Big Blue View
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
Height: 6-foot 4 1/8 inches
Weight: 309 pounds
Arm length: 33 inches
Hand size: 10 3/8 inches
Best traits
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...
