Cody Whitehair - Kansas State Wildecats

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 301 lbs
Year: Senior
Hometown: Abilene, Kansas
Experience: Sr. - 4 year starter

Measurables:

40yd dash: 5.08 s
Broad jump: 110.0 inches
3-cone: 7.32 s
20yd. Shuttle: 4.58 s
Bench Press: 16 reps

Career Notes:

Cody Whitehair showed tremendous versatility and consistency over his four years at Kansas State.  He began his career playing right tackle for the Wildcats before moving inside to guard. He then kicked out to the left side for his final two years, starting a combined 50 games in his career.  Whitehair excels as a run blocker, paving the way for a rushing attack that eclipsed 2,000 yards on the ground in 2015.  He was voted All-Big 12 each of his four years at Kansas State. 

Whitehair shows the ability to play any position along the offensive line in the NFL, but he may be the best interior lineman in the draft.  His coaches at Kansas State praised his work ethic in both the weight and film rooms.  He has an exceptional feel for the game as evident by his versatile skill set.  He lacks the typical size and ferocity of offensive linemen but through commitment and awareness on the field, he has vaulted himself into the first half of the draft.  

Injury Report: 

Cody Whitehair has little significant injury history.

Analysis:

• Run Blocking: 4.5/5.0  Whitehair uses great technique and angles to wall off defenders on run plays.  He doesn't have exceptional strength but rarely misses his assignment.  He consistently reaches his target and is a stalwart at the point of attack.  Whitehair shows great awareness to find defenders at the second level and will have no problem pulling down the line from the guard position.  He'll need to keep his arms inside more in the NFL as he can be seen frequently holding defenders.
• Pass Protection: 4.0/5.0   Moving from guard to left tackle is not a simple task, yet Whitehair continued to dominate on the blindside.  He's best when engaging the defender, rather than absorbing the hit.  NFL speed rushers will be able to elude Whitehair, so a transition to guard is in his best interests.  It's very different to power through him once engaged and he rarely allows defenders the time to make multiple moves.
• Agility: 2.5/5.0  Whitehair shows fluid mobility when pulling down the line or advancing to linebackers at the second level.  He can get pushed back and lose his balance when engaged in the open field.  He has great field vision to diagnose which angles linebackers and defensive linemen will take as well as the quickness to reach them before they get upfield.

Summary: Cody Whitehair doesn't show a lot of flash on tape, but he is a disciplined technician of the game and knows how to utilize his strengths.  He rarely misses his assignment, showing consistency over his four year as a standout in the Big 12. He doesn't have the most impressive stature or athletic ability but is as sound a football player as any lineman in this draft.  He has the tools to become a pro-bowl guard in the NFL.

Overall Grade: 4.0/5.0  

If drafted by the Packers:

With the rash of injuries across the offensive line during the 2015 season, the Packers will almost certainly be looking for a lineman in the upcoming draft.  Cody Whitehair will most likely be drafted within the first two rounds due to his versatility and experience.  If general manager Ted Thompson were to draft a lineman early, Whitehair would be a flexible option that could fill in across the line. 

With starting guards T.J. Lang and Josh Sitton and tackle David Bakhtiari set to become free agents after the 2016 season, Whitehair could be groomed to replace one of the veterans.  The Packers need depth at nearly every position along the offensive line, and Whitehair could be the safe pick that Thompson opts to use on the 27th pick.

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