Ajani Cornelius OT Oregon | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Ajani Cornelius OT Oregon
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: Right Tackle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/20/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.15 seconds (73%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: Right Tackle | |
| Last Updated: 09/20/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 5.15 seconds (73%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 83.5 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
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84% |
| Run Blocking: |
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74% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#98
Position rank:
#22
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| College Games: 48 College Snaps: 3087 | ||
247 RATING: 92/100
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Caedan Wallace - Penn State |
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92% |
| Matthew Bergeron - Syracuse |
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87% |
| Tyler Steen - Alabama |
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84% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Ajani Cornelius burst onto the national scene in 2023 as a key cog in Oregon's offensive line machine. The 6'5", 308-pound tackle transferred from Rhode Island and immediately solidified the right side of the Ducks' front, earning All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors in his lone season in Eugene. Cornelius's journey began at Archbishop Stepinac High School in New York, where he led his team to back-to-back state championships and earned Catholic High School Football League AAA Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior.After a redshirt year at Rhode Island in 2020, Cornelius quickly became a mainstay on the Rams' offensive line. He started all 11 games at right tackle in both 2021 and 2022, earning first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors in his sophomore campaign. His dominant performance caught the eye of Power 5 programs, leading to his transfer to Oregon for the 2023 season.
At Oregon, Cornelius took his game to new heights. He started all 14 games at right tackle, anchoring an offensive line that led the nation with just five sacks allowed. Cornelius himself didn't surrender a single sack in 512 pass-blocking snaps. His stellar play was instrumental in Oregon's high-powered offense, which led the nation in passing (346.9 YPG) and ranked second in total offense (531.4 YPG).
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Elite pass protection skills, allowing zero sacks and just 11 total pressures in 512 pass-blocking snaps during the 2023 season
- Exceptional length and reach, enabling him to engage defenders early and control the point of attack
- Impressive lateral agility for his size, allowing him to mirror speed rushers and maintain proper positioning
- Powerful base and anchor, consistently stonewalling bull rushers and maintaining a clean pocket
- High football IQ, demonstrating excellent awareness in picking up stunts and blitzes
- Versatile run blocker, excelling in both gap and zone schemes with the ability to drive defenders off the ball
- Nasty finisher who plays through the whistle and looks to dominate opponents on every snap
- Durable performer who started every game over his last three collegiate seasons, showcasing reliability and toughness
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks elite athleticism, which could be exposed against top-tier NFL edge rushers in space
- Hand placement can be inconsistent at times, leading to occasional losses in leverage battles
- May struggle initially with the speed of the NFL game, particularly when asked to reach block in the run game
- Lower body flexibility is adequate but not exceptional, potentially limiting his ability to recover against counter moves
- Limited experience against elite competition, having played just one season at the Power 5 level
Scouting Report: Summary
Cornelius projects as a solid day-two draft pick with the potential to develop into a reliable starting right tackle in the NFL. His exceptional pass protection skills and versatility in the run game make him an attractive prospect for teams employing a balanced offensive scheme. While he may need some time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the pro game, Cornelius's intelligence and work ethic suggest he'll be able to make the necessary improvements.In the NFL, Cornelius is likely to find success in an offense that emphasizes quick passing and zone running concepts, allowing him to maximize his strengths in pass protection and lateral movement. His ability to anchor against power rushers will be valuable in passing situations, while his nasty streak in the run game will endear him to coaches looking to establish a physical identity up front.
As he continues to refine his technique and adjust to the NFL's elite edge rushers, Cornelius has the potential to develop into a dependable starter and possibly even a Pro Bowl-caliber right tackle. His combination of size, technique, and football IQ makes him a low-risk, high-reward prospect who should contribute early in his career while offering significant long-term upside.
Written By:
Lennox Tate
How other scouting services rate Ajani Cornelius (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
93.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
19.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.