NCAA Scouting – Player Profile: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia by Jody Jamieson 7/2/2009
Last year, guard Branden Albert was taken #15 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs, and was moved outside to left tackle where he feels most comfortable. It seems strange that a bonafide first round pick would be playing slightly out of position in college but there’s a good reason that Albert played guard at Virginia. Eugene Monroe was playing left tackle. Once D’Brickashaw Ferguson graduated (another first round Virginia offensive lineman) and was selected by the Jets, Monroe moved over from right guard and became an absolute rock. Monroe was Mr Dependable protecting his quarterback’s blindside, and was pretty effective in the running game.
Unlike most offensive line prospects, Monroe projects to play one position and one position only in the pros. Sure, he played guard in college, but wouldn’t project well there on Sundays. As a left tackle, he projects as an excellent prospect. When you watch him, you see a few flaws in his work in the running game but these are things that can worked out with good coaching. In the passing game it’s hard to find fault and you really have to dig deep and nit pick to find a problem. No-one is perfect obviously, but Monroe is impressive.
What we like about Monroe
Monroe is an absolute stud in pass protection. His footwork is excellent and he stays low enough that when he engages a defensive player, it’s over. Deals well with speed on the edge and will not be dominated for strength. Fairly mobile and gets out in space quickly. Could get bigger and lose none of his quickness. Is an NFL ready prospect who will almost certainly start in Week 1. Very experienced player who was a three year starter at Virginia.
Question Marks about Monroe
Doesn’t get particularly low in the running game. He engages but doesn’t push. He can get to the second level in the running game, but sometimes looks a little lost when he gets there. Needs to sustain his blocks in the running game and finish a player off. The biggest problem I can find in his pass protection is sometimes he lets a rusher get a little too close to the quarterback before engaging.
Highlight of his college career
In Eugene Monroe’s final 25 games of his Virginia Cavaliers career, he didn’t give up a single sack. If by chance he was to go 25 games in the pros without giving up a sack, it would project that the first sack against him would come in Week 11 of the 2010 season!
Other snippets
Monroe is an impressive 6′ 6″ tall and weighs in at 315 lbs, with the frame to go up to about 330. He was one of 16 children brought up in New Jersey. Monroe is a candidate for anyone picking in the Top 15 looking for an offensive tackle. St Louis, Seattle, Cincinnati, Oakland, Jacksonville and San Francisco will all look closely at Monroe.
NCAA Scouting – Player Profile:
Unlike most offensive line prospects, Monroe projects to play one position and one position only in the pros. Sure, he played guard in college, but wouldn’t project well there on Sundays. As a left tackle, he projects as an excellent prospect. When you watch him, you see a few flaws in his work in the running game but these are things that can worked out with good coaching. In the passing game it’s hard to find fault and you really have to dig deep and nit pick to find a problem. No-one is perfect obviously, but Monroe is impressive. 
