ChrisXVI

For those who like to keep track of players we meet with prior to the draft...There was no reported meetings between the Saints and McCoy.

lee909

Player Bio
McCoy was not highly recruited despite earning second-team all-state honors at Lufkin High School in Texas. Aggies coaches saw enough to give him a scholarship, however, and he worked himself into a three-year starter. He redshirted in 2015 before earning the starting center spot for all 13 contests in 2016. McCoy started all 13 games for A&M in 2017, as well, 11 at center and two at guard. He was a team captain in 2018, again starting all 13 games in the middle of the offensive line called the "Maroon Goons."


Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst

Draft Projection
Round 2

NFL Comparison
Corey Linsley

Overview
Teams typically hunt for centers with the traits to withstand power or athleticism depending on their divisional competition. McCoy comes gift-wrapped in a thick, strong frame and proved he could hold up to both power (Dexter Lawrence) and athleticism (Quinnen Williams). He has some limitations in space, but he possesses more than enough body control and agility to compete on work-ups and cut-off blocks. With his ability match against base and sub-packages, McCoy could carry Day 2 draft value as a future starter.


Strengths
Good girth in rear and legs with well-built arms
Started all three-seasons at Texas A&M
Solid performances against talented interior defenders from Clemson and Alabama
Unlocks and snaps hips into angle blocks to seal gap
Body control to fit and stick to A-gap rushers
Generates some movement
Loose hips to bump and climb to tough angles
Good effort to maintain leverage/positioning on lateral blocks
Possesses pop in well-timed punch
Re-sets hands with "boxing" ability in pass sets
Plays with good stickiness in pass mirror
Low center of gravity with strong rush anchor
Meets and absorbs upfield charge with plus contact balance


Weaknesses
Lack of length limits ability to sustain move blocks
Base gets too wide in some pass sets
Plays with some forward lean into pass mirror
A little slow with head swivel when scanning in pass pro tection

Has to stay patient rather than lunge at target
Inside arm wraps around second-level linebackers
Average athleticism in space
Below-average pull quickness

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"Two receivers to the left, Garcon to the right. Manning in the shotgun, puts Collie in motion. Looks in his direction...it's picked off! It's picked off! It's Tracy Porter again! He's runnin' free! He's gonna go all the way!

ChrisXVI

ChrisXVI

From Walter Football:

New Orleans Saints: Erik McCoy, C/G, Texas A&M A+ Grade
This is one of the best picks of the draft thus far. There was a team in the teens that was considering Erik McCoy, so to have him drop all the way to No. 48 is a major steal. The Saints needed to replace Max Unger, who retired so unexpectedly. McCoy should fill in very well. The Saints surrendered a 2020 second-round pick to select McCoy, which is not ideal, but they had to do it because McCoy was not dropping to them at the end of this round.

"When you get into one of these groups, there's only a couple of ways you can get out. One, is death; the other, is mental institutions."

lee909

Gil Brandt
✔
@Gil_Brandt
The Saints getting Erik McCoy there is one of the best value picks of the draft so far. He started every game he was available to play at A&M. Can play guard and center equally well. 4.89 40 at the combine w/ 29 lifts

Crusader

I'm never crazy about trading up in the draft but I think this was the right move. Young athletic guy that should help us anchor the OL. With Easton on board too we now have flexibility and a little depth on OL.

The Dude

So when Armstead goes down its going to be interesting to see how they shuffle things around.

jeanpierre

Shift AndrusPeat to LT and insert Will Clapp at LG...

Utah_Saint

I like the pick.

There wasn't much of a chance that Easton was the long term solution at center, McCoy could be. Easton is there to start the first couple games if this guy isn't ready game 1.

That said, we're gonna miss that 2nd round pick next year.

lee909

Mike Triplett
✔
@MikeTriplett
ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay both just said they're surprised Saints C Erik McCoy fell as far as he did. Saints obviously felt the same way. McShay and analyst Louis Riddick described him as a "plug-and-play starter