2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Dominick Puni

Dominick Puni NFL Draft Profile

• College: Kansas
• College Position: OG / OT
• Ideal NFL Position: OG / OT
• Height/Weight: 6’5", 320 pounds
• Year / Age: Graduate / 23 (turns 24 in February 2025)
• Draft Projection: Top 100
• Where I’d Take Him: Top 125

Background

Coming out of Francis Howell High School in Saint Charles, Missouri, Dominick Puni was underrecruited, with no rating on 247Sports. Puni accepted his only listed offer at Central Missouri State. He spent four seasons at Central Missouri State, starting 16 of his 20 games played. However, he only played in one game from 2020 through 2021 due to COVID-19 (2020) and an undisclosed injury (2021). Before the 2022 season, Puni transferred to Kansas as an unranked recruit.

In 2022, Puni was named honorable mention All-Big 12 at left guard. In 2023, he didn't receive all-conference honors for his play at left tackle. Puni started all 25 of his games played for the Jayhawks with 849 snaps at left guard, 728 snaps at left tackle, and one snap at center.

According to PFF, Puni allowed eight pressures and zero sacks across 341 pass-blocking snaps in 2023. He allowed eight pressures and zero sacks on 442 pass-blocking snaps in 2022. Among 254 FBS tackles to play at least 500 snaps in 2023, Puni had the 11th-best overall PFF grade, the 28th-best run-blocking grade, and the third-best pass-blocking grade. Additionally, he ranked fifth in pass-block efficiency.

Strengths

• Large, wide frame with loose hips to swivel in front of defenders
• Smooth mover in space, laterally, and into second-level blocks
• Excellent puller with radar for second-level defenders
• High football IQ
• Uses his length well with patient hands in pass protection
• 33.75-inch arms give him the opportunity to stay at offensive tackle or kick inside to guard
• Replicates hands when reacting to pass-rush counters
• Understands angles well
• Footwork is much cleaner inside
• Has good play balance
• Looks sloppy but still finds ways to get the job done

Weaknesses

• Waist bender
• Pad level is too high
• Lacks the power to drive defenders and dictate direction
• Doesn't impose his will physically
• Narrows his base into contact
• Poor footwork saps away his power
• Allows defenders to dictate direction too easily
• Average athlete
• Slow hands let defenders into his chest too often
• Tends to be too patient to throw his hands

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Dominick Puni

There are a lot of traits to like in Dominick Puni's tape. Puni currently has a top-100 grade from our team. A lot stands to change still, and the NFL Combine will surely impact our rankings. At this point though, I consider him a developmental pick inside the top 125.

Puni's smooth athleticism in space and up to the second level should play well at either tackle or guard. He makes some high-IQ plays and has impressive contact balance to stay upright through awkward body positions. But his footwork will be a work in progress at tackle. When he's in space, his feet tend to get either narrow or way out of position. Those footwork issues limit his power profile, which is a little underwhelming to begin with. There is certainly a world where the issues are cleaned up, but it projects to be a developmental player for me, nonetheless.

Best case, I see Puni becoming an NFL-caliber starter for an NFL team. At the least, I see him being a depth interior offensive lineman who can fill in at guard or tackle but won't likely be vying for starting snaps. That versatility to play guard or tackle adds value to his profile. However, the lack of aggression and power could cause issues inside, while the footwork in space could lead to issues outside.

Puni could be a fit for the Chicago Bears early on Day 3. He's best suited for a lateral zone run scheme, which the Bears are likely to feature under new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Early in his career, Puni will likely serve in a developmental role with the opportunity to play a swing tackle or guard role as his career progresses. However, he could find himself drafted in the second half of Day 2. If the Bears go after the offensive line in the third round or later, I expect them to target more aggressive-natured and pro-ready prospects such as Beaux Limmer, Zak Zinter, or Layden Robinson.

Pro Comp: Max Scharping