How NC State OL Anthony Belton did at the NFL Scouting Combine
After graduate offensive tackle Anthony Belton had NFL scouts showing up in waves throughout the fall to evaluate him in person, the pre-draft process has allowed the Wolfpack’s blindside protector to rise going into this April’s event.
Belton was among the top performers at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., last month before he arrived at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week. He was able to get back in front of all 32 teams to make another impression ahead of NC State’s Pro Day.
The Tallahassee, Fla., native’s measurables were in the middle of the pack with a 5.26 40-yard dash, a 29.50 vertical jump, a 8-foot-11 broad jump and a 7.77 three-cone drill time, but his on-field drill performance was where Belton appeared to set himself apart from other offensive linemen in attendance.
And after he turned in a solid performance at Lucas Oil Stadium, Belton seems to have helped boost his stock and could become a day two pick. ESPN’s Jordan Reid named the tackle one of his biggest offensive line risers of the combine.
“Belton continued to get better each season as the anchor of NC State’s offensive line at left tackle,” Reid wrote. “His best part of the workout came during the on-field drills. At 6-foot-6, 336 pounds, he showed suddenness in his lower body and good change-of-direction skills.
“There are some teams that like Belton as a guard, but because of his length, he would be better served with trying to play tackle first. Belton could be among the top 75 picks because of his power and positional versatility.”
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As NFL teams try to project where Belton could play along the line, he has several teams interested in his services. The offensive lineman has top-30 visits with the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, he told reporters at the combine.
A top-30 visit allows teams to invite 30 prospects to their facility to learn more about the players, including additional interviews, physicals and reviewing game film ahead of the NFL Draft.
Belton anchored NC State’s offensive line this past fall. He appeared in all 12 games, starting 11 of them, at left tackle with 741 total snaps played. The Pack’s top draft prospect allowed just 12 quarterback pressures, including three sacks, but didn’t allow quarterback CJ Bailey to hit the ground over the last four weeks of the year.
If Belton hears his name called at the NFL Draft, he will become the Wolfpack’s 30th pick in Dave Doeren’s 12 seasons. The Pack has churned out six offensive linemen through the draft over that span, including at least one in each of the last three years.
