Scouting Report: Cody Whitehair

Cody Whitehair is a 50 game starter with experience at both guard and tackle. The senior offensive lineman and team captain for the Wildcats displays veteran leadership with good awareness and an exceptional work ethic. Whitehair brings a tough, physical attitude and non-stop competitiveness from snap through the whistle.

Cody Whitehair | OG, Kansas State

Measurements

Height: 6-4
Weight: 305
Age: 23

At A Glance

First Team All-Big 12. Academic All-Big 12. Kansas State Offensive co-MVP. Honorable Mention Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year. Preseason Outland Trophy Watch List.

Projected Round

Late 1st or early 2nd round.

Pros

Versatile enough to play anywhere along the offensive line.

Ideal frame for an offensive guard. Wide base and anchors well against power rushers.

Technically sound with great balance and low hips.

Uses his wide base effectively to block edge rushers.

Great hand placement. Always up high and inside to control defenders.

High Football IQ showing good pre-snap awareness to quickly pick up stunts and blitzes.

Quick and powerful punch with good arm extension.

Impressive in pass protection and effective as a run blocker.

Shows ability to make second level blocks.

Great attitude and appears to love the game of football.

Cons

23 years old. Will turn 24 before the season starts.

Not a sudden or explosive athlete with only average lateral quickness.

Will need to add more nastiness and aggression at the next level.

Short arms and can be forced back on his heels if defenders get into his body and straightens him up.

NFL Player Comparison

Zach Martin, Dallas Cowboys
Martin has more athletic ability, but Whitehair has a similar wide base to control the point of attack. Both were successful left tackles in college yet have the prototypical frame to play guard in the NFL.

The Vikings Slant

Cody Whitehair is one of my favorite seniors prospects in this class because he is one of the safest picks boasting the confidence and talent to be a day one starter. While not physically gifted with the length or lateral foot work of a left tackle,  Whitehair dominated on the blind side using great hand technique and body positioning. At the NFL level however, he will most certainly move inside to the guard position which just happens to be hole the Vikings need to fill.

Brandon Fusco struggled at left guard in 2015 after playing well at right guard in 2014. Priority number one for the Vikings should be to move Fusco back to the right side and select a left guard early in the draft. Whitehair is a rugged technician with a quick set-up and excellent balance to go with good functional strength and leverage. He is a strong run blocker and even better in pass protection making him an ideal fit in Minnesota.

Whitehair played well against Shawn Oakman this year, using his low center of gravity and wide base to limit him to just three tackles and 0 sacks.

Most analysts have him graded as a second round pick, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Whitehair sneak into the late first round. Rick Spielman likes to move back and collect additional draft picks, so this would be the ideal scenario for Rick to do his thing while also targeting the best left guard prospect in the draft.

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