Billy Schrauth Draft Profile: High-Floor Projection Despite Injury History
- Noah Wehby
- 2 minutes ago
- 4 min read
While Billy Schrauth's playing seasons were marked by a couple of serious injuries, his time on the field showed why he could be a serviceable piece to an NFL offensive line.
Billy Schrauth is not considered to be anywhere near one of the top offensive line prospects, but he does possess the capability to be a solid player with his strong pass protection and some work to do in the run game. As a guard, Schrauth could come in and immediately offer some decent depth for any team that drafts him, which is valuable for a projected day-three pick. With that said, how far he waits to hear his name will likely come down to his injury history and if teams think his weaknesses are fixable.
During his time in South Bend, Schrauth found playing time early as a freshman. In mostly a backup role, Schrauth was still able to log valuable minutes early in his career. Just one year later, Schrauth earned his way into the starting lineup on a team that played for a National Championship in 2024. While he did finish the season, he did miss a chunk of the season as the result of a sprained ankle he suffered in a blowout against Purdue. Even with the missed time, Schrauth proved he was a high-level starter for a great team. In 2025, he continued to show off his tough, rugged, and consistent play style, as Notre Dame's offensive line routinely mauled opposing defenses. In the offensive line's best game against USC, Schrauth's toughness was put to the ultimate test when he suffered a knee sprain. Despite the sprain, Schrauth finished the game, but he would be sidelined for multiple games. Although his season did not go the way he probably expected, it was another data point for the consistency of Schrauth's game.
Like any prospect, there are highs and lows to Schrauth's playstyle and skillset. Despite his lighter frame for a guard in the NFL, he does possess excellent strength. Throughout his years in college, he showed time and time again that if he gets his hands on a defender, he can move them. The problem is, he does not always use his hands well, which is something NFL teams will have to correct. The biggest strength of his game is his excellent pass protection. In 2025, he did not allow a single sack, which will be very attractive to any NFL team. In the NFL, it is becoming increasingly more common for pass-rushers to slide inside to generate pressure from the interior. In that case, Schrauth could be a valuable asset. To go along with his pass-blocking, Schrauth also has great versatility and football IQ. At Notre Dame, he played at both left and right guard, displaying his ability to adapt and provide depth at multiple positions. This is a direct result of his high football IQ. Schrauth shows a true understanding of blocking schemes, situational football, and as a team captain, pre-snap communication. When looking at his weaknesses, a lot of it revolves around his footwork and agility, mainly in the run game. Although strong, he can sometimes struggle to change direction and set his feet to make the correct block. NFL teams will have to judge if that is a technique or athleticism concern. If it is technique, teams can likely fix that problem. If it is athleticism, then there may be cause for more concern regarding Schrauth's overall quickness.
Best Fits
Round 4, Pick 126: Buffalo Bills
The Bills would be the perfect fit for Schrauth. Picking right in the range of his projection, the Bills are in some need of guard depth. While not needing a day-one starter, they do have holes in their depth chart that Schrauth could fill, offering not only depth, but also a player with some high-floor potential. The Bills are towards the top of the league in pass attempts per game, meaning their offensive line is often in pass-protection. This bodes well for Schrauth, as pass-blocking is his biggest strength as a guard. Josh Allen is an MVP type of player but was beaten up a lot last year. It is time for the Bills to continue to sure up ways to protect him.
Round 4, Pick 101: Tennessee Titans
Much like the Bills, the Titans are also in some need of guard depth. Last season, the Titans ranked 24th in offensive line PFF grades. As one of the bottom units in league in that category, it is crucial the Titans continue to rebuild their line. With their rookie QB Cam Ward, there is some new optimism in Nashville that they have a bright future. With that bright future, they also must protect him, which they did not do a very good job of in 2025. With Schrauth's strengths, he could be a solid player for them as a depth piece.
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