If you’ve spent any time watching the SEC over the last few years, you’ve probably seen No. 75 in blue move people against their will. That’s Eli Cox. He isn't just another body on the "Big Blue Wall" at Kentucky. He basically was the wall. Honestly, when people talk about the Eli Cox NFL draft outlook, they often overlook how rare it is to find a guy with 47 career starts in the most brutal conference in college football.
He's a local kid. Born in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Grew up a Wildcats fan. He didn't just play for Kentucky; he lived it. Cox was a three-star recruit coming out of West Jessamine High School. He wasn't some blue-chip prospect with thirty offers. Kentucky was his only Power Five look.
That chip on his shoulder? It's real.
The Stats That Actually Matter
Scouts love measurables, and Cox delivered. He stands 6-foot-4. He weighs in at 306 pounds. But the numbers that really pop are from his athletic testing. We're talking about a 9.90 Relative Athletic Score (RAS). That’s not just "good for a center." That is elite. Out of nearly 700 centers tracked since 1987, he’s in the top ten.
He ran a 5.02-second 40-yard dash. For a man that size, that’s moving. His vertical was 32.5 inches.
Most people don't realize how much the Eli Cox NFL draft stock depends on that explosiveness. He isn't just a "stationary" blocker. He can pull. He can get to the second level. He can find a linebacker in space and ruin their afternoon. In 2024, he allowed exactly zero sacks. Not one. That’s over 768 snaps of high-level SEC football.
Versatility or Specialization?
Cox started 35 games at center and 12 at right guard. Coaches love that. If you're a backup in the NFL, you have to play multiple spots. But if you’re a starter? You want a guy who owns the pivot.
Cox is a "center-first" prospect. He’s the guy making the calls. He’s the one identifying the Mike linebacker and setting the protection. His "assignment grade" was a ridiculous 99% last season. Basically, he almost never makes a mental mistake.
What the Scouts Are Whispering
Is he perfect? No. Nobody is. The big knock on the Eli Cox NFL draft profile is "play strength." Sometimes he gets bullied by the 340-pound nose tackles who just want to bull rush him into the quarterback's lap. He’s got 31-inch arms. That’s short. In the NFL, if a defensive tackle gets his hands on your chest first because he has longer arms, you’re usually in trouble.
But look at who he models his game after: Frank Ragnow of the Detroit Lions. Ragnow is a technician. He’s nasty. Cox tries to play with that same edge, even if he doesn't have the prototypical "massive" frame.
- Scheme Fit: He’s a dream for a zone-blocking team.
- The "Big Pinky" Incident: In 2021, he was a Midseason All-American at guard before a freak finger injury ended his year. He literally ripped a tendon off the bone while jersey-grabbing. It shows the kind of violent force he plays with, even if it cost him half a season.
- The Houston Connection: Interestingly, Cox signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in May 2025. He was reunited with Zach Yenser, his old O-line coach from Kentucky.
Why He Slipped to Undrafted
It’s a bit of a mystery why he didn't go in the 5th or 6th round. Mel Kiper Jr. had him as a top-10 center. Some scouts thought he’d be a Day 3 lock. Maybe it was the arm length. Maybe it was the age—he’s 25 now.
But the Texans gave him a $250,000 guarantee. That is "we really want you" money for an undrafted guy. You don't give a quarter-million dollars to a "camp body." You give it to a guy you think can actually play on Sundays.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you’re tracking interior offensive linemen, keep these specific traits in mind for Cox’s professional trajectory:
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- Watch the Hand Placement: Since his arms are shorter, he has to be faster with his punch. If his hands are wide, he loses. If they’re inside, he wins.
- The Zone Scheme Advantage: He is significantly better when he’s moving laterally rather than trying to drive-block a massive human straight backward.
- Practice Squad to Active Roster: Don't be surprised if he spends time on the practice squad before becoming a reliable "swing" interior backup. His intelligence makes him an easy plug-and-play option if an injury hits.
The Eli Cox NFL draft journey didn't end with a podium call, but his path from a three-star local recruit to an elite athletic tester in the pros is exactly why you don't bet against guys from the Big Blue Wall. He has the tape, the brains, and the athletic profile to stick in the league for a long time.
Keep an eye on his development in a zone-heavy system. His ability to reach-block and climb to the second level remains his "calling card" in the pros. If he can add a bit more functional bulk without losing that 5.02 speed, he could easily develop into a spot-starter or a high-end interior reserve.
The transition from college center to NFL pro is more about the neck up than the neck down. Cox has the mental side of the game solved. Now, it’s just about proving the "play strength" doubters wrong one more time.
Next Steps for Evaluation: Study the Texans' preseason film from 2025 to see how Cox handles "0-technique" nose tackles in passing situations. Look specifically at his "anchor"—does he give ground immediately, or can he sit down and stop the bull rush? This will be the definitive factor in whether he transitions from a practice squad staple to a gameday active.