Anthony Belton built himself up from a former unranked recruit to a quality prospect in this year’s draft. He has the combination of strength and size to dominate at the next level. Here is a 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report on the tone-setting tackle out of North Carolina State.
Overview, Film Analysis, And 2025 Scouting Report Of NC State OT Anthony Belton
Measurables:
- 6’6”
- 336 lbs
- Arms: 33 7/8”
- Hands: 10 1/4”
2025 NFL Combine Results:
- 40-Yard Dash: 5.26 seconds
- 10-Yard Split: 1.82 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 29.5”
- Broad Jump: 8’ 11”
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.77 seconds
Player Background:
Anthony Belton was an unranked recruit out of Florida State University High School in Tallahassee, Florida. He spent the first two collegiate seasons of his career at the JUCO level playing for Georgia Military College. After eleven games and the shutdown of football in 2020, Belton committed to North Carolina State as a three-star recruit in the transfer portal.
He saw time in just two games during his first season with the Wolfpack but filled in nicely for former first-round selection Ickey Ekwonu to start the 2022 season. The final parts of his six-year college career were his best. In 2023, Belton started every game at left tackle and was a third-team selection to the All-ACC team. As a graduate student, he set a career-high 87.3 pass-blocking grade on 739 total snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Accolades:
- Reese’s Senior Bowl participant
- Third-team All-ACC (2023)
Best Tools/Pros:
Anthony Belton is a tone-setter on the outside of the offensive line. He plays with elite relentlessness and combines that with exceptional power. Defensive linemen have no success trying to use bull rush moves against him. He knows how to utilize his big frame and consistently get into the right position. Belton understands not to overextend and trusts that his length can stick with any edge rusher. He does a good job of finishing his blocks, taking his assignments to the ground, and playing through the whistle. The demeanor and mental edge needed at the NFL level are evident in his game.
NC State OT Anthony Belton held his own against Marshall EDGE Mike Green, one of the fastest risers at the @seniorbowl, this afternoon.
Belton is putting together a solid week in Mobile. pic.twitter.com/TTUNmBEGE6
— Noah Fleischman (@fleischman_noah) January 30, 2025
Belton has executed a number of blocks at the collegiate level. His ability to work out in space on screen plays and backside cut-offs is impressive for a player with his size. He can quickly move downhill after taking out the defensive lineman and linebackers don’t stand a chance against a player with his mass. He has the kind of straight-line power that will allow running backs to follow him as they look for extra yardage in the second level.
Tools to Improve/Cons:
Anthony Belton needs to find consistency in his lower half. There are some reps where his footwork is clean and he drops his hips effectively. On the next rep, he plays with crossed feet or clunky footwork causing him to lose balance and become vulnerable. With a bigger frame, the footwork will be a substantial hurdle for Belton but he needs to clean up his pad level too. He will struggle at the next level with speed rushers if he can’t sink himself down and protect himself against their bending ability. Should he clean up his footwork and pad level, his kick step will be quicker and his lateral ability should improve.
The hands are another area of Belton’s game that must get better. He needs the same punch in his hands that he has blocking downhill. There are too many times when he struggles to latch onto the pass rusher and allow them to work off him. Nuanced NFL edge rushers will know how to take his hands out of the play and quickly get him out of position. Belton needs to get better with the timing of his hands as well. He doesn’t have the athletic ability to recover if he doesn’t get his hands on the defender first.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
Anthony Belton will occupy a roster spot on an NFL roster because of his strength and size. He can bring value as a jumbo offensive lineman early on in his career but he won’t be a plug-and-play rookie. If he is developed properly, he should become a consistent pass-blocking tackle with the ability to move inside when needed. A team will see the mauler mentality in him and hope they can clean up some fundamentals while unlocking some untapped athleticism too.
Prospect Grade and Comparison:
- Middle Fifth – Early Sixth
- Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin
Film Exposures:
- vs Duke (2024)
- vs Connecticut (2023)
- vs Notre Dame (2023)
- vs North Carolina (2023)
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
