Draft Analysis: Erik Ezukanma

January 19, 2022 /
  • Height: 6’3″
  • Weight: 220 lbs
  • College: Texas Tech
  • Tape watched: Oklahoma 2020, Texas ’20 + ’21, Houston 2021
  • NFL Comparison: Antonio Gandy-Golden

Pros

  • Physicality
    There are plenty of big receiving options to draft in 2022, few play with as much strength and aggression as Erik Ezukanma. When he locks in, he is a physical force at release, in the blocking game, and at catch point. He is also a terror to bring down with the football.
  • Combat Catches
    Not just a big body receiver, there is grace to Ezukanma in the air. He has nice body control for a 220 lb receiver and as such, puts himself in the most favorable position to complete 50/50 catches. He is excellent with his hand usage and arm strength to keep defenders away. He showed great awareness on back shoulder throws on the sideline, able to shield defenders away and move the chains.
It is nearly impossible to regain balance to adjust to the football with Ezukanma leaning on you for the entire route.
  • Blocking
    If Ezukanma can refine his raw traits and fundamentals, he could be an impact blocking receiver. There are times he tries to land a big hit, when instead mirroring the defender is more than enough. He has such a strong upper and lower body base that when paired with his arm length and drive he could be special.
  • RAC
    For his height and weight, Erik Ezukanma is a weapon with the football. Very rarely tackled on first contact, Ezukanma runs with purpose and power. He doesn’t hesitate when finding run lanes and follows blockers well. Some of his runs after first contact are silly, with defenders bouncing off of him like children.

Midline

  • Hands
    Overall a strong suit for Ezukanma, drops show up occasionally. For a receiver of his style, he won’t last long in the NFL with drop issues. Ezukanma has incredibly strong hands and sticks the football on first contact. He rarely lets the ball into his body. He shows great concentration in the air, but underneath he tends to want to run before securing the ball, leading to drops.

Cons

  • Route Running
    Not a notable burner or deceptive route runner, Ezukanma is a matchup guy. The NFL should be drafting him to dominate single coverage on the perimeter, or to run scheme plays underneath to get him the ball quickly for hard earned yards. He is sometimes too quick to snap his head around on hitches, giving corners that extra time to break on the football.

    His route tree at Texas Tech was less than ideal, but extremely effective and consistent. Quick slants, Screens, and hitches/fades are Erik Ezukanma’s bread and butter.
A great example of how strong Erik Ezukanma is through his route. If he can develop more than the vertical route, he has some extremely desirable traits.
  • Separation
    Your typical 200+ lb receiver usually isn’t praised for his ability to create separation. Ezukanma is no different, as he lacks true deep speed and agility to separate in route breaks.
  • Release
    In press coverage Ezukanma won exclusively with his upper body strength. His tools include jab steps or more simply a straight release with a punch to the defensive back. He won’t be able to bully his way through his routes as much at the next level, so there may be development time needed for Ezukanma to effectively find the field.

Overview

Ezukanma profiles as a grinder type receiver, one who can be relied on to do the dirty work. He has the traits to be an immediate difference maker on special teams if he is willing. At receiver, he is an above average redzone target with his jumping and ball skill ability. Separation and technique details will be big question marks for teams.