2019 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Erik McCoy





  • Erik McCoy, 6-3/310

  • Center

  • Texas A&M


  • Erik McCoy Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Athletic
  • Strong hands
  • Able to control defenders when he latches on them
  • Sustains blocks
  • Good awareness
  • Decent feel
  • Quick to the second level
  • Athletic to hit blocks in the open field
  • Adept on executing screens
  • Can anchor against bull rushes
  • Could play center or guard
  • Good knee bend
  • Good vision
  • Plug-and-play starting potential
  • Enough size to play guard or center
  • Good technique
  • Intelligent
  • Recoverability
  • Tough
  • Battles hard
  • Blocks through the whistle


  • Weaknesses:
  • Short arms – 32.63 inches
  • Not powerful
  • Not a pile mover
  • Does not generate a ton of movement in the run game
  • Lacks length
  • A tad short in height


  • Summary: McCoy was a steady blocker for the Aggies over the past few seasons. He started at center as a freshman, before getting starts at guard and center over the years to come. In his final season at Texas A&M, McCoy had a good year and scouts who went through College Station said that McCoy was the best NFL prospect for the 2019 NFL Draft on the Aggies’ roster. He had some good tapes in 2018, including an impressive showing against Alabama when taking on future first-round picks Quinnen Williams and Raekwon Davis. McCoy also played well against Clemson, taking on the Tigers’ early-round talents at defensive tackle.

    In the ground game, McCoy is not a people-moving road-grader. He does not have the strength to move the pile and does not generate a ton of movement in the rushing attack. However, he is athletic in the open field, showing some quickness to the second level and being able to hit blocks in space. Off the snap, McCoy is agile on zone runs to get in position while also showing the ability to get a block at the line of scrimmage and peel off to the second level. McCoy does a nice job on screens, quickly getting in position and showing the agility to get blocks in the open field.

    As a pass blocker, McCoy has some talent for the NFL. He is athletic with the ability to move his feet while maintaining his block. With strong hands at the point of attack, McCoy is able to control defenders when he latches onto them. He sustains blocks through the whistle and doesn’t lose on second efforts. He has good feel, awareness and intelligence. Against powerful tackles, McCoy shows some ability to anchor and stonewall some bull rushes. On double teams, McCoy is very good to tie up defenders with his guards and keep them from getting after the quarterback. With his athleticism and ability to sustain blocks, McCoy shows a nice ability to handle speed rushers.

    After the season, McCoy had a disappointing showing at the Senior Bowl. Sources have said that McCoy’s game tape was impressive and much better than how he played in Mobile, so that could cause him to slide a little lower. Depending on the team that drafts him, he could be a plug-and-play starter, but it would be ideal for him to be a backup and get more powerful before being a starter. Hence, he should add more functional strength for the NFL. In speaking to team sources, they believe that McCoy could sneak into the second round and probably won’t get out of the third round.



    Player Comparison: Pat Elflein. Sources suggested Elflein as a comp for McCoy and it makes sense as they are almost identical in size. Both are a tad short, but make up for it in other ways and battle hard. Elflein (6-3, 303) was a third-round pick in the 2017 draft and has turned into a solid pro for the Vikings. McCoy could also be a third-round pick that turns into a similar caliber pro to Elflein.

    NFL Matches: Arizona, Denver, Tennessee, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Philadelphia, Minnesota

    There could be a lot of teams in the market for McCoy on the second day of the 2019 NFL Draft. Arizona needs to improve ite offensive line and could be interested in McCoy as a potential plug-and-play blocker.

    The Broncos may not re-sign Matt Paradis, but even if they bring the veteran center back, they could use help at guard.

    The Titans badly need some upgrades at guard and center. McCoy could be a plug-and-play upgrade for Tennessee.

    In the NFC South, the Buccaneers have a big hole at right guard. McCoy could start out there and potentially move to center in a year or two. In the same divison, the Falcons have to improve their guard play, so McCoy could be a fit for them. Up in Carolina, center Ryan Kalil has concluded his impressive career, plus the Panthers could use help at left guard as well. Thus, McCoy could be a fit for Carolina on Day 2 at guard or center.

    The Eagles had protection issues on the inside of their line last year, so McCoy could be of interest. He could help them at guard or center.

    Minnesota must get more offensive line talent to protect Kirk Cousins, so McCoy could be of interest to the Vikings.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2019 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2019 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2019 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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