2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Emil Ekiyor Jr. (OG – Alabama)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Emil Ekyor Jr.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Emil Ekiyor Jr. (OG – Alabama)

Emil Ekiyor Jr. (OG – Alabama)

6’3” – 307 lbs

Background:

Four-star recruit who redshirted in 2018, then played 134 snaps in 2019, 55 of which came at left guard against Arkansas, before stepping into a starting role at right guard, where he’s been for the past three years. In total, started forty career games and allowed just two sacks.

Positives:

Thickly-built three-year starter for arguably college football’s premier program and has the type of polish you’d expect. Plays with solid competitiveness and physicality, showing an impressive work rate. Able to attack the outside shoulder and generate movement to seal defenders inside. Has solid short-area quickness to line up defenders in space successfully; does a nice job of engaging at the second level. Able to pull to the left side of the line and crack defenders. Places his hands inside and shows solid grip strength and excellent effort to sustain through the whistle. Keeps his feet going after contact and has above-average functional strength to generate movement. Works well on double-team blocks. Was an alert and successful pass protector in school. Keeps his head on a swivel, actively seeking out opponents to block. Plays with a wide base and solid knee-bend. Proactive with his punch. Overall lateral quickness is above average for his size. Drops an early anchor against power.

Negatives:

Game-to-game consistency wasn’t quite on the same level as some of the other prospects in the class. Measurements at the Combine may affect his draft stock; listed height is closer to adequate and doesn’t appear to have the longest arms. Can play outside of his frame, which causes him to end up on the ground more often than you’d like. Game is typically relatively easy on the eye, but there are some instances where he lunges at opponents and misses. Could be a little bit more powerful and accurate with his punch. Doesn’t have any starting experience beyond right guard.

Summary:

A three-year starter who may not have any elite physical or athletic traits but also doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses to his game, combining generally sound technique with excellent effort/physicality and solid short-area quickness and functional strength. Those traits give him a relatively high floor and could make him a starter at guard in the pros. Alabama’s offense relies more on zone concepts in the run game but might fit best in a gap/power scheme.

Projection: Round 3-4