Would Mbow’s versatility and toughness help the Giants?
The NFL loves offensive tackles, and teams typically have pretty strong thresholds when it comes to tackle traits. They generally like a very specialized set of traits, and that limits selection but the upside is too valuable to ignore.
On the flip side, however, there’s the fact that versatility is a virtue that many teams also value.
Purdue offensive tackle Marcus Mbow doesn’t have the traits that teams typically value at offensive tackle. He lacks the mass, height, and length, we typically see from tackles, but he showed on the field that he has the athleticism and technique to play on the edge. Many of this traits, however, could also translate to an interior offensive line role.
The potential to play inside or outside could give Mbow broad appeal around the NFL, particularly for a team like the New York Giants who could need help at multiple positions. Likewise, players who have the ability to move around the line gives teams flexibility to cope with injury.
Could Mbow be a player who appeals to the Giants?
Prospect: Marcus Mbow (63)
Games Watched: vs. Michigan (2022 – at guard), vs. Wisconsin (2023), vs. Illinois (2024), vs. Oregon (2024)
Red Flags: Suffered a leg injury in 2023
Measurables
Height: 6-foot 4 1/8 inches
Weight: 309 pounds
Arm length: 33 inches
Hand size: 10 3/8 inches
Strengths
Best traits
- Competitive toughness
- Athleticism
- Hand usage
- Versatility
Mbow is an athletic, versatile, and highly competitive offensive line prospect.
Mbow has a versatile build at 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, which could allow him to play multiple positions along the offensive line. He has, in fact, started at both right guard and right tackle for the Boilermakers, and held his own at right guard against Michigan’s defensive front in 2022.
He has a stocky physique that would appear to carry “sloppy” weight around his midsection, but he moves extremely well. Mbow is a very good athlete with light, quick feet, a fluid lower body, and great overall athleticism. He’s able to easily mirror or redirect against speed rushers, pull, or play in space. His lower body fluidity makes opening to pull effortless, and he’s also a natural knee bender to maintain his pad level and maximize his play strength.
Mbow has pro-ready technique with heavy, active hands tied to solid footwork. He delivers a hard punch early in the rep, consistently targeting (and winning) defenders’ chest plates for inside leverage. He has the grip and core strength to control defenders for the duration of the rep, as well as the leverage and footwork to mitigate power rushes.
Mbow has truly excellent competitive toughness. He is constantly looking for someone to block and routinely throws multiple blocks on the same rep.
Mbow has a pretty big “nasty” streak and consistently looks to finish his blocks with the defender on the ground – and often jumps on them to keep them from pursuing the play.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Size
- Length
- Play strength
Mbow’s weaknesses will likely be in the eye of the beholder.
Teams looking for an offensive tackle will likely be concerned about his length and could place a large degree of importance on his arm measurements. Teams that make heavy use of a power based man-gap blocking scheme could be concerned about his weight if he comes in near the 300 pounds at which he’s listed.
Beyond team-specific concerns regarding Mbow’s build, he has a few technical issues.
Most notably, he can be a bit prone to dipping his head into contact, which can lead to inaccurate blocks or pure whiffs. Those usually come when he’s blocking downhill and looking to really drive defenders off the ball. Likewise, he can be a bit “grabby”.
Teams might be a bit concerned regarding Mbow’s play strength at 300 pounds. He’s able to hold up with good leverage, but might struggle against technicians with “NFL” power.
Game Tape
(Mbow is the Purdue RT wearing number 63)
Projection
Marcus Mbow projects as a starting offensive lineman at the NFL level. Where, exactly, he plays will be up to the team that drafts him.
Mbow has terrific positional and schematic versatility, and while his size might have been viewed as a negative in previous years, it should only broaden his appeal now. He’s probably best viewed as a “five-tool” offensive lineman who could play anywhere along the line depending on the needs and scheme of the team that drafts him.
He could start very early in his career at offensive tackle for a more zone-based team, move inside to guard for teams that run a diverse blocking scheme, or even potentially transition to center if his future team so desires. Overall, Mbow’s versatility will make him valuable, but his competitive toughness and demeanor will likely earn him plenty of fans among NFL coaching staffs.
Does he fit the Giants?
Yes
Final Word: A second-round value
