Eli Cox NFL Draft 2025 Scouting Report for Houston Texans IOL

The Houston Texans added Kentucky IOL Eli Cox as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL draft.

Eli Cox is a four-year starting center and right guard under four different offensive coordinators and line coaches including 12 starts in 2024 inside Kentucky's run-heavy (59-41 run-pass split), zone-based run scheme with gap principles sprinkled in. Cox has a sawed off frame with a well-rounded, lean build, good athletic ability, solid play strength and adequate power.

Cox wins as a run blocker with a firm grasp of the play's intent, solid play strength, good athletic ability and tight hand placement that gets him into his fits balanced and under control before running his feet to dig out opponents. He does a nice job with spacing and timing on combinations to minimize penetration with the burst to intersect backers on his climb. He also strains and is a persistent, high-effort finisher that allow him to dump leaning defenders once or twice a game. Cox's middling arm length and power can lead to him getting initially compressed on solo drive blocks while his short strike radius gets him edged when his placement and timing aren't perfect against slants and gap exchanges.

Eli Cox Highlights

00:56

In pass protection Cox is a heads up, alert presence with crafty hand-fighting skills and enough play strength to die slowly in his anchor when he wins initial leverage. He will get gradually walked back and pried open when isolated against power down the middle and give up his edges quickly against sub-package rushers crossing his face.

Overall, Cox is a sawed off, experienced center prospect with middling power but proven versatility in his background at both guard spots in several schemes with good athletic ability and enough play strength to eventually carve out a role inside a zone-based run scheme.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 306

HAND: 9¼"

ARM: 31"

WINGSPAN: 77⅝"

40-YARD DASH: 5.02

3-CONE: 7.63

SHUTTLE: 4.58

VERTICAL: 32.5"

BROAD: 9'1"

POSITIVES

— Efficient mover with good quickness and agility.

— Solid play strength with tight hand placement and good strain to frame up and dig out opponents in the post, on overtakes and angle-drive blocks.

— Fluidly negotiates spacing and positioning on combinations to stay attached, release and intersect backers on climbs.

— Understands spacing and depth in pass protection to overlap guards on slides to cover gaps, diagnose loopers and sort games.

— Plays with good natural leverage and active, independent hands in pass protection to strike, latch and keep his head out of the block

— Brings renowned work ethic, leadership skills and extensive experience across the interior

NEGATIVES

— Sawed off frame with below average power leads to him getting compressed, pried open and edged when isolated.

— Struggles to strike, press and widen defenders off of his edges, leaving him vulnerable to getting slipped across his face.

— Older prospect who turns 25-years old during the 2025 season.

NOTES

— Born Oct. 19, 2000

— 3-star recruit from the 2019 class per 247Sports

— Suffered a season-ending hand injury in 2021 after starting the first nine games

— Two-time team captain

— 47 career starts at center (35) and right guard (12) with appearances at left guard

— Had four offensive line coaches and coordinators during his college career

— Inducted into the Frank G. Ham Society of Character in 2023 which is for Kentucky students that demonstrate extraordinary commitment to academic excellence, athletic participation, personal development, career preparation and serving as a role model

GRADE: 6.3 (Developmental Prospect - 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 191

POSITION RANK: IOL21

PRO COMPARISON: Jarrett Patterson

Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn