Erik McCoy Is A Day 1 Starter At Center Who Could Complete The Redskins Offensive Line

Erik McCoy, OG/C
School: Texas A&M | Conference: SEC
College Experience: RS Junior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 303 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 2nd Round
NFL Comparison: Jason Kelce

College Statistics

N/A

Player Overview

It’s not everyday a true freshman starts in the SEC. Erik McCoy did that as just a 2-star prospect from Lukfin, Texas. McCoy has been a staple of the Aggies offensive line over the past 3 seasons. He has had a huge role in producing 3 consecutive 2,000 yard rushing seasons for the offense. He has been the definition of reliable, consistent, and effective at the position. McCoy started all 13 games at center for the Aggies and was named to the Freshman All-SEC team. He started all 13 games his sophomore season including two at guard and helped his team run for 382 yards in the season opener against UCLA. This past season he started all 12 games and helped pave the way for a historic season for running back Trayveon Williams. McCoy has also been instrumental in things you may not catch on the field. He is considered a quick processor who loves to watch film, a leader, and is credited with improving the chemistry and overall communication of the unit. With 11 different linemen playing on the offensive line this year keeping the unit functioning at a high level hasn’t always been smooth sailing. McCoy recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of the players beside him though and makes sure he calls out what he sees from the defense before the ball is snapped. He is considered a plug and play option as center and possibly at guard especially in a zone blocking scheme.

Strengths

• Good size with excellent athleticism, quickness, strength, and awareness for the position.
• McCoy’s technique stands out. Plays with a great base, hand placement, arm extension, balance and leverage. Can anchor and fight power, can use his footwork and athleticism to fight speed and quickness. Proficient in pass protection but his run blocking and ability to create gaps up the middle stand out. Additionally his athleticism, speed, and quickness for the position is among the best in the class and he is a force out in space in the second level.
• Has coveted lower body power and flexibility. Engages defenders with his hands first in the run game and can sustain blocks on the move. Can also wall them off before releasing and finding work at the next level. Snaps are clean and he comes off the ball quickly. When he doesn’t immediately have an assignment to engage he will look for work and help out his teammates.
• Considered a smart, tough, cerebral player with a high football IQ who embraces film study, leadership, and the responsibility of relaying assignments to his teammates and communicating on each snap.

Weaknesses

• While there is some crossover he is likely a better fit as a zone blocker rather than in a power man scheme.
• If he doesn’t drop his anchor before a bull rush he can lose his balance and get pushed backwards. Also when facing power and speed after a few seconds he can lose leverage on his inside shoulder and have to turn to try and recover and keep up with defender.
• Not overwhelmingly powerful or nasty.
• Arm length is shorter than what is ideal.

Let’s see his work (C #64):

More Erik McCoy videos

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

While the Redskins immediate need on the offensive line is at left guard I have to say that I think McCoy would be best at center. Position versatility is nice so thank God for Chase Roullier. I would move Chase Roullier over the LG and let McCoy take the reigns at center due to Roullier’s past experience at the position. While Chase has done a nice job there I think the position would be improved by McCoy because of his athleticism and abilities in the run game and in space. McCoy excels at combo blocks, anchoring in pass pro, moving to the second level, and most importantly finding his target at the next level which springs big runs. Not to mention between Roullier, Williams, and Scherff the team could always use another leader, cerebral player, and improved communicator on the line. McCoy also brings more consistency and reliability to the offensive line he started every game in his college career and never missed one due to injury. If the Skins draft him he would be a day one starter at center and the Redskins offensive lines would be in very good shape.