Eli Cox C Kentucky | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Eli Cox C Kentucky
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: Center | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.30 seconds (39%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: Center | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 5.30 seconds (39%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 60.7 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
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69% |
| Run Blocking: |
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56% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#496
Position rank:
#89
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| College Games: 50 College Snaps: 2862 | ||
ESPN RATING: 75/100
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247 RATING: 83/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Alan Ali - TCU |
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96% |
| Chase Behrndt - West Virginia |
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89% |
| Braylon Jones - Houston |
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87% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Eli Cox, center from Kentucky, has been a mainstay on the Wildcats' offensive line. The Nicholasville, Kentucky native emerged as a key contributor after redshirting in 2019. Cox saw action in eight games as a redshirt freshman before earning a starting role in 2021, opening nine contests at right guard before a hand injury cut his season short.In 2022, Cox transitioned to center, starting all 13 games and landing on the Outland Trophy Watch List. His strong play continued in 2023, as he earned Second Team All-SEC honors from the coaches. Cox started the first three games at right guard before sliding back to center for the final 10 contests. He was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week after a dominant performance against Eastern Kentucky.
Off the field, Cox has been a standout in the classroom and community. He graduated in May 2022 with a degree in integrated strategic communication and is currently pursuing a graduate certificate. Cox has been active in various volunteer efforts and was elected to the SEC Football Leadership Council in consecutive years. His leadership and character were recognized when he was named one of Kentucky's permanent team captains for the 2023 season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Positional flexibility to play both center and guard, offering valuable depth and versatility for NFL offensive lines.
- Stout frame with NFL-caliber size, measuring 6'4" and 311 pounds, allowing him to anchor effectively against interior defenders.
- Demonstrates refined hand placement and punch timing in pass protection, neutralizing both speed and power rushers off the snap.
- Showcases a strong base and lower body strength when setting deep in pass protection, stonewalling bull rushes from nose tackles.
- Generates good initial surge at the point of attack in the run game, consistently creating movement off the line of scrimmage.
- Displays fluid lateral movement and coordination when climbing to the second level or pulling on run plays.
- Possesses keen spatial awareness when locating and engaging linebackers and defensive backs in space on screens and outside runs.
- High-level intangibles and leadership skills, as shown by his role as team captain and selection to the SEC Football Leadership Council.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Inconsistent in recognizing and picking up stunts, twists, and delayed blitzes, potentially leaving the pocket vulnerable to interior pressure.
- Lacks elite lateral agility when asked to reach block in zone running schemes, limiting scheme versatility at the next level.
- Hand placement and overall technique deteriorate when working in space at the second level, reducing blocking effectiveness downfield.
- Doesn't consistently display the nasty demeanor and finishing mentality coveted in top-tier offensive line prospects.
- Despite good strength, fails to consistently dominate opponents or generate significant displacement in the run game.
Scouting Report: Summary
A solid contributor with the potential to carve out a role as a swing interior lineman at the next level. Cox's experience in the SEC trenches and positional versatility will appeal to teams running power-based rushing attacks. His ability to anchor against bull rushes and effectively work to the second level in the run game translates well to the pro game.While not an elite athlete, Cox's technical proficiency and high character should allow him to contribute in a backup capacity early in his career. To maximize his potential, he'll need to improve his recognition of complex blitz packages and refine his technique when blocking in space. His leadership qualities will be an asset in NFL position rooms.
Cox's skill set and physical profile suggest he's best suited for a gap-scheme offense that emphasizes downhill running and doesn't require extensive lateral movement from its interior linemen. His draft stock indicates he could hear his name called on Day 3, with the potential to outperform his draft position if he lands in the right system and continues to develop.
Written By:
Bill Miller (SEC)
How other scouting services rate Eli Cox (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
720.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
113.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.