NFL Draft Profile: North Carolina offensive lineman Willie Lampkin

Should Willie Lampkin be a day three target for the Broncos in the 2025 NFL Draft?

The good thing for the interior portion of the Denver offensive line is that Quinn Meinerz is under contract for 2028, and will likely be a Bronco for life. The bad news is that they don’t have a center that excels in the run game and their left guard is not playing up to his contract. But there exists a good bit of prospects that will be around for them come Day Three of the NFL Draft. Let’s look at another option.

While Willie Lampkin is only 5’11” (at best), he certainly does not play like it. There’s a reason that someone his height was invited to the Senior Bowl (being the shortest offensive line prospect to be invited by three inches). He is a nasty, physical presence and takes the fight to defensive tackles. He clearly plays like he has a chip on his shoulder, which he probably does. I’m sure that this is a guy that has been doubted since his high school days, but now look at him. On the precipice of being a draft pick. There’s something to that.

Player Profile

Willie Lampkin | Offensive Line| North Carolina

• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 270 pounds
• Hands: 10 inches
• Arm Length: 32 inches
• 40-Yard Dash: 5.2 seconds

Film Room

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Great footwork and balance in pass protection
• Top-tier levels of hand fighting
• Great leverage in run protection and fits his hands well
• Maintains a wide base throughout run blocking
• Good to great levels of awareness in pass protection

Weaknesses

• Lacks good speed when pulling to the outside
• Lacks the size to handle NFL nose tackles
• Not a good piece for a power running/ gap scheme offense

What other analysts are saying about North Carolina offensive lineman Willie Lampkin

Lance Zierlein

When it comes to the three phases of a run block (positioning/sustain/finish), Lampkin has the best tape I’ve studied of any prospect in the 2025 draft. He’s tremendously quick and athletic to beat defenders to the spot laterally or to climb and connect in space. He plays with excellent hand placement, leverage and footwork to sustain blocks. He uses that stickiness to finish blocks, too. He’s sound in pass protection but will give way to size and length from time to time. Unfortunately, he falls far below NFL size standards, but he’s too good a football player to ignore. Smart teams should consider using Lampkin as a fullback who can get into space and stick to his block while offering position flexibility as an emergency backup at center. Whether he’s drafted or not, Lampkin has NFL-caliber talent.

Samuel Teets

Lampkin plays with natural leverage and a wide base that he resets to gradually weaken and halt bull rushes. He plays with an aggressive, mauling mentality that sets the tone for the offensive line. His background as a former Florida Class 7A state championship wrestler shows up in how he grapples with and pancakes defensive linemen.

Final Thoughts

I think there is a lot of good in Lampkin. He has the perfect mentality for an offensive lineman and is better than most when it comes to the mindset part of his game. That alone can make for a successful situation for him. And if I didn’t know his height and weight then I would definitely say that he has NFL offensive linemen written all over him.

But, unfortunately, those numbers do get in the way. And the height isn’t a deal breaker, but most of my worry is in his weight. The average weight of an NFL offensive linemen sits around 310 pounds. The average weight of an NFL defensive tackle is also right around 310 pounds. Lampkin will definitely have to put on at least a little weight, or be a total savage in the weight room. I do think that offensive line coach Zach Strief would unlock some hidden talents of Lamkin thought.

And with the other reports of some teams seeking to use Lampkin as a full back, I think he’d be able to make a meaningful impact on the Denver Broncos offense in time. If he is there late, I would not mind Lampkin donning the orange and blue. Maybe Denver will be taking two Tar Heels this year.