From now until the 2022 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, I’ll be profiling a wide receiver the Steelers should be familiar with for the ACC and the East-West Shrine Bowl in North Carolina State’s Emeka Emezie.
#86 Emeka Emezie, WR, NORTH CAROLINA STATE (RS Senior) — 6024, 212 lbs.
Event Name —Big, physical receiver with a wide catch radius —Struggles to consistently create separation overall as a route runner despite technical strength as a route runner —Four-year starter for North Carolina State that played in 57 career games for the Wolfpack over five seasons
2022 East-West Shrine BowlMeasurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan Emeka Emezie 6024/212 9″ 32 6/8″ 76 2/8″ 40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press The Good
—Good overall body control to box out defenders, make plays on the football
—Physical weapon at the catch point overall; thrives in contested-catch situations, used often on jump-ball/back shoulder throws
—Flashed good wiggle and power after the catch to make plays with the football in his hands
—Sound overall ball skills, consistently plucks the football out of the air
—Knows how to create and utilize leverage in his routes; great feel for it overall
—Plays like a true alpha in the air; believes every ball thrown his way is his
—Strong blocker on the boundary that engulfs defenders and moves them off the spot
—Won’t threaten defenses over the top with vertical speed; more of a build-up runner
—Lacks suddenness into and out of his breaks, allowing defenders to recover quickly at top of routes
—Got away with a lot of physicality at the top of his routes in college; very physical overall with clear pushoffs at times, could be called a lot in NFL
—Explosion off the line is missing, allowing guys to get hands on him, disrupting timing
—Hauled in 229 career passes for 2,985 yards and 19 touchdowns; set all-time career record for receptions at NC State
—Set a career-high for receptions in a single game with 14 against Clemson in 2021
—Second Team All-ACC in 2021; Honorable Mention All-ACC in 2020
—Named NC State’s Torry Holt Award Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Year in 2020
—Competed in the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas; former top 100 WR nationally by Rivals.