Emil Ekiyor NFL Draft Overview
Position: Guard
Height: 6′-3″
Weight: 314 pounds
School: Alabama
2023 NFL Draft: Emil Ekiyor Scouting Report
Emil Ekiyor began his career in Tuscaloosa in 2018, when he saw action in four games for the Crimson Tide, allowing him to redshirt for the 2019 season. He played in eight of the Crimson Tide’s 13 games that year, primarily at the guard position. 2020 was a breakout year for Ekiyor as he won a starting position at guard and started all 13 games for ‘Bama. Ekiyor picked up where he left off by once again starting all 15 of Alabama’s games at guard. Ekiyor closed out his career with the Tide starting all 13 games at guard for the 2022 season.
Strengths
- Fires out low at the snap of the ball;
- Exceptional and fluid biomechanics allow him to control opponents;
- Stays on his block from the snap to the whistle;
- Quick and effective punches, especially in pass protection;
- Continues blocking downfield on run plays.
Weaknesses
- Does not have the prototypical NFL guard frame/body;
- Athletic defensive linemen will be able to beat him to the inside and outside;
- Has difficulty defending against the bull rush;
- Lateral blocking is inconsistent and shoddy;
- Has reached for blocks, causing him to be unbalanced, and allowing opponents to easily control him.
NFL Comparison: Oday Aboushi
Teams With Need At Position: Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders
Projection: Rounds 5-6
Bottom Line on Emil Ekiyor
Emil Ekiyor had a very solid career with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Over the last three years, he started all 51 of the Crimson Tides games, which speaks to his durability. What will intrigue teams about Ekiyor, in addition to the durability factor, is that he fires out low off of the snap. This sets them apart from many offensive linemen, whose first step is up instead of straight ahead/forward. He has exceptional and fluid biomechanics which allow him to control his opponent. He has quick and effective punches that serve his pass-blocking game very well. Ekiyor will take on his initial blocker and if successful in taking them out of the play, will then head upfield and continue blocking for the ball carrier.
Teams may decide against using a pick on him because he does not have the prototypical NFL guard body/frame. He also has difficulty dealing with athletic defensive linemen who will beat him to his inside and/or outside. Similarly, Ekiyor has difficulty against the bull rush, and his lateral blocking ability leaves a lot to be desired. If he wants to last in the NFL, he will also need to work on his habitual reaching out for blocks, thus being controlled by the defender. Look for a team to use a pick on Ekiyor in either round five or six, in Kansas City in eight days.
