Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan: 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Chukwuma Okorafor or “Chukes” doesn’t have the name recognition some of the other offensive lineman in this class do, but that won’t stop him from potentially being one of the best in it.
Chukwuma Okorafor, a 2014 three-star recruit, grew up in Nigeria before he moved to Southfield, Michigan. Okorafor committed to Western Michigan where he started for three full seasons (2015-2017).
Okorafor played his freshman and sophomore seasons at right tackle, but in his junior and senior seasons, the Broncos moved him to left tackle.
Largely coveted for his big frame and athleticism, Okorafor also racked up accolades for his production including All-MAC 1st team his junior and senior year. Chukes was also named a 1st team all-American by the FWAA, and a 2nd team Walter Camp All-American for his 2017 campaign.
Western Michigan had two players selected in the first two rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft: Wide receiver Corey Davis in the first round by the Tennessee Titans and offensive tackle Taylor Moton in the second round by the Carolina Panthers. Western Michigan’s recent success kept Okorafor on scouts radar entering the 2018 NFL Draft.
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Okorafor has accepted an invitation to play in the 2018 Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, but will not play due to a minor injury.
Measurables
Height: 6’6
Weight: 330
Strengths
Okorafor biggest strength lies in his athleticism and potential. Scouts are enamored with his enormous stature and natural strength and speed. Physical traits like the ones Chukes possesses are unteachable and are the exact blueprints NFL teams want in their starting tackles.
Chukes familiarity playing both right and left tackle gives him a sense of versatility that some of the other top tackle prospects in this class lack.
Growing up playing soccer in Nigeria, Okorafor has good footwork and can get off the snap quickly to engage his blocks. Superior hand strength and long arms keep opposing defensive lineman at bay.
In the video below, you can see Okorafor’s (#77) footwork and ability to keep the defensive lineman in front of him to let this wide-receiver pass play develop.
Okorafor has solid pass-blocking technique, he uses his natural size as a roadblock and has good awareness off the snap. Okorafor’s run blocking seems to be more polished, he does a good job holding blocks and using his forward momentum to clear holes for the running back.
Weaknesses
Despite Chukes athleticism, he struggles to display good flexibility and bend. Too many times after popping up after the snap is he caught standing straight up. This lets defensive lineman bully him back to the quarterback in passing situations too often for NFL teams liking.
Okorafor needs to work on his overall aggressiveness at the position. He displays the traits scouts want, but is missing a certain fire that he will need to compete with the Von Miller and Khalil Mack’s of the next level.
Overall
Okorafor’s potential outweighs some of the criticisms about his aggressiveness. NFL coaches love to mold capable athletes and Okorafor has all the tools to be a long-term starter at tackle. Okorafor earns a late 1st round-mid 2nd round grade and will get a chance to make an impact early in his career.