Summary

Robert Hainsey was selected in the 3rd Round (#95 Overall) in the 2021 Draft out of Notre Dame. Hainsey is a smart, technically sound interior offensive lineman whose strengths lie in his versatility, fundamentals, and adaptability. While he doesn’t possess the elite size or explosiveness of some top linemen, his high floor and ability to contribute across multiple spots make him a valuable asset. With ongoing development—particularly in strength and anchoring—he can solidify himself as a durable starting center/guard for years to come.

Strengths

• Technique & leverage usage: Hainsey is often praised for his sound fundamentals. He uses his hands efficiently, understands leverage, and demonstrates good body positioning in both run and pass sets. Bleacher Report

• Footwork & lateral movement for an interior lineman: Despite not being elite in size, he shows the agility to get into blocks, move laterally in pulling/trapping schemes, and handle combo blocks or climbs to second level. Steelers Depot

• Versatility across the offensive line: Hainsey has experience at tackle, guard, and center. This positional flexibility is valuable for roster depth and scheme adjustments. Bucs Nation

• Intelligence & football‑IQ: Having been a captain at Notre Dame and with many starts in college, and now a captain in Jacksonville, he brings experience in line calls, adjustments, and understanding of blocking schemes. Bucs Nation

Weaknesses / Areas for Improvement

• Size & length limitations: At 6′4″ and with arm length reported as shorter than ideal for some linemen, Hainsey has been noted to have struggles anchoring against power rushers, especially when they win initial leverage. Steelers Depot

• Power generation / anchor strength: Some scouting reports flagged that his lower‑body strength and ability to drive defenders in the run game are below the top tier, which may limit his ceiling in certain power‑run schemes. Steelers Depot

• Athletic upside & recovery speed: While he is fundamentally sound, his raw athletic metrics (e.g., 40‑yard dash, shuttle) were not outstanding at the draft level, which raises questions about his ability to handle the most explosive interior rushers or recover from blocks in chase‑down situations.

• Consistency under heavy rush‑pressure situations: As per recent team reports, the Jaguars’ offensive line encountered problems in pass protection when Hainsey was unavailable or when the unit as a whole struggled—highlighting that while competent, Hainsey’s line may need better cohesion and support. SI

Fit & Outlook

Hainsey is well suited for an offense that uses zone‑blocking or mixed run schemes and values linemen who can move and dig rather than exclusively anchoring against monster bull rushers. His versatility allows him to fill positions as needed, which is particularly helpful for injuries or scheme changes. If Hainsey continues improving his strength, anchoring ability, and consistency, he projects as a reliable multi‑year starter at center or guard—a strong starter rather than a star. His ceiling may be somewhat capped compared to elite interior linemen given his physical limitations, but his floor is high: dependable starter and important piece.