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2021 NFL Draft Profile: New Mexico OL Teton Saltes
Lobos lineman has a chance
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Will Saltes get drafted?
Teton Saltes signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent.
Former New Mexico Lobo Offensive lineman Teton Saltes had an impressive Pro Day at UNM on March 11th, changing his diet, training and it showed remarkable results for the pro scouts on hand.
He ran a very impressive 40-yard dash in 4.94 seconds, very fast for a guy 6’6 312 lbs. That time ranked him fourth among lineman at the 2021 at the NFL Combine.
He caught the eye of the scouts on hand, San Francisco, Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins.
Strengths:
He has been a three-year starter at tackle for the Lobos but is expected or projected to play guard at the next level. Very coachable and patient explosive blocker with the ideal frame, physique, and weight for the NFL. Excellent movement off the ball after the snap-in pass protection and as a run blocker. Strong and naturally gifted body, arms, and hands.
2020 Wuerffel Trophy *Winner*
2019 Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist
2020 Outland Trophy Watch List
2020 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Captain
2-time All-Mountain West Honorable Mention
2-time All-Mountain West Academic
He has a considerable upside for any program, very mature above his years and you get that just talking to him. Excellent quickness for his size, long arms, very powerful base, and could be a diamond in the rough for the team that picks him. Very good at keeping his blocking assignments to finishing the play-off opponents to the end of the play.
Weaknesses: Can at times stop his feet after contact relying on brute strength, allowing a defender to spin inside; this could be as he needs to sink his backside at the line of scrimmage more and be more of a natural knee bender.
He has to stay focused and disciplined at times in space and have a stronger finish at the end of plays. Can sometimes beat of the edge with quick pass rushers reaching for blocks.
https://twitter.com/MathBomb/status/1379096489914474499
Danny Gonzales, head Coach at UNM Football: “Teton is a tremendous young man who has dedicated himself to speaking out on behalf of children, suicide prevention, and many other causes. Teton’s work in Albuquerque, in South Dakota with his native Oglala Lakota tribe, along with the work he has done advocating for children in Washington is to be commended.
“Teton is a model student-athlete. Despite law school and postgraduate obligations and performing at a nationally recognized level, Teton during the season was still actively involved in many of the causes that are close to him, and he did this despite playing on the first team in FBS history to play its entire season out of state. He is a special student-athlete and I’m glad I have been able to coach him and I’m glad he is a great Lobo for life.”
Derek Warehime Offensive Coordinator UNM Football: “Teton is a very intelligent & talented football player. He has the ability to play both guard & tackle at the next level. We are thankful to have had the opportunity to coach him”
Analysis: Teton Saltes has the God-given body & skills to be the diamond in the rough for the right team; he has NFL size and movement skills to develop into a zone-blocking guard in the NFL and has to refine his game to handle NFL rushers.
That being said, he has a huge upsize for any NFL team, is very teachable, and athletic God-given size, speed, and strength.
More than likely projected to go mid-late rounds in the draft. At the very least, he could be making an NFL practice squad and that will more than likely open the door to be playing on Sunday in front of millions of NFL fans.
He ran a 4.94 in 40 at UNM Pro Day which is moving for his size 6’6 312 Lb Vertical jump: 30 1/2″ Broad jump: 8′ 9″ 22 reps for bench press (225 lbs)
His social work off the field for Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in the South Dakota Badlands, Saltes spoke with the U.S. Conference in 2019 as a student ambassador for the Save the Children Advocacy Network is a huge plus.
Teton has a fantastic inspirational story, and this is just the beginning of the impact of his very young life as he pursues his God-given purpose. He is very proud of his rich heritage; his mother is from the Lakota tribe, and his father is African American. Meeting him, he is very articulate and impressive and deep with a conviction for the less fortunate in life.
It is so refreshing to find a young man of his size, stature, and position with a heart to help the less fortunate, the socially disadvantaged in minority communities. Any NFL team would be proud to have this young man on their roster.
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