STRENGTHS - Motta has outstanding height, bulk and length for the safety position. Against the run he attacks the LOS with solid base and leverage, and shows the ability to wrap up and drive through the ball carrier to finish tackles. Because of his strong tackling technique he consistently delivers heavy hits in coverage, and has the strength to jar the ball loose on contact. He stays low in his pedal and flashes the foot quickness to transition smoothly into his chase.
WEAKNESSES - Motta is a slow-twitch athlete that lacks the burst and speed to consistently make plays in space. He struggles to pursue plays to the boundary and has to take conservative angles in order to meet the ball carrier on the edge. When in zone coverage he lacks the burst to close effectively from off the ball, and in man coverage he does not display the long speed needed to stay with backs and TE's down-field. At times he takes false steps toward the LOS on PA fakes, and generally seems a beat late moving toward the ball. Although he displays the ability to break down in space, he tends to get flat-footed and struggles to change directions and adjust to moving targets, and consequently misses too many tackles against quick ball carriers with cutback ability.
SUMMARY - Zeke Motta is a classic tweener that will struggle to make an NFL roster because he does not have a natural position for the next level. He lacks the speed and explosiveness need to break and close effectively in off and zone coverage, and also struggles to stay with targets downfield when lined up in press man. While he possesses the height, bulk and natural strength of a TE he is still too undersized to be considered for a transition to LB. Also complicating a potential position change is his suspect instincts, as from a safety alignment he struggles to identify the ball quickly and is consistently a step late to the POA. He is a solid, fundamental tackler when he stays on the balls of his feet, but too often he gets caught on his heels and can't change directions in time to adjust to moving targets. Motta is likely to get a camp opportunity because of his toughness, durability and experience on special teams, but with his athletic limitations he is unlikely to ever become more than a special teams player or emergency backup.