FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe.
2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Justin Eboigbe
Justin Eboigbe (DL – Alabama)
6’5″ – 292 lbs.
Background:
Four-star recruit who played a couple hundred snaps as a rotational player (including two starts) and totaled 10 tackles in his freshman season. Saw his playing time double the following year, with 19 tackles, and had the same total the following year on about a hundred fewer snaps. Missed most of the 2022 season with a neck injury, finishing with 11 tackles, then returned this year and had a breakout season of 64-11.5-7.0.
Positives:
Broke out this year and put himself on the map with a strong senior campaign. Big, strong defensive lineman who primarily plays the five-technique left-end spot on Alabama’s three-man lines. Tough player whose functional strength appears very good. Good knee-bend allows him to compete in the leverage battle. Has the lower-body strength to hold the point of attack in the run game. Lateral quickness is good enough to threaten early penetration on the inside; some ability to use his rip move to knife past blockers and create disruption. Plays with good discipline on the back side. Not purely a power-based pass-rusher; also works the edge fairly often. Flexibility in his lower body is better than anticipated for a player with his size. Excellent contact balance allows him to stay on track when trying to turn the corner and beat opposing tackles around the edge. Capable of grinding down tackles with his bull-rush.
Negatives:
Season-ending neck injury sustained in 2022 will require further medical evaluation. Would like to see him get more consistent extension to lock out opponents; some plays in which he’s throwing his body around. Some snaps he tries to anticipate and crash down, but ends up giving up the edge. Can be a tick late to identify the ball carrier, and doesn’t have the recovery speed to make up for it if he gets frozen. Overall range in pursuit is limited. Smoother than expected but doesn’t have a lot of speed and explosiveness as an edge rusher. Rush approach isn’t the most sophisticated and diverse. Lack of an ideal closing burst may cause him to struggle to finish his rushes at the pro level.
Summary:
A traditional Alabama defensive lineman with a big, strong frame and the ability to hold the point of attack in the run game, but is also smoother than anticipated as a pass-rusher, allowing him to create the occasional pressure off the edge. Managed to come back from a season-ending neck injury and enjoy a breakout year in 2023, so he should be on the mid-round map for teams looking for gritty two-gap linemen. Would probably fit best as a five-technique on an odd front, but could potentially work inside or outside on four-man lines.
Projection: Round 5
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