CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES
RANKING THE VIKINGS NEEDS
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN’S DRAFT TRADES
VIKINGS TARGETS
LUKE INMAN’S MOCK DRAFTS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL
FEATURES FROM OUR STAFF
LLOYD CUSHENBERRY III
HEIGHT/WEIGHT/AGE
6-foot-3
310 pounds
22 years old
BIG PICTURE
A solid center on LSU’s championship offensive line, former three-star recruit Lloyd Cushenberry III will be out to prove that his sophomore season was the real deal and his junior season was an anomaly. His analytics declined last season despite LSU’s title and elite quarterback play. Measured with big hands and a long wingspan at the combine. Was extremely durable each of the last two seasons.
COMBINE NOTABLES
5.27 40-yard dash
25 bench reps
VIKINGS COMPATIBILITY RANKING
1.5 out of 10. It’s tough to see the Vikings taking a center unless they have other intentions for Garrett Bradbury.
HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT DRAFT EXPERTS SAY
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: “Starting-caliber center with big hands, long arms and good core strength to match power on power when needed. Cushenberry isn’t rigid or stiff, but he does have some limitations with lateral quickness, which show up against athletic edge rushers and with potential run game limitations in space. He’s extremely difficult to bull-rush and is rarely beaten to the punch in his pass sets. LSU was frequently tasked with five-man protections in its passing scheme, which put Cushenberry on more of an island than he will see as a pro, so scouts should account for that. He’s a do-your-job prospect with the strength to handle an odd-front nose and could be a long-time starter.”
Kyle Crabbs, Draft Network: “Lloyd Cushenberry projects as an NFL starter. Cushenberry possesses tremendous body control, hip mobility, short area quickness and pairs it with a high level of football intelligence. There are currently lapses in his hand placement and footwork at first contact — but once he’s ironed out there he figures to be an effective starter in just about any offensive system in the league. He meets functional strength thresholds and effectively counters upfield attacks from A-gap defenders.”
WHAT PFF SAYS
Declined to 61.0 overall grade as junior
Just 8 pressures allowed as sophomore
Zone grade 62.2 (below average)
CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES
RANKING THE VIKINGS NEEDS
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN’S DRAFT TRADES
VIKINGS TARGETS
LUKE INMAN’S MOCK DRAFTS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL
FEATURES FROM OUR STAFF
