Where NC State OT Anthony Belton is projected to be selected in the NFL Draft
NC State is starting to become known as a program that develops players in the trenches and churning out NFL-caliber linemen has become almost commonplace for the Wolfpack, a program with 12 such draft picks since 2018.
It seems like that number will grow this week as offensive tackle Anthony Belton is expected to hear his name called this weekend.
When he does, it will mark the fourth straight year an NC State offensive lineman has been selected. Belton is set to join tackle Ikem Ekwonu (sixth overall to the Carolina Panthers in 2022), guard Chandler Zavala (114th overall to the Carolina Panthers in 2023) and center Dylan McMahon (190th overall to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024).
Here are the latest mock draft projections going into the NFL Draft, which begins Thursday night at 8 p.m in Green Bay, Wisc. The second and third rounds are set to begin Friday at 7 p.m. before the final four rounds kick off on Saturday at noon.
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NFL.com’s Chad Reuter – third round, No 67 overall, to the Cleveland Browns
“Belton is an enormous tackle with good power and long arms,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote in his scouting report. “He can bulldoze the roads clean for running backs but needs to play with better hand placement to sustain his early lead. Belton has the length to shove rushers up and around the pocket but his punch timing is inconsistent and he lacks the body control to consistently respond to inside counters. If a team can steady his feet and improve his hand placement, he could become a solid starter at right tackle, but he will need some help from time to time.”
ESPN’s Jordan Reid – third round, No. 79 overall, to the Houston Texans
“Belton is a punishing blocker with the positional flexibility to play guard and tackle,” Reid wrote. “He would give the Texans’ revamped offensive line depth at multiple spots.”
Bleacher Report – third round, No. 96 overall, to the Philadelphia Eagles
Pro Football Focus – third round, No. 101 overall, to the Los Angeles Rams
“Both tackle spots are settled for the near future, but the depth behind them after the Rams let Joe Noteboom walk in free agency is worrisome,” PFF’s team of mock draft analysts wrote. “Enter Anthony Belton, a massive tackle prospect with solid traits they can slot in as a serviceable swing tackle as he develops to lock down one of those spots long term. He recorded a 76th-percentile PFF pass-blocking grade (87.3) in 2024.”
