From an incredibly underrated team in 2021, the NC State 2022 NFL Draft prospects are set to possibly make early waves in the NFL, according to their scouting reports. Highlighting the group is left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, but the talent available on the Wolfpack roster is extensive. Emeka Emezie and Zonovan Knight could make early impacts in their NFL careers. Here are the full scouting reports from NC State with eyes toward the 2022 NFL Draft.
NC State 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Ekwonu is very much in the running to be the first overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. An underrated offensive unit from a season ago may also see their star receiver selected, as Emezie was silently dominant at the 2022 Shrine Bowl. Meanwhile, Knight’s versatile play may see him coveted as a change-of-pace back.
Emeka Emezie, WR
Positives: Consistent receiver with exceptional size. Immediately releases off the line of scrimmage, finds the soft spot in the underneath coverage, and possesses outstanding eye/hand coordination. Extends his hands to snatch the ball away from his frame and adjusts to grab errant throws from the air.
Tracks the pass in the air, gets vertical in a crowd, and comes away with the difficult catch. Sharp exiting breaks, stays low, and positions himself to make the reception and immediately turn upfield. Gives effort blocking downfield and stays with assignments.
Negatives: Needs to steady the ball against his frame. Plays to one speed and lacks any sort of downfield burst.
Analysis: Emezie is a hard-working receiver who gets the most from his ability and does the little things well. His inability to separate with speed or quickness is worrisome. But Emezie possesses the tools to make an NFL roster as a fifth receiver and third-down or red-zone target.
Ikem Ekwonu, OL
Positives: Large, explosive, and violent lineman who is best in a smaller area. Quickly sets up off the snap, devastates opponents with a jolt of his hands, and destroys defenders at the line of scrimmage. Stays square, easily seals defenders from the action, and plays nasty football.
Patient in pass protection, flashes footwork, and makes outstanding use of blocking angles. Keeps his head on a swivel, always looks for someone to hit, and dominates opponents. Blocks down and engulfs defenders altogether.
Negatives: Not quick out to the second level and minimally effective blocking in motion. Struggles to adjust and isn’t agile. Has difficulty handling speedy, agile pass rushers.
Analysis: Ekwonu is highly regarded in many areas of the draft world after he improved his game last season. Fundamentally sound, incredibly strong, and outstanding with his hands, he consistently obliterates opponents at the point of attack.
I question his ability to hold down the left tackle spot in the NFL or even be used in anything other than a small area. I believe Ekwonu could be an exceptional power-gap lineman at guard or possibly right tackle.
Want more information on Ekwonu? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Ikem Ekwonu, NC State OL | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Ricky Person, RB
Positives: Well-built ball carrier who displays outstanding power in his game. Patient, finds the running lanes, and consistently runs north/south. Rarely brought down by a single defender, breaks tackles to pick up yardage off initial contact, and carries the pile. Falls forward for extra yardage. Solid pass catcher out of the backfield who adjusts to errant throws and grabs the ball with his hands. Keeps the play in bounds after the catch. Helps the quarterback sell ball fakes and shows outstanding blocking vision.
Negatives: Lacks the speed and quickness to turn the corner. Does not show any sort of burst in his game. Cannot quickly cut back against the grain and loses a lot of momentum trying to alter the angle of runs. Has an injury history.
Analysis: Person is a downhill, short-yardage ball carrier who is also effective as a pass catcher and blocker. He comes with speed and quickness limitations as well as a medical history that will raise red flags.
Tyrone Riley, OL
Positives: Former defensive lineman who showed a lot of progress at offensive tackle the past three seasons. Strong, squares into defenders, and easily turns them from the action. Possesses a thick lower body, bends his knees, and anchors at the point of attack. Keeps his head on a swivel and stays with blocking responsibilities. Effective with his hands and knocks defenders from the action with a strong punch.
Negatives: Lumbers around the field. Heavy-footed. Struggles to adjust and gets beaten by inside moves.
Analysis: Riley has played both tackle spots for North Carolina State, and he’s a small-area blocker with decent size, long arms, and growth potential. He’s a practice-squad prospect with development potential at right tackle or guard.
Vi Jones, LB
Positives: Athletic linebacker with solid size who flashes ability. Agile, fluid moving laterally to the flanks, and smooth in reverse. Gets depth on pass drops and rarely gets knocked off his feet. Immediately picks up and stays with coverage assignments. Forceful, breaks down well, and displays a variety of moves to get off blocks. Blocked several punts and kicks in the past.
Negatives: Not very active. Never intercepted a pass in college and totaled just over 100 tackles in four years.
Analysis: Jones looks the part and occasionally plays it. Though minimally productive on defense, he is a special-teams demon blocking punts and kicks, which could help him earn a roster spot in the NFL. Jones comes with tremendous upside and will be a good linebacker on Sundays if he pulls the pieces together.
Zonovan Knight, RB
Positives: Consistently productive running back who is effective as a pass catcher. Displays outstanding instincts, works to keep plays alive, and bounces around piles. Displays terrific strength in his running, breaks tackles, and carries defenders for extra yardage. Terrific pass catcher out of the backfield who displays eye/hand coordination, extends his hands, and makes the reception away from his frame. Shows a lot of ability after the catch. Remains disciplined with blocking assignments and shows good blocking vision.
Negatives: Lacks the agility to turn the corner and loses momentum changing the direction of runs. Runs with a bit of an upright style.
Analysis: Knight was consistently productive for North Carolina State the past three seasons and is a nice-sized back who can pick up the tough yardage and effectively be used as a pass catcher.
Want more information on Knight? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Zonovan Knight, NC State RB | NFL Draft Scouting Report