Joe Cotton OT Cincinnati |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #74 SUB-POSITION: Left Tackle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 5.22 seconds (59%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #74 | |
| SUB-POSITION: Left Tackle | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 5.22 seconds (59%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
75.0 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
|
76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
|
74% |
| Run Blocking: |
|
74% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#403
Position rank:
#58 (OL)
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| College Games: 48 College Snaps: 2776 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Amari Kight - UCF |
|
99% |
| Xavier Truss - Georgia |
|
99% |
| Alex Harkey - Oregon |
|
98% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Joe Cotton was an all-conference and all-state lineman at Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and stayed in state to play at South Dakota of the FCS.Cotton made the conference All-Newcomer team in 2022, then started 27 games at left tackle over the next two seasons, earning second-team all-conference and Phil Steele Freshman All-America honors in 2023. The Coyotes reached the FCS quarterfinals in 2023 and the semifinals in 2024.
He transferred to Cincinnati for 2025, started all 13 games at left tackle, earned All-Big 12 honors and was named Outland Trophy National Player of the Week after the Iowa State game. Back for his final season, Cotton is on the Outland watch list and the Senior Bowl Top 300, and he gave up a single pressure to Texas Tech over 72 snaps. Cincinnati's line was named the Big 12 Offensive Line of the Week after the opener against Boston College.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Held Texas Tech to one pressure over 72 snaps
- Experienced left tackle with more than 45 college starts
- Proven pass protector at both the FCS and Big 12 levels
- Earned Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honors in 2025
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Gave up two sacks to Miami (Ohio) in one afternoon
- Has drawn three penalties in eight games this season
- Average athlete for a blind-side tackle in the NFL
- Run blocking lacks consistency against stronger defensive ends
- Allowed 17 pressures over 13 games in 2025
Scouting Report: Summary
Cotton has made a smooth climb from the FCS to the Big 12 and has been a steady presence at left tackle for two seasons. He sets with patience, has strong hands and kept Texas Tech's rush quiet over a long afternoon.However, his athleticism is only average for a left tackle, and he is not a consistent run blocker. Miami (Ohio) got two sacks against him, and he gave up 17 pressures in 2025.
Overall, Cotton is a smart, experienced tackle with a long record of starts. He projects as a priority free agent who could earn a backup role at either tackle spot.
How other scouting services rate Joe Cotton (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
351.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
66.0
*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.