OL Daniel Faalele weighs in at 384 pounds at NFL Draft Combine
Mar 4, 2022, 8:57 AM
The last time we here in the desert checked in on Daniel Faalele, he was meandering into the end zone at Chase Field during a Minnesota win in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
Meandering, because a near-400-pound offensive tackle does not feel much resistance when he takes a handoff as a fullback and pushes a pile just two yards forward.
Faalele, whose usual job is at right tackle, is a legitimate pro draft prospect, and he weighed in Friday during the NFL Combine at 384 pounds. According to ESPN’s Daniel Jeremiah, it’s the largest weigh-in since 2003, when the combine became a more public, media-driven affair.
Faalele is still trying to cut that weight after joining Minnesota as a 426-pounder.
His other measurements on Friday were unique as a package: 6-foot-8 in height with 35 1/8-inch arms and an 85 1/8-inch wingspan.
The wingspan is also notable on such a giant human being doing things everyone else at the combine is doing.
Daniel Faalele's arms are so long that he went to rack the bar only to go over the top of the bench.
Vikings strength coach, "I ain't ever seen that."
— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) March 4, 2022
Daniel Faalele with the bench. Big boy with long arms it seems based on watching the height of the bar pic.twitter.com/2GvUhxfqKF
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) March 4, 2022
Faalele put up 24 reps on the bench press.
As for his football skills, he will have to fight unique challenges presented because of his size.
“The biggest challenge is always pad level. I can always get lower,” Faalele told reporters at the combine. “The main thing they were talking about is pad level, and just taking better angles to the second level.
“I feel like I definitely have a lot to show and I have room to grow,” he added. “I feel like that’s the exciting thing about me. I have a lot more potential to reach.”