2020 NFL Draft Week 8 watch list: Cohl Cabral vs. Utah

Arizona State senior center Cohl Cabral faces a collision with Utah’s powerful defensive line on Saturday that could make or break his 2020 NFL Draft stock.

The 6-foot-5, 304-pound senior is a three-year starter that anchors the middle of the Sun Devils’ offensive line.

A team captain and reigning 2nd team All-Pac 12 selection, Cabral has displayed intriguing traits that could allow him to contribute at the next level.

He has a long, filled-out frame that should be able to handle the vigor of the NFL. Cabral possesses questionable athletic balance and fluidity, but he possesses adequate enough ability make it at the next level.

Cabral is an effective help blocker in pass protection and he displays good awareness. He trusts his help in protection (when he isn’t the help) and quickly recognizes and reacts to blitzes, stunts and loops. Cabral isn’t afraid to pass off a stunting defender to the outside while picking up the looper through the A-gap.

While matched up on his own, Cabral has natural bend and does a nice job getting underneath his assignment despite his size. He has big hands and fires them quickly off the snap, and he displays the ability to reset inside when his hands are shed initially.

He has some trouble anchoring down vs. the power rush, and Cabral has had some issues against NFL-caliber strength this season, namely Raequon Williams, in an earlier match-up against Michigan State.

Cabral has flashed some ability to recover, but his anchor is a major question that the match up against Utah will help answer.

Utah has a stout, physical front that can collapse the pocket with their powerful interior defenders, specifically Leki Fotu, and it’s going to be a true test of Cabral’s play strength.

While the Utes can get after the passer, they’re going to make it tough for Arizona State to get things going on the ground.

They currently rank 2nd in the nation in rush yards allowed and are coming off a performance where they allowed electric Washington State running back Max Borghi to rush for just 51 yards.

Cabral flashes the ability to get push at the point-of-attack, but there are times where he gives up a little ground on initial contact and gets locked in place. He does a nice job keeping his pads down and keeping his hands locked when he gets set inside, but he’s lacked a power element to his game at this point.

Cabral tends to stumble and take questionable angles when he works to the 2nd level. He’s going to need to execute on combo blocks if the Sun Devils have a chance at establishing the ground game.

He certainly has promise, but Cabral needs to put together a strong performance against Utah in order to solidify his NFL Draft stock.

It isn’t exactly a strong interior offensive line class, and he could elevate his way towards the top if he strings together a few consistent performances in the coming weeks. He currently projects as a Day 3 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.