Mekhi Wingo NFL Draft Overview
The best NFL draft pipeline in the state of Louisiana is Louisiana State University, bar none. The school has produced countless NFL legends and quality starters for decades while dominating the SEC. Once again, the bayou has fulfilled us NFL Draft junkies with another intriguing prospect named Mekhi Wingo. Wingo was a three-star recruit out of Saint Louis, Missouri, who was committed to the University of Missouri Tigers. At Mizzou, Wingo was a rotation player, which led to his transfer to LSU. Wingo was a full-time starter for two years at LSU when healthy, missing five games this past year. Over his time at LSU, Mingo amassed 71 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. Wingo got better every year he played. However, was it enough to end Ted’s first-round consideration? Let’s dig into the film!
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6’1 (Unofficial)
Weight: 295 lbs (Unofficial)
Age: 20 years old
School: Louisiana State University
Mekhi Wingo Player Evaluation
Wingo’s Strengths
- Has a very explosive NFL Caliber First step. Gets off the ball in a hurry with a strike-first mentality and low pad level.
- When unleashed can make plays in the backfield in pursuit.
- Because of his outstanding first step and pad level, he is good at stacking and shedding offensive linemen.
- Also can hold ground very solidly vs one-on-one blocks.
- He has good Movement skills and quickness for his size. Good flexibility in hips.
- He is very good at providing pass rush while looping and stunting, opening up his peers.
- He makes hustle plays down the line of scrimmage.
- He is an effective bull rusher vs. interior offensive lineman, but he is best when attacking outside.
- He is a flexible pass rusher as he can rush from 0 technique to outside 5
- He got better yearly, and the best football is still ahead of him.
- He has an excellent motor to get sacks and pressure late in the down. Shows flashes of hand usage and pass rush plan.
Wingo’s Weakness
- Short for the position and may display short arms on film.
- He has to rely on great get-offs due to possible short arms allowing blockers to get to his body first.
- Pass rush plan and hand usage are still a work in progress.
- He is not a three-down starter until the pass rush is developed.
- Can sometimes struggle vs. Double teams and get knocked back
- Lacks star upside—projects as a quality starter as a player.
Projection: Third Round Pick
NFL Comparison: DJ Jones
Best Fits: Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, and the New York Jets.
Bottom Line
Mekhi Wingo is a talented Defensive lineman prospect with a serviceable floor and a future starting ceiling. Wingo has an explosive first step, powerful hands, great motor, and surprisingly great quickness for a player his size. However, Wingo’s lack of mass, pass-rush rawness, and lack of superstar upside slide him down my board. My NFL pro comparison was Denver Broncos and DJ Jones. DJ had similar issues in college but quickly adapted to the NFL like I expect Wingo to do. Jones is now a starter for one of the best defenses in the NFL with his power, quickness, and motor skills. Wingo can play on my team any day. Early Round WR Film Study Main Photo Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY SportsMore must-reads: