Baynes is a high-floor, low-ceiling interior lineman who wins with length, awareness, and controlled aggression rather than athletic traits. His 81.5-inch wingspan is rare for a guard and lets him keep interior rushers at bay in pass protection, where he's been consistently clean over two full years as a starter. The run game is where he pops — he finishes blocks with a nasty streak and hunts for work at the second level, though his average lateral quickness limits his fit in wide-zone systems. He's a classic gap-scheme guard who could earn a roster spot as a swing interior backup with upside to compete for a starting job in the right offense, but the lack of explosive athleticism caps his projection as a developmental Day 3 pick.
- Elite wingspan (81.5 inches) for an interior lineman creates natural leverage advantages in pass protection and at the point of attack
- Exceptional assignment discipline and mental processing — rarely beats himself with blown assignments or false steps
- Plays with a finishing mentality in the run game, driving through blocks and seeking second-level work
- Two full seasons of starting experience with nearly 1,900 career snaps provide a pro-ready foundation of scheme understanding and line communication
- Below-average explosive athleticism limits ability to reach second-level blocks in space and handle quick-twitch interior rushers
- Anchor can be compromised when defenders win with counter moves after initial contact — needs to reset more effectively
- Late bloomer with limited starting experience before 2024 raises development curve questions
- Big 12 competition level does not consistently replicate the caliber of NFL interior defensive linemen he'll face on Sundays
Similar physical profile and play style — a gap-scheme guard who wins with length, toughness, and assignment reliability rather than explosive athleticism. Davis carved out a starting role in Tennessee's power-heavy system before his inconsistency caught up with him. Baynes has a similar floor as a scheme-specific starter.