4 American OL the Chicago Bears must watch at Senior Bowl

Chicago Bears Senior Bowl Scouting: Emil Ekiyor, Jr., OG – Alabama

Another interior offensive lineman prospect who does not exactly fit Ryan Poles’ preferred build that I am still interested in is Emil Ekiyor, Jr. Ekiyor comes from “offensive lineman factory”, Alabama. He’s not a top prospect, but he could be a nice addition for the Chicago Bears if they look to add big bodies on Day 3.

I have Ekiyor rated as a late, fourth-rounder who could be an option for Chicago if he falls into the fifth round. He stands 6’3″ and weighs 315 pounds. He has long arms for a guard that allows him to consistently succeed on reach blocks. Ekiyor is a fifth-year senior who has experience at both right and left guard. He gave up only two sacks on over 2,000 snaps at Alabama.

What I really like about Ekiyor is his ability to pick up blitzes and stunts. He has a strong football IQ and it shows up in his film. Ekiyor is not the strongest guy out there though. He uses his intelligence to his advantage though, often pushing speed rushers outside of the pocket. He has a strong motor and doesn’t quit until the whistle is blown. If he can add some pure strength to his frame without losing his ability to maintain his quick feet, he could be a starter for a decade.