Local draft prospect Aireontae Ersery could bring size and physicality as the Chiefs’ left tackle

The former Ruskin High School player has all the tools he needs to play left tackle in Kansas City

While the signing of free-agent tackle Jaylon Moore has added stability to the position, the Kansas City Chiefs could still be looking for a left tackle in the NFL Draft.

While local standout Armand Membou has garnered the national spotlight as a possible top-5 pick, another hometown talent (and projected first-round pick) is on Kansas City’s radar: former Ruskin High School tackle Aireontae Ersery, whom the Chiefs have reportedly brought in for a Top-30 visit.

Ersery brings size, physicality and most of the other attributes teams will look for in a cornerstone left tackle.

Background

A three-star recruit out of Ruskin, Ersery was not a highly-ranked college prospect. But he did draw interest from Midwestern schools like Ball State, Kansas, Kansas State and Minnesota, where he enrolled in 2020.

A starter for his last three seasons with the Golden Gophers, as a redshirt senior he was an All Big-10 selection, an Associated Press third-team All-American and a Senior Bowl participant.

Checking into the NFL Scouting Combine at 6 feet 6 and 331 pounds, he was measured with 33 1/8-inch arms and 9 1/2-inch hands. His size (and athletic ability) dazzled scouts at the Combine and his pro day.

At 5.01 seconds, Ersery’s 40-yard dash time was among the fastest of any offensive lineman at the Combine. More importantly, his 1.74-second 10-yard split displayed his explosion out of the blocks.

But it is Ersery’s film that is making him a potential first-round selection.

Film evaluation

Big offensive linemen can sometimes struggle against speed, but Ersery has quick feet for such a big frame — and his tight, concise footwork in his vertical protection set shows a player with a good command of the fundamentals for his position.

Here, he battles one of the best edge rushers in the class: Penn State’s Abdul Carter, who wins snaps with speed and length. On this play, Carter wants to bend the arc — but Ersery is out of his stance quickly enough to prevent it. As Carter tries to fly up the field, Ersery lands his hands first — and then using his power, works Carter up the field to squash the pass-rushing attempt.

Although he doesn’t keep his hips quite square to the line of scrimmage, Ersery’s initial vertical drive from his inside foot (and his quickness with his outside kick) set him up for success.

Ersery can also defend against quicker pass rushers who try to beat him from the inside.

As he begins his pass set on this rep, the wide edge rusher attempts to blow through the B-gap — but since Ersery doesn’t overset, he can quickly transition from a vertical set to protecting the inside and powering back down. He catches the EDGE in the middle of his swim move to easily wash the defender down the line of scrimmage, giving his quarterback a clear window to throw the ball.

While we see here that Ersery still needs improvement in some technical aspects of his pass protection, he nonetheless demonstrates the skills and fundamentals he will need to succeed at the next level.

Ersery is also a mauler in the running game, where he punishes opponents with his size and physical playing style. Even as a tall player, he can bend his knees and hips to create leverage in the running game. He overwhelms his opponents with his size and strength — and works to finish every play.

On this play, Ersery fires off the ball with good footwork, timing his hands and feet perfectly while maintaining good pad level. As the edge defender tries to work up the field, Ersery uses one powerful motion to deliver a big shot that knocks the defender off his feet. Ersery finishes the play with authority.

One of Ersery’s biggest strengths is evident when he’s down-blocking on the play side of power or counter looks. This is where he can throw his weight around to display his full might as a player.

Ersery has a tough block on this play. A 4i-technique is aligned just to his inside shoulder — and Ersery’s responsibility is the B-gap. He does not have help from a tight end or guard —and the ball carrier will be coming in right behind him.

On the snap, he uses his tight footwork to work his head and body into the B-gap as he strikes the defender. With superior leverage (and tight inside hands), he moves the defensive tackle off the spot to open a big crease. The running back sees daylight, powering through it for a touchdown.

This is one of the toughest looks in football. Ersery makes it look easy.

The bottom line

Most mock draft boards have Ersery as a Day 2 selection. But with his combination of size, physicality and athletic ability, he might sneak into the first round — especially if there is a big run on tackles.

The Chiefs are in a position where they don’t need to take a tackle — but if the opportunity presents itself, a player like Ersery could be just the kind of prospect they want.

He will have to continue to improve his consistency against speed rushers (and his overall playing tempo) to be a starting-caliber NFL tackle — but the tools (and the mentality) are there.

There are very few perfect draft prospects. But large, athletic men who can dominate every snap are coveted by every team. Could Kansas City bring Ersery home?