WSU offensive lineman Joe Dahl drafted by Detroit in fifth round
Apr 30, 2016, 11:46 AM
Joe Dahl was first-team All-Pac-12 in his senior season as Washington State's left tackle. (AP)
(AP)
Joe Dahl, Washington State’s All-Pac-12 offensive lineman, is headed to Detroit after being selected in the fifth round with the 151st overall pick by the Lions.
The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Dahl was an important part of the pass-protection game for Mike Leach’s air-raid offense at WSU. He primarily played left tackle in his three years with the Cougars, all seasons in which they led the nation in passing attempts. They were first in the country in passing yards per game in both 2014 and 2015.
Dahl slid considerably from his projections, some of which had him being drafted as high as the second round. A broken foot that required surgery last November is suspected to be have been a factor in the slide.
A first-team All-Pac-12 selection as a senior, Dahl is known as an “intelligent, tough, athletic and fundamentally sound” blocker who was “superb at protecting the blind side” for quarterbacks Connor Holliday and Luke Falk, according to this scouting report.
Despite his experience at tackle, he will likely be moved inside to guard in the NFL because he lacks the size and length preferred on the outside in the pros.
A graduate of University High School in Spokane, Dahl transferred to WSU after spending his freshman season playing at Montana.
