Steve Avila NFL Draft Prospect Profile and Scouting Report
TCU OL Steve Avila Scouting Report for the 2023 NFL Draft
By Jack Gerak
Name: Steve Avila
School: TCU
Year: rSr
Position: Offensive Lineman
Measurables: 6’3”, 332 lbs.
Combine:
Hand Length: 9¼” , Arm Length: 33, Wingspan: 79”
40 Yard Dash: 5.21, 10 Yard Split: 1.86
Shuttle: 4.74, Three Cone Drill: 7.85
Vertical: 29.5”, Broad Jump: 98”
Bench Press: 28 Reps
General Info:
With a high school playing weight of 308 pounds, offensive lineman Steve Avila has always been a wrecking ball. The four-star recruit from South Grand Prairie High School in Arlington, Texas committed to TCU in March of 2017.
Though he was recruited as a tackle, TCU took full advantage of the lineman’s versatility. Over his five year playing career in Fort Worth, Avila saw action at tackle, guard, and center. After a redshirt freshman season and relief duty in his second season, Steve Avila started three seasons for the Horned Frogs from 2020-2022 and was selected as a Consensus All-American for his 2022 season that culminated in a National Championship appearance. After adding an additional 24 pounds, Avila seems to have found his niche at guard, allowing 0 sacks in his senior season. He projects as a versatile interior lineman at the next level and is expected to come off the board early on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
Positional Skills:
Strengths
Experience is a strength for Steve Avila, who has seen action in over 30 games. He is a high-IQ lineman who easily recognizes stunts and blitzes. This has earned the 2022 team captain respect as the leader of TCU’s offensive line.
Avila’s size is his biggest advantage in the trenches. His incredible play strength is evident in the running game, where he dominates the line of scrimmage. Avila demonstrates a nastiness and competitive toughness that makes defenders think twice. Faster than you might expect for a player his size, he is able to quickly navigate to the second level and clear a path for his running back. Avila has great strength and timing with his punch, and defenders seldom escape his grasp once he has landed his punch.
Weaknesses
Though he is faster than you may expect for a player his size, Avila struggles with lateral agility, particularly in pass protection. Agile defenders are able to best him with jab steps and speed rushes. His technique is unrefined in both run blocking and pass protection—he plays high and tends to stop his feet on contact. This leaves him vulnerable for defenders to shed him or throw him off balance. Should he become a successful guard in the NFL, he will need to clean up these deficiencies.
Fit with the Packers:
The Packers’ starting interior offensive line consists of a star and two players who have yet to solidify themselves as long-term starters in the NFL. Josh Myers showed promise as a rookie but failed to improve in his sophomore campaign. Jon Runyan Jr. has surpassed expectations, but it remains to be seen whether he is a long-term solution at right guard. Elgton Jenkins is a nice luxury, but the Packers would be wise to pair him with another dominant interior offensive lineman. Steve Avila could replace Jon Runyan Jr. or Josh Myers should either of them fail to prove themselves in 2023.
Packers’ offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich is somewhat of an “offensive line guru”. Given the technical strides Avila needs to make, I cannot think of a better offensive coordinator for him to be paired with. If Stenavich is able to develop him, the addition of Steve Avila would help fortify the Packers’ offensive line, protecting quarterback Jordan Love for years to come.
Brian Gutekunst values versatility and has shown a willingness to spend high-end draft capital on interior linemen. If the Packers get their hands on multiple second-round draft picks, they may use one on Steve Avila to secure their offensive line.
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Comments (27)
stockholder
March 30, 2023 at 04:07 pm
No Thanks - The OL are just to weak.
Wouldn't take any. In any Rd.
I still say Edge, WR, DL.
jannesbjornson
March 30, 2023 at 05:11 pm
B.Jones and Paris Johnson will not be available unless he moves UP. They are blue chips. I mock the trade down to bag Felix, but they need a partner. I would grab him @ #15, no worries. He dominated the TCU O line in the Big 12 CH. They just bagged Wyatt w/ a One Pick last draft. He is the inside guy with Slaton and Clark. Grab Benton later. I bag the BPA from Edge, Wr or CB. The CBs are a solid group and HE will have to bring in two guys. I would try Nixon at FS.
stockholder
March 30, 2023 at 05:52 pm
Depending on the Patriots-
The packers have a shot at
Trenton Simpson LB Clemson or
Nolan Smith Edge Geo
IMO- NE should take Simpson.
But Elliot Wolf remembers CM3.
Simpson is the best Defensive Tackler
in this draft. He can play anywhere.
Both have Great ,Great, numbers!
I would take Felix in a trade down.
But not if Simpson was there.
Benton is Rd 2-early 3. I'd take Rice WR.
He's got the bulk and will be great.
And we need more Wrs.
Can't wait on him.
jannesbjornson
March 30, 2023 at 09:09 pm
Matthews was Ted's pick all the way. He was at the USC pro day and played with Bruce Matthews. Knew the Family. They paid Campbell and wasted the #22 on Walker. I don't care for Clemson guys with the exception of Dexter Lawrence. Felix has the punch and length. They have Hollins for the run around guy. There are only a few guys like Von Miller in the world. I like Rice and the SMU passing game, but will stick to Tillman as an all around pro prospect trained by his old man, just like Watson. OK, So Wolf's kid makes a comparison working for Belichick, I see now. He didn't want Walker @ #21 last draft, for a reason. Clay III carried 247-250 Lbs on his frame when he was drafted. Felix 6'-3-1/2 and 255 with 33-1/2 " arms very similar profile.
greengold
March 30, 2023 at 04:19 pm
If you want an OG who has a full year starting experience at OC, one with power & speed, you could do worse than Steve Avila. 6-4 340 # 94 overall in Athlon's Top 100 players. Late R2-R3 value. Avila is only 1 of 3 OG players to crack Athlon's Top 100 Players.
He's one of the better OGs in a weak overall class for 2023, with the skill to play OG/OC in the NFL. MONSTER inside power run blocker and ELITE pass pro in phone booth. BIG yet light on feet.
Not for every scheme. Speed is straight ahead power speed and gets to the 2nd level easily. Lateral slide to mirror listed a strength by nfl, weakness by the buzz... LOL. Good times. Good times.
NO ONE outmuscles this cat.
6.30 per nfl - Will Eventually Be Plus Starter
Avila also grades very well at PFF. Elite pass pro. 83.6, run blocking 66.6. Overall grades >70 all 3 years at TCU.
dobber
March 30, 2023 at 04:28 pm
I wouldn't be averse to the Packers shifting to a more power-gap scheme and beating the crap out of some teams.
greengold
March 30, 2023 at 04:33 pm
YES!!!! You're speakin' my language!!!
I seriously hope we take Bijan and Quentin R1, and just blast the shit out of our opponents in the run game. Jones, Dillon & Robinson. I want our RBs splitting 50+ carries per game.
All the other snaps? Spend at least half of those killing them in play action.
Maybe a... a... a Jet sweep or three? LOL. Gimme Jet concepts!!! Quick!!!
Bomb, sideline & slant the S outta them with the rest to Watson, Doubs & Johnston.
YES!!!!!
Lootstone
March 30, 2023 at 06:47 pm
Indeed! I keep hearing that Johnston and Hyatt are going to fall come April lately as well - hope that's the case. It would give the Packers a new personality to root for that people really even were cheering for last year. Run the ball!
jannesbjornson
March 30, 2023 at 05:14 pm
Let's do it. Watching the right flank being dumped into Rodgers lap is branded in the grey matter like the 2017 draft.
dblbogey
March 30, 2023 at 07:05 pm
If Paris Johnson is there, I'd be thrilled. Zach Tom replaces Myers at Center, our weakest spot, upgrades RT with Johnson, and he can step in for Bakh when his time ends. I want an exceptional OL so badly. With A. Jones running, and good pass protection, add a TE and WR in the first 2 days of the draft, I think Love and the offense would be very successful. Now, if they had just fired Barry, I'd be really happy.
greengold
March 30, 2023 at 10:20 pm
Totally agree with you, dblbogey.
Glad you mentioned this because I think Myers gets traded to NYJ too. Jets Center is abysmal.
Rodgers won’t trust a rookie at C, or anywhere on that line. Already knows scheme. Rodgers wants some of his guys protecting him, and my guess 2 or 3 follow him out there.
Add to that, he’s likely to have already convinced Woody to pay for all of this, and he is. NYJ will pay us in picks.
jannesbjornson
March 31, 2023 at 07:50 am
So now you''re trading most of the O-line to New Jersey? You mentioned Bhak, Runyan and now Myers for the trifecta. Gutedkunst brought Hendrickson onboard from Ozzie's tree to help select the big guys upfront.
greengold
March 31, 2023 at 11:09 am
Yes, my brother. Yes, I am.
Why?
1. AR wouldn't agree to such a trade if he were not protected, AND, the Jets wouldn't trade for him if they didn't have a plan to protect him.
2. How can the Jets acquire OL - and, believe me, NYJ needs at the bare minimum 3 new starters - while taking on their already max stressed cap, AR and his salary?
Nobody thinks about this. Is AR going to trust rookie OL? Hell no. THREE OF THEM??? You gotta be kidding.
3. The Packers will not shrivel up and die if we were to trade NYJ Bakhtiari, Runyan & Myers. Bakhtiari's deal was reworked 3 weeks ago today, in a manner that is oddly trade friendly.
4. AR says he made his decision to play for the NYJ the exact same day David Bakhtiari's extension was worked out?
5. Woody Johnson stated in his ESPN interview he wanted "plug & play starters," the best he could find.
6. Is there more "plug & play" than trading for AR and 3 of his starting OL?
7. The Jets sign Allen Lazard in FA = "plug & play."
8. The Jets sign Mecole Hardman in FA.
9. Woody had already hired Nathaniel Hackett to be the Jets OC in anticipation of this very trade - JANUARY 27TH!!! That tells me this trade has been in the works probably since last year, when all the AR trade talk was hitting the nation. It's not unreasonable to imagine the Packers & Jets had talked very seriously about sending AR to NYJ. All 4 players know Hackett's system inside & out = "plug & play."
Add it up. It makes perfect sense. That's all I've done since Woody gave that interview a month ago, adding it all up - all the possibilities:
https://youtu.be/nOnnFJr9gNU
Bak's newly restructured extension works. Runyan in the last year of his contract works. Myers' dead cap hit is less than $1M, and, that works!!!!
I said to myself, "Holy balls! That's what they're doing."
Then Trey Wingo comes out of nowhere saying to the world the deal is "a monster blockbuster trade?"
Yeah, kind of fits as well.
The Packers are going to be walking away with a pretty serious number of Jets draft picks, because that is literally all they have to use in trade. I don't know what that is, but, it's going to be a lot of picks.
I know it's never been done before, and robber reminded me of that a month ago, but, this is looking more & more like what we will see happen in the next 28 days.
greengold
March 31, 2023 at 11:11 am
dobber, my spell check knows you as robber. LOL Couldn't edit with the linky link.
jannesbjornson
March 30, 2023 at 04:56 pm
Andrew Vorhees. His knee will heal and a bargin if he drops.
stockholder
March 30, 2023 at 07:26 pm
His Lateral Quickness is not good enough for Guard.
Listed as a C-G type. Who is grabby.
I remember Gale Gillingham.
Just forget It.
StarrtoRodgers
March 30, 2023 at 04:38 pm
I think we can pick up players and draft picks.
Please see my numbered Q's below.
Aaron - just 1 year removed from consecutive passer rating titles (the most objective measure of QB performance), placing him in front of the other 31 other starting quarterbacks, Mahomes, Brady, Burrow, Allen, Herbert, etc. etc. - will play out the 4 remaining years of his contract & his team will be in the playoffs those 4 years.
As for Jordan, the only data points we have is that he led all of College football in interceptions in his 2nd and last year as a starter and in the only game that he has started in the NFL - giving the opponent (Chiefs) a week to game plan - he was blitzed over and over (18 times - https://aws.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LoveJo03/gamelog/advanced/) and despite 9 men rushing him, he could not hit the consequently open receivers - generated just 7 points and had a 69.5 passer rating.
Packers are 1 year removed from 13-3, 13-3, and 13-4 seasons and with a competent Management and QB should be in the playoffs in 2023-24.
3 questions:
Jets GM Joe Douglas drafted Zach Wilson 2nd overall in the 2021 draft & watched the Jets trade for & draft QB Sam Darnold 3rd overall in 2018. Douglas then traded Sam Darnold, & benched Wilson, after Douglas had given up on the two 23 year olds after 38 starts for Darnold and 22 for Wilson.
The Jets were originally so high on Darnold that they traded 4 high picks to get Darnold - their 6th overall pick in 2018, 2018 37th overall pick, 2018 49th overall pick and their 2019 2nd round pick (which would be 34th overall).
1) Given that the Packers think so highly of Jordan Love that they are willing to give way the QB that won the passer rating title over 31 other starting QBs 2 of the last 3 years and is a 4 time MVP, wouldn't the Jets think the same & drop the idea of Aaron as their QB in an instant & jump at a Packer offer of young 24 yr old Jordan Love?
2) With Jordan so highly thought of, would the Jets give the Packers a Russell Wilson like package in return?:
3). Russell Wilson was traded for 7 players - the 9th (2022), 5th (2023), 40th (2022), 37th (2023) picks in the NFL Draft - all unconditional draft picks - & a young solid starting tight end (Noah Fant, the 20th pick in the 2019 draft) & a starting defensive end (Shelby Harris) & quarterback Drew Lock (2nd round 42nd overall pick in the 2019 draft - 6 players who will be Seattle starters and 2 of which (5th and 9th pick) will probably be all pros and a backup or possible starting QB in young Lock.
If no, why not?
Lootstone
March 30, 2023 at 06:42 pm
Hey, not sure if you are aware, but you tend to duplicate your posts in either multiple articles or multiple times in one article. Not sure if this is just recent or what, since I'm newer here. Just thought I'd mention it.
MainePackFan
March 30, 2023 at 04:55 pm
This ought to be good : )
Turophile
March 30, 2023 at 06:55 pm
I think Jon Runyan is good enough as a starter, he's been pretty solid at guard. Elgton Jenkins is stellar as a LG
We don't really know what we have with Sean Rhyan either. He got off to a bad start being unable to crack the starting lineup and getting a PED suspension.............but he was a rookie and this year will give a better idea of where he is.
I'd actually rather see a center taken to push Myers, in round 3-5, there are some very capable centers in this draft. If the Packers see Tom as the man to push Myers, then the Packers need a tackle instead...........- and it would be very difficult not to overdraft one given how thin good tackles are on the ground in this years draft.
stockholder
March 30, 2023 at 07:28 pm
WTF! Adam stenavich is not a offensive Line Guru.
Any guy that put Hanson at Guard has rocks in his head.
jannesbjornson
March 31, 2023 at 07:52 am
Remember the musical chairs in the Playoff games...
BAMABADGER
March 30, 2023 at 08:04 pm
Gutey was at the UT Vols Pro Day today. Vols may replace UGA players in GBP 2023 draft (WRs/QB/Edge/OL). I'm sure he watched and met with right-OT Darnell Wright who could be the OL steal of the draft. Dominated in the SEC all season. 6'6'' ran a 5.01 40. If he lasts into the 3rd, hope we grab him. He could start right away.
Tundraboy
March 30, 2023 at 09:17 pm
Why wait til 3rd. Doubt he'll be there anyway. I can still hope.
jannesbjornson
March 30, 2023 at 10:04 pm
High second round, maybe lower first as teams try to snag these OTs. He is stallworth.
Titletown222
March 30, 2023 at 09:22 pm
He’s going in the first round per several experts
WD
March 31, 2023 at 07:13 am
When healthy our OL is very good and under rated. We also drafted three OL in last years draft with Zach Tom showing the most promise. Moreover, we have the massive road grader Caleb Jones who has yet to even make it on the field. Therefore, OL is the least of our worries. The most critical position to address is DL as evidenced by the fact we could not stop the run. To the rescue would be A- Adebaware who can and has played all the positions on the DL including Edge. He is a massive man who ran an astounding 4.49 at the combine. I have seen him picked late in the first round by KC Chiefs who seem to have the uncanny ability to always select play-makers. The Packers should trade down from 15 a few spots to then grab him. Then for the offense grab TE Darnell Washington which is like filling a need for lineman and TE simultaneously. Those two players alone would improve offense and defense immediately. We also have three great receivers from last years draft and would not rule out Bo Melton for WR depth. So, after Edge and TE it would be BPA for the remainder of the draft.