New York Jets 2019 NFL Draft Profile: C Erik McCoy

Here’s our 2019 NFL Draft profile for Texas A&M center Erik McCoy breaking down his strengths, weaknesses, video highlights, and New York Jets prediction.

The New York Jets are desperately in need of a long-term solution at the center position and they might be able to find just that in this year’s 2019 NFL Draft with Erik McCoy.

In a relatively solid interior line class — at least at the top — McCoy remains one of the better options. However, with the center position not being as valued as others, it’s likely he falls to either the second or third round where the Jets might have the opportunity to snatch him up.

McCoy is a true high-floor, high-upside prospect who projects as a Week 1 starter with Pro Bowl potential down the line. There are some concerns with his game, as with any prospect, but it’s hard to watch his tape and not get excited about the possibility of the Jets drafting him.

A three-year starter at Texas A&M, McCoy never missed a game in his collegiate career and at just 21-years-old, the Aggie product could be quite the pick up for any team looking for an instant upgrade on their interior offensive line.

STRENGTHS

McCoy is a well-built, stout lineman who excels when asked to show off his impressive power and strength. He is able to bend his knees and get low to the ground often lowering his pad height to gain leverage on defenders.

The 21-year-old is a true anchor of the offensive line with excellent core strength which allows him to finish his blocks. He was a pancake machine at Texas A&M refusing to settle for simply blocking his opponent and instead choosing to drive his opponents into the ground.

McCoy isn’t just a one-trick pony mauler, however. Apart from his stellar strength, McCoy has plenty of mobility to drive up into the second level and even pull if asked to.

This combination of strength and mobility will allow him to excel in any scheme he’s asked to play. Whether he’s playing in a power run scheme or a zone blocking scheme, expect McCoy to flourish at the next level.

WEAKNESSES

The biggest knocks on McCoy have come with his physical limitations. He isn’t the most impressive athlete which some feel will limit his ceiling in the NFL.

On top of that, many have concerns about his lack of overall length, a similar concern for top Alabama prospect Jonah Williams. McCoy doesn’t have the wingspan to matchup with other premier centers in the league and his lack of length sometimes forces him to reach for defenders, throwing off his anchor.

There are also a few technical issues that scouts feel he could clean up. Some have concerns about his hand technique as his placement isn’t as strong as it should be for someone that lacks length as he does.

NEW YORK JETS PREDICTION

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Unlike some of the other prospects we have done draft profiles on so far, McCoy would be an excellent fit for the Jets and should be one of their top targets outside of the first round.

After the team failed to address the center position in free agency, the Jets are left with versatile career backup Jonotthan Harrison as their sole viable center option. Unless they were to sign another center from now until the draft, it will, unfortunately, remain that way.

Expect the Jets to address the position in the draft, likely with one of their two third-round picks. If the team trades down in the first round, they might even be able to acquire a second-round pick which could increase their chances of landing McCoy or another top interior line prospect.

Next. Jets 2019 NFL Draft Profile: OT Jawaan Taylor

McCoy is expected to be drafted as a Day 2 selection but if he were to slip to the Jets No. 68 draft pick in the third round, the team would be foolish to pass on him. Given that he even has a chance to go late Day 1, the Jets might just have to trade up/down and acquire a second-round pick if they want to draft him.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

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