Summary

Lloyd Cushenberry III was selected in the 2nd Round (#63 Overall) in the 2020 Draft out of LSU. Cushenberry is a veteran interior offensive lineman whose game is grounded in strong physical tools, intelligence, and consistency in the center position. From his college days at LSU, where he anchored a dominant offensive line, to his NFL career, he has shown the ability to step in and handle major responsibilities. His strengths lie in his stability, size/length, and center‑line communication. On the other hand, certain athletic limitations—particularly in lateral movement and pulling in space—remain areas for improvement. Overall, Cushenberry provides a high‑floor starter on the interior; the key question is how well he continues to refine the finer technical aspects and maintain his athletic edge in a league that evolves quickly.

Strengths

• Size, length, and physical foundation: Cushenberry brought outstanding frame and arm‑length for an interior lineman, giving him a strong anchor and reach advantage. Mile High Report

• Intelligence and communication: He ran the line calls, protected the quarterback, and showed good processing of stunts and blitzes at LSU. Steelers Depot

• Strong hands and punch: Evaluators noted his ability to shoot his hands quickly, engage well at the point of attack, and sustain blocks when matched. SI

• Anchor in run and pass‑sets: He demonstrated good capability in anchor/pass sets—he was rarely overpowered in bull‑rush situations and showed comfort in controlling his gap.

• Versatility across interior positions: Though primarily a center, scouts noted his ability to shift to guard if needed, adding value in line‑up flexibility.

Weaknesses

• Lateral agility and movement in space: While strong up front, Cushenberry has been critiqued for his movement when required to pull, reach on outside zone schemes, or mirror very quick edge rushers. Zone Coverage

• Finish strength and push in certain run‑blocks: Some reports suggest that although he holds steady, he doesn’t always generate dominant push or consistently finish blocks when isolated one‑on‑one.

• Footwork / “reset” issues with longer reps: His feet at times become heavy or his base rises after longer blocks or when asked to move from his initial spot. SI

• Less refined in wide‑zone and space‑based schemes: Given his strengths designed for more traditional gap/power‑run or controlled pass schemes, his ideal fit may be somewhat scheme‑sensitive. Mile High Report

• Ceiling vs. elite‑tier interior linemen: While his floor is high, some evaluators suggest his ceiling may be slightly lower than the very top tier of interior linemen given his limitations in space or against highly athletic disruptors. SI

Fit & Outlook

Cushenberry thrives in offenses that value control at the line of scrimmage, require strong communication and protection from the center spot, and run a mix of power/zone runs without requiring constant pulling or extreme lateral movement. As a starter, he is well‑positioned to provide stability in the interior line. He may not be the flashiest lineman, but that reliability is highly valuable. If he continues to refine his lateral mobility and technique, he could elevate his impact further. He likely remains a strong starter for years to come. If he sharpens his technical consistency and adapts to evolving line roles (e.g., more zone, more movement), his value increases. Without that, he remains a solid but not dominant interior lineman.