Purdue right tackle Marcus Mbow is arguably the most interesting offensive lineman in the 2025 NFL Draft class. What position might he play at the NFL level, and how quickly does his scouting report suggest he hears his name called in April?
Marcus Mbow Profile and Measurements
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 305 pounds
Position: Offensive Lineman
School: Purdue
Current Year: Junior (Fourth Year)
Marcus Mbow Scouting Report
Strengths
- CONSPICUOUSLY impressive athlete
- Fleet of foot, explosive, and fluid
- Explosiveness extends to drive into contact and recovery ability
- Foot speed and fluidity to mirror rushers in space
- Impressive POP as a downhill blocker
- Consistently displaces interior defenders on combination blocks
- Explosive out of a high, narrow stance
- Quickly gets on balance
- Incredible flexibility and fluidity to peel off combos and connect with second-level defenders coming the opposite direction
- Silky smooth hip hinge to turn and burn in open-field and second-level blocking opportunities
- Strong hands and impressive fight to counter initial losses in a phone booth
- Naturally stout anchor despite lack of frame density
- Very intelligent blocker who handles DL games with ease
- Mixes up strikes and approaches to keep pass rushers off guard
Weaknesses
- Spry but lacks consistency at second level with angles and sustainment
- Too many outside rush wins vs his athleticism
- Displays lack of natural feel for sealing rushing lanes with backside swivel
- Impatience leads to waist bending in pass pro
- Stance tips off run/pass
- Feet/shoulders more square on runs
- Interior player at next level given issues playing against space/distance
Summary and Draft Projection
Throughout the 2025 NFL Draft process Mbow has been a name to watch as a potential riser. He’s also consistently been tagged with an almost certain move to the interior. But while most projected the uber-athletic blocker one spot to the left, his highest ceiling comes as a pivot at the NFL level.
If he shows no issues with the physical and cognitive side of snapping the football and engaging with blockers, his ceiling as an NFL center is… as Michael Jordan would say… the roof.
Mbow isn’t as physically dominant as Graham Barton was a season ago, but he’s an even smoother athlete with the same amount of bad intentions Barton consistently showed as a blocker. Mbow plays with excellent violence, particularly for his size, while also looking to play through the whistle and finish blockers to the turf.
But Mbow’s projection between center and guard is a bit complex. Operating with space between himself and defenders is where troubles come. Closing that distance is a more consistent option at guard rather than center, although his quick wit projects nicely to the very center of an offensive line.
His effortless athleticism makes him an outstanding option in a zone rushing attack, but his downhill pop indicates he’s scheme-versatile. His naturally stout anchor also projects well to either interior position.
He shouldn’t have to wait long to hear his name called in April. It wouldn’t be a Creed Humphrey-level mistake by the NFL if he falls outside of the top 50, but there is no on-field excuse not to select him later on Thursday night or early Friday evening.
