Anthony Belton OT North Carolina State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Anthony Belton OT North Carolina State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: Left Tackle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 07/01/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.37 seconds (28%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: Left Tackle | |
| Last Updated: 07/01/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 5.37 seconds (28%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 84.7 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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74% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
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75% |
| Run Blocking: |
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64% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#88
Position rank:
#15
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| College Games: 27 College Snaps: 1468 | ||
ESPN RATING: 75/100
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247 RATING: 83/100
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Matt Goncalves - Pittsburgh |
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83% |
| Tyler Steen - Alabama |
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79% |
| Blake Fisher - Notre Dame |
|
73% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Hailing from Georgia, Belton's journey to the ACC powerhouse began at Georgia Military Academy, where he honed his skills before transferring to the Wolfpack. His imposing presence on the field has earned him the fitting nickname "Escalade" from his teammates.Belton's college career has been marked by steady progression and notable achievements. In 2023, he started every game at left tackle, showcasing his durability and consistency. His performance was highlighted by an impressive 51 pancake blocks, tying for the team lead. A standout game against UNC saw him deliver a career-high nine pancakes. These efforts culminated in a third-team All-ACC selection, cementing his status as one of the conference's top offensive linemen.
Prior to his breakout 2023 season, Belton had already made his mark. In 2022, he stepped into the crucial role of replacing first-round draft pick Ickey Ekwonu at left tackle, starting the first eight games. His journey at NC State began in 2021 when he enrolled early and saw limited action in two games. Belton's rapid ascent from JUCO transfer to ACC standout is a testament to his work ethic and raw talent.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional size and length, providing a formidable barrier for pass rushers to navigate around
- Impressive hand usage, demonstrating the ability to control and neutralize defenders effectively
- Quick feet for his size, allowing him to mirror pass rushers and maintain proper positioning
- Strong anchor in pass protection, rarely getting bull-rushed or overpowered by defenders
- Excellent at initiating contact and establishing leverage in the run game
- Versatility to excel in both zone and gap blocking schemes
- High football IQ, consistently identifying and picking up stunts and blitzes
- Durable performer, as evidenced by his high snap count and starting every game in 2023
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Inconsistent pad level, sometimes playing too high and sacrificing leverage against smaller, quicker defenders
- Needs to improve hand placement, occasionally landing outside the defender's frame and drawing penalties
- Can struggle with speed rushers who threaten his outside shoulder, requiring better kick-slide technique
- Must develop a more consistent mean streak to finish blocks and dominate opponents throughout the game
- Room for improvement in lower body flexibility to enhance lateral agility and recovery ability
Scouting Report: Summary
Belton projects as a high-ceiling prospect with the potential to develop into a reliable starting tackle at the NFL level. His combination of size, strength, and improving technique makes him an intriguing option for teams looking to bolster their offensive line. While he may need time to refine his skills against elite edge rushers, Belton's physical tools and coachability suggest he could thrive in a zone-blocking scheme.In the NFL, Belton's immediate impact may come as a powerful run blocker, where his size and strength can create immediate lanes. His pass protection skills, while promising, may require some development to consistently handle the speed and variety of rushes he'll face at the next level.
Overall, Anthony Belton represents a tantalizing blend of size, power, and potential. While he may not be a day-one starter for every NFL team, his ceiling is that of a long-term solution at tackle for a franchise willing to invest in his development.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
How other scouting services rate Anthony Belton (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
81.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
16.0
*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.