Lloyd Cushenberry Overview
Position: Center
School: LSU
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 312 pounds
NFL Combine Performance Data
Arm Length: 34 ⅛”
40 Yard Dash: 5.27 seconds
Bench Press: 25 reps
Lloyd Cushenberry 2020 NFL Draft Profile
Lloyd Cushenberry was a three-star high school recruit from Louisiana who went on to play at LSU. After being redshirted as a true freshman, Cushenberry saw the field in his redshirt freshman season. Though he primarily played special teams, Cushenberry did see some snaps later in the season along the offensive line. It wasn’t until his sophomore season when Cushenberry would become a full-time starter. This season he started all 13 games at center.
In his final season at Louisiana State University Cushenberry was able to achieve a great deal. Cushenberry was a star on what was regarded as one of the best offensive lines in the country. There is multiple LSU offensive lineman that will be drafted this year, and Cushenberry headlines that list. Overall, his performance throughout the season helped elevate the offensive line play, which was a key component in the historic 15-0 year LSU had.
After winning the national championship, Cushenberry and was playing once again in the spotlight less than two weeks later at the senior bowl. Here Cushenberry was able to showcase really nice hand technique, power, and lateral movement skills. He was also the only offensive lineman on the south roster that looked serviceable against Javon Kinlaw in one on one practice reps. Cushenberry was able to check a lot of boxes at the senior bowl and continued to impress NFL evaluators
Strengths
- Very good lower body strength;
- Good ability to anchor against bull rush moves;
- Good natural length;
- Nice flexibility in his lower half helps his anchoring skills, and elevates his average power;
- Movement in space are well;
- Clean footwork in pass protection;
- Good mirroring skills in pass protection;
- Football IQ;
- Potential to play guard.
Weaknesses
- Balance isn’t good in the run game, better in pass protection;
- Doesn’t have the best range in run blocking
- Could improve upper body strength;
- Needs to get better at recognizing stunts;
- Occasionally extends to early in misses defender when blocking in space;
- Placement could be more consistent;
- Power at the point of attack has room to improve and be more consistent.
Projection: 2nd Round
NFL Comparison: Ryan Kelly
Teams With Need at Position: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins
Bottom Line on Lloyd Cushenberry
In a weak interior offensive line class, Lloyd Cushenberry has proved to be one of the most valued at the position. He is one of few in this draft class that will have a chance to instantly start in the NFL. Cushenberry will also bring a lot of essential and translatable traits to an NFL team.
Having enough strength is essential for an offensive lineman; this translates into many aspects of their game. Cushenberry is above average in this aspect but has some deficiencies that could be exposed in the NFL, even if it wasn’t a problem on his college tape. Cushenberry doesn’t play with enough upper body strength, which can limit him at the next level. His lower body strength does help to make up for this, though. If Cushenberry could add a little more upper body strength, using power to anchor in pass protection and at the point of attack could become a strength of his.
Cushenberry’s skill set should translate well into the NFL for the most part. Though he doesn’t have the highest ceiling for a prospect, he does have a good floor. Cushenberry should be able to start day 1 if his team has an opening at center. Cushenberry should also be able to play guard in the future if needed, even though he had some issues with reps at guard during senior bowl practices. Cushenberry’s good lateral movement skills, hands, and football IQ will all help him right away in the NFL.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
