2027 NFL Scouting Report: Will Echoles

Prospect Summary:

One of the hardest weapons to find for an NFL team is an interior pass rusher. Defensive tackles who can consistently create a pass rush from the inside and collapse the pocket are a rare commodity, and pro teams place a high value on them. There are a lot of solid interior defensive linemen, but ones who get after the quarterback are pure gold for a pro defense. Echoles has that potential to be a contributing pass rusher in the NFL. While he may not be a Hall of Fame producer with sack totals in the teens like an Aaron Donald or Warren Sapp, Echoles could be an interior rusher that produces in the 6-10 range during the good seasons of his career, and that is very good production for a pro tackle.

As a pass rusher, Echoles is adept at getting off blocks and collapsing the pocket. He has an impressive swim move and rip move to gain leverage on guards with a burst to eat up space. His upper body strength is impressive with his ability to chop hands away and break free from blocks. That strength makes his swim and rip move impressive, and guards are in serious trouble if Echoles gets on their edges. On top of those moves, Echoles has a powerful bull rush, and he can push guards straight back to the quarterback. Echoles has a legit ability to get after the quarterback with his strength, quickness, and polished moves.

In the ground game, Echoles is a stout defender. He holds his ground and is able to anchor against rushes coming downhill straight at him. Echoles can sink his weight, hold his spot, and then shed the block. Echoles will also shed blocks and pursue down the line to get in on tackles, and he is an asset as a run defender. Echoles plays with good leverage, and that keeps guards from getting him out of his gap. There are also impressive plays where Echoles will toss his blocker to the side off the snap or bull him into the backfield to blow up runs. Echoles is a well-balanced defender who is effective in both phases.

Echoles looks like a future starter who would fit best in a one-gap scheme. He is versatile, as he can play three technique or nose tackle.