Bernhard Raimann Scouting Report and NFL Draft Profile

 

Offensive Tackle, Central Michigan Chippewas #76

 

Bernhard Raimann Measurements

6’7” / 305 lbs

40 time: 5.2 (estimate)

 

Bernhard Raimann NFL Draft Player Profile

Raimann was originally born and raised in Steinbrunn, Austria. He came to the United States as a foreign exchange student. Once here he attended Delton-Kellogg High School, where he lettered in football, wrestling and track and field. Raimann also graduated with a 3.8 grade point average.

On the football field, Bernhard originally played and was recruited as a tight end. In 2015, he helped his team to an 8-4 record. That season the Panthers would also make the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Raimann would eventually be ranked #50 on the Detroit Free Press Fab 50 list, and 247Sports would give him a two-star rating as a senior.

Raimann would eventually commit to Central Michigan. During his freshman and sophomore seasons he would continue to play tight end. Over the two seasons, he would play in all 26 games (making 11 starts) catching 20 passes for 164 yards. Between his sophomore and junior season, Bernhard would add on 50 pounds and make the transition from tight end to left tackle. He would start all six games in 2020 for the Chippewas. Afterwards he was named All-MAC fourth team by Phil Steele and honorable mention All-MAC by Pro Football Focus.

This season Raimann once again held down the left tackle starting role. Central Michigan finished the season 8-4, tied for 1^st in the MAC West Division with eventual champion Northern Illinois. Raimann also helped lead the way for Lew Nichols. The talented running back that led the nation with 1,710 yards rushing.

Once the season was over, the awards have come flooding in. Naturally, he was named first team All-MAC. Just recently, he was named to the Sporting News All-American second team. This followed PFF All-American nomination as well as their MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Let’s not forget that he was also named to the Senior Bowl All-American team. Raimann will compete in the Senior Bowl, along with teammate Luke Goedeke on February 5, 2022.

 

Off Field Accolades

While playing at a high level on the football field, Bernhard was still taking care of business in the classroom. He was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District team. This also makes him eligible for a potential Academic All-American nomination. Raimann recently earned a bachelor degree with a double major in actuarial science and statistics. He kept a 3.8 grade point average while doing so. Now he’s focused on earning a Master’s of Science in Administration.

 

Bernhard Raimann Strengths

 

Athletic

I was shocked when I first learned that Raimann started off as a tight end. Of course, it makes more sense after learning that he put on 50 pounds to transition to tackle. But watching him run around the field making blocks, you can see it. He’s smooth as he gets out wide on end arounds and while getting up to the second level. He doesn’t have any issues navigating high traffic areas. I feel like so many lineman Raimann’s size are more lumbering down the field. That’s not the case with Bernhard. He is a terrific athlete.

 

Solid in both Pass and Run Blocking

This looks strange being listed under an offensive lineman as a strength. Of course an NFL Draft hopeful is going to be solid as a pass and run blocker. It is their job after all. I choose to focus on this because of how little Raimann has actually played the position. I’ve seen players that have been a tackle from pee-wee football all the way through college that have struggled with one or the other. Raimann, on the other hand, has been at it for only two full seasons. In that short time frame, he looks like he belongs. I watched him against both Missouri and LSU, and at no point did he look overmatched. I can only imagine what he’ll turn into if he gets on a team with a quality offensive line coach.

Bernhard Raimann Weaknesses

Awareness

Even though I like most of what I saw from Raimann, there were still occasions where you saw how raw of a talent is was. At times he wouldn’t read the defense correctly. This would lead to him missing where the blitz was coming from. This also happened a few times in the running game. He would run right past a defender that would end up making a stop. He’d be five yards downfield looking for someone to block in the meantime.

Gets Too Upright

For a guy that’s 6’7”, this is understandable. It’s hard not to let a smaller defender get under you and cause you to lose leverage. This is something that is easily fixable with a little more time at the position and some coaching. But when you’re looking for anything to differentiate prospects, these are the types of things that come into play.

Bernhard Raimann Draft Stock

Raimann was on the radar of teams and experts to start the season. The Senior Bowl had him on their watchlist at the beginning of the season. But, his play during the season has taken him from draft asset to potentially hearing his name during Day 1 of the draft. According to NFL Mock Draft Database, 6% of mocks they’ve seen include Raimann as a first round pick. ESPN has him listed as their #34 rated draft prospect. CBSSports has him listed as #37.

Final Thoughts on Bernhard Raimann

I really liked what I saw from Raimann. He already looks like a solid prospect, but he still has so much room to grow. That’s crazy, and a little scary, to think about. Currently I’m in line with most of the big media experts. I think he’s easily a second round pick that’s borderline first round material. I like him way more than Nicholas Petit-Frere, who other outlets rate as a first round pick but I don’t think as highly of. I’m looking forward to more people getting a chance to see Raimann at the Senior Bowl as well as the NFL combine.

Bernhard Raimann Pro Comparison: Alejandro Villanueva

Villenueva was a 6’9” wide receiver during his time at West Point. After serving his time with the United States Army he would eventually find a home with the Steelers and transition over to left tackle. Villanueva eventually became a staple along the offensive line in Pittsburgh before signing with the Ravens this past offseason. Luckily for Raimann, he got his growing pains out of the way at Central Michigan and should be able to contribute to his future team a little quicker than Alejandro. Still, the size, athleticism, and transition make these two comparable.

Bernhard Raimann Draft Prospect Report / Scouting Report by Brandon Claburn