Griffin Empey OG North Dakota State |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #62 SUB-POSITION: Left/Right Guard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 5.16 seconds (79%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #62 | |
| SUB-POSITION: Left/Right Guard | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 5.16 seconds (79%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
67.6 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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69% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
|
78% |
| Run Blocking: |
|
68% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#838
Position rank:
#86 (OL)
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| College Games: 35 College Snaps: 2092 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Boe Wilson - Western Kentucky |
|
92% |
| Xavier Newman-Johnson - Baylor |
|
79% |
| Conner Olson - Minnesota |
|
77% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Griffin Empey was a team captain at Stoughton High School in Wisconsin, where he played defensive line and made 80 tackles as a senior, 12 of them behind the line. On the wrestling mat he won more than 100 matches and three section titles and reached the state final, and he also threw the shot put and discus. With mostly Division II offers, he walked on at North Dakota State. His brother, Brooks, wrestles at Wisconsin.After redshirting in 2023, Empey made 14 starts in 2024, mostly at left guard, and was an FCS Freshman All-American. He earned a scholarship in January 2025 and started all 13 games that season, earning first-team AP FCS All-America and All-Missouri Valley honors.
Empey turned down Power Four interest to return for 2026, when North Dakota State moved up to the FBS. He was a preseason All-Mountain West pick and has given up only three pressures and no sacks in 481 snaps. Two of his three penalties came against Fordham.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Named a first-team AP FCS All-American after the 2025 season
- Only three pressures and no sacks allowed in 481 snaps
- Moves well for a guard and uses leverage from his wrestling days
- Experienced starter at left guard and right guard for the Bison
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Two of his three penalties came against Fordham
- Undersized for the interior, which can show against bull rushes
- Most of his experience came at the FCS level
- Walk-on with modest recruiting interest out of high school
- Allowed pressures against Wyoming, UNLV and Nevada in October
Scouting Report: Summary
Empey is a tough, technically sound guard who has been one of the best linemen in the FCS. He moves well, uses the leverage of a former wrestler and has given up only three pressures this season.However, his weight is below the norm for an interior lineman, and most of his experience came against FCS competition. He has also been flagged three times this year.
Overall, Empey is a polished, athletic guard whose size is the main question. He projects as a priority free agent who could earn a roster spot in camp.
How other scouting services rate Griffin Empey (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
696.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
128.0
*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.