Dolphins Potential Draft Target: G Emil Ekiyor Jr.
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The 2023 NFL draft is quickly approaching.
The Miami Dolphins don’t have a first-round pick (would have been 21st overall) due to tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton, but they do have the 51st overall pick, a third-round pick (85) and two Day 3 picks (198 and 241).
Miami is hoping those picks can help them build on a roster that reached the playoffs this past season for the first time since 2016.
This article series is intended to be an introduction to these players so fans are familiar with a number of options and why they make sense for the Dolphins.
We’ll dive into some simple biographical information, the pros and cons of their game and how they fit into Miami’s scheme or depth chart.
ALABAMA OL EMIL EKIYOR JR.
Basic background: Ekiyor was a highly touted four-star recruit from Indiana before joining the Crimson Tide. ESPN ranked him as the No. 52 overall player in its top 300, and he was slated as the No. 3 overall guard. Ekiyor quickly carved out a role, winning Alabama’s right guard spot in 2020 as a redshirt sophomore. He ended up starting 40 games across three seasons as the team’s primary right guard. He helped the Crimson Tide win the national championship in 2020. Ekiyor’s experience playing on one of the best teams in the country undoubtedly will help him with the jump to the NFL.
Pros of Ekiyor's Game
Ekiyor’s experience playing against the best of the best makes him one of the most battle-tested offensive linemen in this class. In his games against Georgia, he faced first-round picks Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt, along with future first-rounder Jalen Carter. That’s just one SEC team and doesn’t account for all the Alabama players he faced in practice every day. While he didn’t dominate those players, Ekiyor proved he could hold his own. He possesses good quickness for a guard, allowing him to stay in front of speed rushers. His natural size and dense lower half make him tough to move backward with power rushes. He’s also an aggressive, powerful run blocker. When he plays with good leverage, he can drive even the stoutest defensive linemen off their spot. Alabama went through several offensive coordinator changes while Ekiyor was there, giving him experience in multiple schemes. Ekiyor’s combination of solid natural tools and starting experience makes it easy to see him starting early in his NFL career.
Cons of Ekiyor's Game
While Ekiyor’s movement skills are solid, they are not elite. Pass rushers with good change-of-direction skills and bend will beat him if he’s left alone on an island. Additionally, he’s limited when blocking in space. The biggest concern with Ekiyor’s game is his lack of balance and body control. He likes to lunge at defenders to try to control them with his power. When he lands his hands, it works out. However, NFL-caliber defenders will have more counters for him. Ekiyor’s tendency to lunge leaves him top-heavy, and he bends at the waist. This gives defenders an opening to use something like a swim move to put him on the ground. Balance can be improved over time, but it’s likely to be an issue throughout his career. It’s the trade-off to Ekiyor’s aggressive demeanor in the running game.
HOW EMIL EKIYOR JR. FITS THE MIAMI DOLPHINS
Ekiyor’s fit with the Dolphins is quite simple. Miami needs an upgrade at guard, and Ekiyor could be one. The Dolphins need someone to fill and improve the play of the left guard spot this season.
Ekiyor’s ability to be a people mover in the running game and experience playing against high-level competition at least give him a chance to come in and be a serviceable guard in his rookie season.
His pass-protection skills need some work, but he’s good enough in that area to compete with players like Liam Eichenberg and Austin Jackson. If Miami can clean up his balance issues, there’s no reason he can’t be a long-term starter.
Additionally, Ekiyor could even provide some versatility. Some recruiting outlets pegged him as a center in high school, and he took reps there at the 2023 Senior Bowl. Starting him there from Day 1 isn’t likely, but having that ability makes him more valuable in the long run.
Ekiyor should have no problem playing in Miami’s heavy-zone scheme, and his natural power will help him when the Dolphins mix in power-run concepts.
Chances Ekiyor makes it to 51
Ekiyor getting drafted before pick 51 would be a significant surprise. He’s not considered to be one of the top guards in the 2023 class, and most draft websites have ranked somewhere in the 70 to 100 range overall.
With that said, the Dolphins would be wise to pass on Ekiyor if he’s on the board at 51. Instead, they should consider him if he’s on the board at pick 85. There’s not enough polish or upside in his game to warrant spending a second-round pick on him.
In the third round, Ekiyor’s projection as a low-floor starter makes a lot more sense. Even if Ekiyor is nothing more than an average starter at either guard or center, the Dolphins need that.
He would be an asset in the present and down the road when the Dolphins have to make decisions on the contracts of Connor Williams and Robert Hunt.
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