2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Marcus Mbow (OT – Purdue)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Purdue offensive tackle Marcus Mbow. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Marcus Mbow

Marcus Mbow (OT – Purdue)

6-foot-5 | 300 Pounds

Background

Wisconsin native who redshirted in 2021, Marcus Mbow started all 14 games at right guard the following year, allowing just three hits and eleven pressures, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Moved to right tackle in 2023, starting the first six games before sustaining a season-ending broken leg. To that point, he had allowed one sack, one hit and nine pressures. Reprised that starting right tackle role this season in Purdue’s primarily zone-based offense, giving up three sacks.

Positives

Comes with two-and-a-half years of starting experience between both guard and tackle. A pretty solid athlete, even if he ends up staying at tackle. Has the lateral quickness to stick with opponents and wash them down the line when executing horizontal run concepts. Looks fast when he’s climbing up to the second level to engage opponents. Mbow can pull across the formation and kick out opponents on the edge.

His grip strength is excellent and knows how to generate torque with his upper body and force opponents off-balance. Tough, nasty player who takes advantage of chances to finish. Teams will love his competitive spirit. Mbow orks hard through the whistle and relishes contact. Active with his hands in pass protection, generally playing with a sufficiently wide base and replicating his kick slide. When he has his base under him, does a nice job of absorbing power, especially given his relatively low listed weight, with solid contact balance on most snaps. Good awareness to handle stunts off the edge.

Negatives

Measurements could cause some teams to project him as a guard. Hands find themselves outside too often — has been flagged four or five times in each season. A grabby street-fighter who needs to play under more control to avoid being a penalty machine at the next level, having gotten away with several bear hugs during the games reviewed.

Mbow has some tendencies to catch and absorb power in pass protection, rather than firing his hands out and keeping opponents away from his frame; that undermines his anchor and causes him to get driven back at times. Doesn’t appear to have the most flexibility in his knees, His lateral quickness is closer to adequate. The broken leg will require further medical investigation.

Summary

A versatile tackle/guard prospect who plays like a throwback to the old days, with a glass-eating, street-fighting style that should endear him to pro offensive line coaches. Mbow’s above-average athleticism, impressive grip strength and through-the-snap work rate solidify him as a potential starter at the next level at either tackle or guard. However, he’ll have to control his hand placement to avoid penalties and could have trouble defending the edge against some of the premier rushers in the league.

Projection: Round 2/Round 3

Check out all of our 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports