Draft Profile Series: Cyrus Kouandjio
- Updated: May 1, 2014
As we approach the deepest NFL Draft in recent memory, I’ll give my breakdown and analysis of 75 top prospects in this year’s class. At the conclusion of this series, I will include my final overall and positional rankings, as well as a mock draft.
Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, 6-6½, 332, Alabama
Key stats: Started 36 games over last two seasons.
Strengths: Is a mountain of a man with long arms. … Has pretty good pass drop and gets in good position in protection. … Technically sound in his footwork and does great job pushing rushers wide. … When he gets off quick and low, can be hard to handle. … If he wins early, he can overwhelm any defensive lineman and take them for a ride. … Has some nastiness and toughness to his game, and usually plays better when he brings that edge.
Weaknesses: Is not an elite athlete for the position, and is a bit heavy-footed. … Lunges and sometimes plays with poor balance. … Inconsistent hand placement. … Hands get wide and he loses leverage in both the run game and when punching in pass protection. … Not a consistent run blocker. … Gets too high and defenders drive him back too easily. … Has a long history of injury, including major knee surgery in 2011 and shoulder surgery in 2013.
Conclusion: Kouandjio has the length of a left tackle, but the feet of a right tackle. … I think he can hold up at times on left tackle, but would have trouble with speed rushers who can turn speed into power. … Kouandjio can work on his technique of staying low and getting his hands inside on defenders. … Eventually he’ll become a better run blocker and would be a better fit at right tackle in the NFL.
NFL comparison: Jermon Bushrod/Austin Howard.
Draft projection: Late first or second round.
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