schemes.
• Best utilized as a right guard in the NFL, though he can provide spot duty at right tackle if necessary.
• Savaiinaea is not a dominant people mover despite his incredible size.

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Jonah Savaiinaea

Savaiinaea’s game is built on his outstanding versatility, as he has proven capable of playing both guard and tackle positions. While his best fit is at right guard, his length and adequate athleticism make him a viable option at right tackle if necessary. He possesses a powerful frame at 6'4" and 339 pounds, with nearly 35-inch arms that allow him to anchor against power rushers effectively. His hand technique stands out, employing a devastating punch and refined snatch-and-trap technique to neutralize defenders. He works his hands independently and with precision, which makes him an effective pass protector. Furthermore, his grip strength is elite—once he gets hold of a defender, disengagement becomes nearly impossible.

In the run game, Savaiinaea excels in open space, demonstrating a strong ability to reach the second level and execute blocks effectively while on the move. He thrives in outside zone concepts, consistently reaching his landmarks and sealing defenders. His grasp of defensive line movements, stunts, and twists showcases his high football IQ, enabling him to react quickly and adjust to defensive shifts effortlessly. His well-rounded skill set provides a high floor as a pass protector, establishing him as a dependable presence on the offensive line.

Although some scouting reports suggest that Savaiinaea is athletically limited, this evaluation is somewhat exaggerated. While he lacks elite hip flexibility and isn’t the most fluid mover, he still possesses adequate lateral quickness and foot speed to be effective, particularly on the right side. However, when playing on the left, his stiffness becomes more noticeable, impairing his balance and ability to cover ground efficiently in his kick slide.

His movement skills, while functional, don’t always appear smooth, which could limit his effectiveness in schemes requiring significant lateral movement. Additionally, his play style and comfort level are much better suited to the right side of the offensive line, as he has demonstrated noticeable struggles when playing on the left. These minor limitations indicate that he is best utilized as a right guard in the NFL, although he can provide spot duty at right tackle if needed.

Savaiinaea strongly reminds me of current Bears right tackle Darnell Wright. When Wright entered the draft, many speculated about moving him inside to guard because he didn’t fit the conventional mold of an NFL tackle. However, he had all the necessary traits to succeed on the outside and has proven himself in that position. While Savaiinaea isn’t quite as polished a prospect as Wright was, the overall sentiment remains the same—I believe he has the potential to play right tackle in the NFL.

For the Bears, who already have Wright anchoring the right tackle position, Savaiinaea would be an excellent fit at right guard, helping to solidify a young and talented right side of the offensive line. With uncertainty surrounding the Bears’ run scheme for 2024, the priority should simply be selecting quality football players, and Savaiinaea certainly fits that description. He is a versatile prospect capable of excelling in multiple schemes, though his skill set is best suited for an inside zone system with gap concepts. This would enable him to leverage his athleticism to reach the second level and pull effectively in space.

NFL Comparison: Cody Ford