Elijah Paige’s rise has become one of the more notable storylines around USC’s offense this season, and NFL evaluators are starting to treat him like a premium draft prospect.
In a recent first-round mock draft, NFL writer Rob Rang pushed Paige all the way into the top 10, projecting the USC offensive tackle as a first-rounder with major upside. Rang’s evaluation was direct about why Paige is climbing so fast.
"Regardless of whether the Texans can can right the ship this season, they are in need of upgrades at various positions. That includes left tackle, where second-year pro Aireontae Ersery has surrendered 25 pressures (and four sacks) so far this season. Elijah Page pairs light feet and balance with power and nastiness in the running game to be this year’s top offensive line prospect."
Rang went a step further, comparing Paige to Ronnie Stanley, a lofty standard that speaks to how highly he views the USC lineman’s ceiling. Paige has been a steady force for an offense that has leaned on him to keep the passing game operating at a high level while also helping the run game when it needs a lift.
A top-10 selection might sound aggressive right now, but the buzz around Paige is tied to the kind of player he looks like he can become. His combination of size, movement and edge in the run game has clearly caught the attention of NFL talent evaluators.
Rang’s mock also connected Paige to Houston, a fit that makes sense on paper. The idea is that Paige could slide into a spot where he would help protect franchise quarterback C.
J. Stroud, while joining an organization that is often in playoff contention and has had success developing USC Trojans.
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