Player Profile: Cyrus Kouandjio

Height:  6'6
Weight:  310
School:  Alabama
Position:  Offensive Tackle
Ranking:  #6 Offensive Tackle
Projection:  Day 2

Strengths
-Ideal size (6'6) and length for the tackle position
-Experienced.  Started two years (28 games) at left tackle in the SEC. 8 more games played in 2011
-Does a good job of getting set up in pass protection
-Good footwork allows him to slide side to side to mirror pass rushers.
-Active hands helps to keep the defender from getting to his body.
-Does a good job of locking a pass rusher down when he gets his hands on them.
-Understands how to use his big body to shield defenders from the ball
-Fires off the ball in the run game getting to the defender
-Does a good job of getting into position in the run game and creating holes for the running backs
-Is able to lock down a defender in the run game once he gets his hands on them.
 
Weaknesses
-Not the overpowering run blocker you would think.  Does more walling off
-Isn't a great athlete.  Struggles against speed rushers
-Inconsistent pad level.  Will get too high
-Doesn't have a great anchor.  Can be pushed back
-Has a hard time getting blockers in the open field.  Will whiff at times
-Does have some durability concerns.  Past knee and shoulder injuries
-Failed his medical testing at the combine

Summary
Cyrus Kouandjio does a lot of good things that NFL teams are going to want out of their offensive tackles.  Despite not being a great athlete, Kouandjio is a talented pass protector.  He makes up for a lack of elite quickness and agility with good footwork to mirror defenders and knowledge of how to use his body to shield defenders.  A common misconception about Kouandjio is that he is a powerful run blocker.  That's not the case as he won't move most defenders off their spot.  Instead he does a good job of getting leverage and walling off defenders to open up run lanes.  This might mean he would be a better fit in a zone scheme.  Overall Kouandjio is a talented tackle, but he isn't going to really wow you.  He has the ability to be a quality left tackle in this league, but I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up playing only right tackle. He was thought to be somebody to go in the late first round, but his performance at the Combine and the fact that he failed medical tests puts up some red flags. With all that said it's a true mystery where he'll be drafted.  He could still go in the late 1st to a team like Carolina.  Or he could fall all the way to the 3rd round.