Steve Avila
Summary
Steve Avila was selected in Round 2 (#36 Overall) in the 2023 Draft out of Texas Christian University (TCU). Avila is a versatile interior offensive lineman who emerged from TCU with multi‑position experience (center, guard, tackle) and demonstrated strong performance against top competition. At approximately 6′4″ and 332 lbs, he combined impressive mass, leverage ability, and pass‑protection consistency—particularly notable for allowing zero sacks in his senior season at left guard. He projects as a plug‑and‑play interior lineman for the NFL, with potential to start early—but carries some questions about his agility in space and how his skills translate to a heavier, faster pro game.
Strengths
Elite anchor and power at the point of attack: Avila consistently shows the ability to absorb bull‑rushes, maintain his base, and prevent the defender from displacing him.
Track record of pass protection success: He allowed zero sacks in his senior season and very few pressures, demonstrating readiness in pass‑protecting roles. Los Angeles Rams
Versatility across the interior line: He has collegiate experience at guard, center and even tackle, giving teams flexibility in how they deploy him.
Strong awareness and intelligence: Reports credit him with good ability to recognize stunts/blitzes, make protections, and execute at a high level.
Compact leverage and bend for size: Despite his mass, Avila shows natural knee bend, a wide base, and effective punch timing in the run game.
Weaknesses
Limited lateral agility and change‑of‑direction in space: His movement when asked to pull, move to second level or handle flank blocks is less impressive compared to top sprinters in space‑based schemes. Athlon Sports
Hand and foot‑technique refinement needed: Though strong, some analysts note that his hand usage and reset technique in pass‑pro can be inconsistent, and he sometimes stops his feet after initial contact.
Less ideal fit for outside‑zone or heavy pulling schemes: Because of his build and agility limitations, he may struggle in systems that demand frequent downhill movement or wide open‑space blocking. Last Word On Sports
Weight and conditioning are potential concerns: There are some collective thoughts that his mass as a risk—when his weight creeps up, his ability to stay square and agile can suffer.
Ceiling somewhat tied to scheme alignment: While he has a high floor, unlocking his full potential may require a system that emphasizes power and inside‑zone blocking rather than pure outside zone. First Round Mock
Fit & Outlook
Steve Avila fits best in a power‑driven or inside‑zone oriented offensive line scheme where the tackles and guards don’t constantly pull or chase defenders in open space. His best role is as a guard‑oriented interior lineman who can set an anchor in pass protection, handle big‑bodied defenders head‑on, and win at the point of attack. A team with a quarterback who needs strong interior protection—or a heavy running game that controls gaps—would benefit particularly from Avila’s skill set. Looking ahead, his outlook is very positive. His floor: a dependable starting guard or interior lineman who can give his team stability, protect the QB and contribute in the run game. With continued refinement of his technique and athleticism, his upside is to become a top‑tier interior line starter. The primary risks revolve around whether his agility limitations or space‑blocking demands will expose him at the next level, or whether he lands in a scheme mismatched to his strengths. Overall, Avila presents as a low‑risk, high‑reward interior lineman with a strong foundation for long‑term NFL success.