NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS - CORNERBACK
Click on the names of the prospects below to see their draft profiles:
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 200lbs
PRO’S: Elite cornerback prospect in almost every category. Excellent speed and short area quickness allows him to be proficient in both man and zone coverage. Most impressive is his fluidity - very smooth in change of direction with little speed lost, and ability to open his hips when tracking and transitioning is second to none. Got some violence to him - impressive pop in his hands when jamming at the line and lays the boom when a receiver dares to catch it before he gets there. Incredible length - a nightmare to go up for contested catches against and his tackle radius is huge. Good play strength allows him to be a factor on the outside against the run, setting the edge and funnelling the play back inside. Smart football player who understands concepts and able to coax quarterbacks into making mistakes with clever positioning and startling pace when breaking on the ball.
CON’S: None. Maybe you’d expect more ball production from such a refined prospect, but even that improved in 2019 with three picks and two forced fumbles.
SIMON CARROLL: “Watching prospects for more than a decade, Jeff Okudah is the best cornerback I have ever scouted. His proficiency in every aspect of the position is unprecedented, and his game has the maturity of an NFL veteran already. I’m not even sure he’s reached his ceiling either - one team is getting a true shutdown corner that should see multiple all-pro accolades throughout his career”.
NFL COMPARISON: PATRICK PETERSON
PREDICTION: TOP TEN PICK
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 202lbs
PRO’S: Ideal size and length for an NFL corner. Excellent athlete - agility off the snap is impressive and has the speed throughout his game to keep up with the fastest receivers. As fluid as they come - no drop-off in velocity as he changes direction to mirror the receiver’s route. Love the anticipation he shows when playing deep and can read the quarterback. Springs like a cat when he diagnosis the pass to make the play. Plus play strength sees him combative at the line of scrimmage and physical at the point of catch. Has the power to set the edge against the run, and disengage from blocks when the ball is out in the flat.
CON’S: Effort on tackling inconsistent, sometimes just plain lacking. Motor isn’t 100% and he has no qualms allowing others to finish plays. Tackling technique underwhelming - sometimes aiming for the knockout strike when he needs to wrap up. The dirty work doesn’t excite him like when he can play the ball in the air does. Zone coverage spotty - loses positioning, can get lost and leaves lanes open on occasion.
SIMON CARROLL: “He’s not the complete package by any means, but if teams are looking for playmaking, outside cornerbacks who have the speed and the strength to match up against anyone then CJ Henderson is your guy. Exciting to watch but borderline lazy sometimes, he’ll need to prove his discipline and work ethic in the NFL. If he does that, then he’ll be a pro bowl corner at the next level”.
NFL COMPARISON: DESMOND TRUFANT
PREDICTION: TOP TWENTY PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 200lbs
PRO’S: Thick, tough receiver with a physical game. Excels in press coverage - smothers receivers from the line and doesn’t give them any room to breathe. Decent jam at the line and works hard to mirror the receiver throughout the rep. Loves to get his hands inside those of the receivers and deny the catch. Plays well deep as well in off-man, attacking the route and the passing lane as the ball leaves the quarterback’s hand. Comfortable in zone, understands receiver spacing concepts and how to line up to mitigate it. Quick, nimble feet and athleticism helps with change of direction speed. Ultra-competitive - doesn’t know when he’s beat.
CON’S: Notable drop-off in long speed compared to short speed. Receivers that can get a free release at the line can challenge him vertically. Reaction times a tick slow on occasion - want to see a quicker read and react in zone coverage. Backpedal a little ungainly. Hips a little stiff when receivers break on their routes. Sloppy tackles in the open field on tape. Suspended for two years (later reduced to one) for supplying someone else’s urine for a drug test - he had used marijuana two days before and tried to avoid punishment.
SIMON CARROLL: “The prototypical NFL cornerback, Fulton has the sticky coverage that pro teams covet. He’s a true outside corner capable of playing in a variety of coverages, lining up opposite number one receivers and giving them a tough afternoon. The failed drugs test is certainly a red flag but one that has the appearance of an immaturity he’s learned from and become a better person for. He’s sometimes inconsistent, particularly in run duties, but he should still sneak into the first round”.
NFL COMPARISON: JOSH NORMAN
PREDICTION: 1ST ROUND PICK
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 190lbs
PRO’S: Smooth, fluid athlete. Excellent twitch off the snap and able to mirror receivers throughout the route. Oily hips allow him to change direction or transition from backpedal to pursuit instantly. Quick feet keep him on top of the receiver’s route and break on the ball when it’s there. Good height and length, arms a key reason why he’s so pesky at the catch point and never allows a clean reception. Shows good pop in his hands when playing press at the line and jamming his man. Competitive in run support, showing the tenacity to avoid or get off blocks and get to the ball carrier.
CON’S: Kinda lanky with a skinny lower body frame - makes it difficult for him to anchor against run blocks or compete with the more physical receivers out there. Plays with a high pad level and loses natural leverage he should find against taller opponents. Tackling form is poor - really needs to learn how to wrap up properly rather than sliding down the body. Again, play strength doesn’t allow him to punish ball carriers with jarring hits. Needs to show better timing to meet the receiver at the catch point.
SIMON CARROLL: “It seems to me like one bad half of football against one of the elite receivers at the college level (Jamar Chase, National Championship Game) has hit Terrell’s draft stock significantly. I’d urge people to take a look at more tape - this kid has the fluidity and length to be an outside cornerback in the NFL. He played at an elite level as a two year starter at Clemson and can operate in any coverage you ask of him. It wouldn’t surprise me if he goes first round, but early day two is now more likely”.
NFL COMPARISON: BYRON JONES
PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 183lbs
PRO’S: An absolute nuisance for receivers. Very physical at the line - guaranteed he’s getting his hands on you and delaying/distorting getting into your route. Stays ahead of his man throughout the route impressive burst and fluidity. Elite football IQ and anticipation - mentally aware of what is coming at him, understands QB-WR timing, can read the quarterback’s intentions and has the athleticism to break on the ball and disrupt the pass. Worker-bee mentality with a non-stop motor. Has the alpha dog competitiveness despite his slight frame - always talking, hits hard and never quits.
CON’S: Undersized - his frame is very slim and probably can’t take any more weight, certainly without jeopardising his elite athleticism. May be consigned to slot/sub-package duties as a result. Big-bodied receivers, if they can ignore his attention early in the rep, will get the better of him. Lack of length, making him easy to lock out of run support and harder for him to fight for contested catches. Feisty style of play could hurt his team in the more flag-happy NFL. Over-eagerness on reps allow more savvy receivers to anticipate his aggressiveness and make him look foolish on occasion.
SIMON CARROLL: “Gladney is such a fun guy to watch on tape. You can only imagine how tiring it is to play against him - he’s forever in your business and simply will not back off a challenge. He has some physical limitations but that’s not going to deny him a pro career - the athleticism and smarts he shows on each down are coveted in the NFL. Whilst he is a terror in man his real value lies in zone coverage where he can use his speed and instincts to attack the football”.
NFL COMPARISON: COURTLAND FINNEGAN
PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 190lbs
PRO’S: Fierce, aggressive cornerback. Phenomenal ability to re-direct at the line of scrimmage - elite length and strong jab effortlessly moving receivers to somewhere they don’t want to be. Maintains the physicality throughout the route, breathing down the neck of his opponent and never giving him an inch. Superb ball skills - intuitive when it’s time to attack the ball and break up the play. Advanced football IQ helps him diagnose scheme and play in front of him, giving him a head start. Confident in his own judgement and has the read and react quickness to jump routes. Comfortable matching receivers in the air for the ball.
CONS: Distinct lack of fluidity - stiff hips see him slow matching breaks and jitterbug receivers can cause him real problems. Short-area athleticism lacking and often unable to recover in time against quick passes. Sub par long speed and won’t match the stride for stride speed of deep threats in the NFL. Prefers to break up the pass rather than bring down the receiver/ and is guilty of looking into the backfield too much for the football, losing track of his man. Over-aggressive in some moments, particularly at the line, losing balance when he misplaces his first strike.
SIMON CARROLL: “Jaylon Johnson is going to split opinion dependant on the type of corner you’re after. A team like the Seahawks, who look for length and strength to intimidate receivers early on their routes could well be interested in Johnson, who needs to be in press or off-man coverage and kept within striking distance of his opponent. He’s error prone and his athleticism is limited, but what he does, he does extremely well”.
Read Oliver Hodgkinson’s interview with Jaylon Johnson here:
NFL COMPARISON: TRUMAINE JOHNSON
PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’2”. Weight: 207lbs
PRO’S: Strong and physical with excellent length. Thrives at the line in press, where he can destroy receiver dreams by getting his heavy hands on them. Usually gets a good shot early that allows him to stay on top of the receiver throughout the rest of the route. Has the size and arms to be an asset against the run, setting the edge and disengaging to the ball if necessary. Shows surprising fluidity in his transitions for a bigger corner. Excellently coached and has experience playing in a variety of schemes at Alabama. Dedicated to the classroom and shows good knowledge of the opposition’s intentions, aiding his anticipation.
CON’S: Good reaction agility, but straight line speed is limited and he’ll have problems shadowing receivers deep. Panics if he can’t dislodge at the line - gets grabby when trying to stay in the play, faulty positioning when mirroring his receiver and loses track of the football in the air. For such a physical guy in press he shows reticence in his tackling - just doesn’t drop the hammer like you’d hope. Disappointing effort in the run game despite his size and length, preferring to stay on blocks rather than zero in on the ball carrier.
SIMON CARROLL: “For a guy who has done it all for Alabama you can’t help but think you’re being a little short-changed by Trevon Diggs. A corner with his physical capabilities should be dominant against the run and a ruthless tackler, and he just isn’t. Having said that, he can take away a team’s biggest threat with instincts, anticipation and ball skills that you just can’t coach. The rest of the stuff can come later - those traits alone mean he won’t fall past day two”.
NFL COMPARISON: AQIB TALIB
PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 5’11”. Weight: 200lbs
PRO’S: Physicality jumps off the screen. Impressive play strength that he seems to enjoy using, particularly at the line of scrimmage. Ultra-aggressive whenever he has the opportunity - doesn’t just jam receivers at the line, he knocks them backwards. Will throw himself through hands to make plays on the ball at the catch point. Former receiver and you can tell - conversion from power to speed is quick and his acceleration from back-pedal or standing start is startling. Has the athleticism to get himself back in plays when he’s beat early. A playmaker on the ball. Tackles with composure, balance and venom.
CON’S: Raw. Just two years playing the position after failing to make the grade as a receiver. Despite instant production he isn’t a natural - needs to develop play recognition, timing and footwork - namely his backpedal. Lacks elite fluidity and loses ground mirroring receivers in and out of breaks, opening windows for a pass. Doesn’t trust himself when he doesn’t see it unfold in front of him - has the pace to match vertically but not the instincts to play the catch point when he can’t see the ball. Grabby when he’s losing on a play and will attract his fair share of penalties.
SIMON CARROLL: “If you’re looking for the cornerback with the most upside in this draft then perhaps Noah is your guy - he has been remarkably productive for Auburn despite his unrefined game and lack of experience playing the position. He’ll be a liability at first, especially if you throw him out on an island one-on-one with a veteran pass catcher. But if you give him the license to get physical in the slot whilst developing his game he could be a very good day two pick for someone”.
NFL COMPARISON: ROCK YA-SIN
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 195lbs
PRO’S: Strong and tough corner who finally found his way into the Buckeyes starting lineup after he learned how to dominate at the line of scrimmage. Violent hands and knows how to disrupt a receiver heading into his route. Smart body usage when riding shotgun with a receiver, working them out of the catch contest on vertical routes. Good anticipation - quick to mirror breaks and keep in the play. Fierce competitor - will fight all day for the football. Loves offering run support and has no problem fighting off blocks and zeroing in on the ball carrier. Well coached with good discipline, maintaining watch of QB & WR throughout the play.
CON’S: Short-area fluidity and quickness not matched with straight line speed. Will likely need safety help over the top against deep threats. Short arms which will inhibit his ability to high point the football and disengage from blocks at the next level, something his play strength and tenacity mitigated at college. Struggled to lock down a starting job until his final season and has little in the way of production - just five interceptions and two forced fumbles in a four year career.
SIMON CARROLL: “In today’s NFL, Damon Arnette projects as a press corner who can play inside or outside. His natural play strength is complemented with adequate athleticism and transition skills, although he will be stretched by the speedsters at the next level. Teams in a tough, run-first division that look for aggression from their secondary will be circling for his services somewhere on day two”.
COMPARISON: KYLE FULLER
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’2”. Weight: 185lbs
PRO’S: Rangy. Big long arms and able to make plays in every area of the field. Combative when up against bigger receivers, disrupting the catch point with his length. Impressive in space, maintaining position discipline and not leaving throwing lanes open for the quarterback. Has good football smarts and anticipation, breaking from zone to the football quickly. Proficient in coverage responsibilities even when designed to confuse. A fighter - gives up nothing for free and is a general pain in the backside to any receiver under his jurisdiction.
CON’S: Press coverage will not be his forte despite his competitive demeanour - just not got the play strength or lower body power to compete at the line of scrimmage. His aggressiveness leaves him susceptible to some big mistakes, particularly in run support where he throws himself at ball carriers in the open field. Inconsistent tackler with little focus on wrapping up. Suffocating coverage could see lots of flags at the next level.
SIMON CARROLL: “There’s not many cornerbacks out there with as much room to grow as Dantzler does. If teams can add some muscle mass to his lean frame then he’ll be much more proficient in run duties and press coverage, making his game much more well-rounded. Until then he’s perfectly capable of dominating in zone and even competing in off-man. If he slides to day three then someone is getting a steal”.
NFL COMPARISON: DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 200lbs
PRO’S: A playmaker with the ball in the air. Had 33 passes defended in 32 games as a starter. Physical corner in every aspect of the position - fights for the football on contested catches, violent first jab in press coverage, and ruthless tackler - 154 total tackles in his college career. Long arms aid him with an impressive tackle radius and the ability to manipulate blockers and zero in on the football. Trusts what he sees in zone coverage, anticipating route combos and breaks, and has good reaction speed when breaking onto the football.
CON’S: Suspect athleticism and fluidity - stiff hips give him questionable transitioning when mirroring in press or off-man. Has decent long speed but his poor acceleration takes him too long to reach it, opening up passing windows on deep routes. Was unable to showcase during the limited pre-draft process due to a significant ankle injury in his final year at Virginia. The injury sidelined him for the rest of the season and required surgery, which NFL scouts would ideally like to check for themselves.
SIMON CARROLL: “If this draft class came out last year, Bryce Love would be one of the top three corners in the group. He was the best ball-playing cornerback in college football in 2018, and only injury has knocked him off the top of the mountain. What he lacks in movement he more than makes up for with his intelligence, and if he’s healthy and ends up in a zone-heavy scheme he could be a real find on day three of this draft”.
NFL COMPARISON: JAMES BRADBERRY
PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 5’11”. Weight: 193lbs
PRO’S: Ideal size, strength and athleticism for an NFL cornerback. Highly cerebral defensive back who showcases good football smarts on the field. Excels in space - at his best when playing zone and reading the game in front of him. Comfortable with his positional sense and area of responsibility. Love his fluidity in transition and mirroring, and has the quick-twitch read and react to break on the football and jump throwing lanes. Composed under pressure and focuses on the catch point when recovering rather than getting grabby. Has the speed and change of direction quickness to shadow receivers in man coverage.
CON’S: Lack of length. Makes it difficult for him to re-direct receivers off the line in press, and even harder for him to get involved in run defense when being framed out by opponents. Struggles to compete for jump balls at the high-point. Effort in run game suspect too - happy to stay engaged on the outside and let others scrape to the football across the middle. Needs more eye discipline when mirroring receivers - eyes too often on the quarterback and finds himself losing his man.
SIMON CARROLL: “An intriguing prospect, Troy Pride is a sneaky clever corner who operates most effectively in zone where he can keep an aye on everything and maximise his athleticism. His physical limitations will stop him from playing at the line - something that many NFL teams covet. But at the very least he can find a home in subpackages where you have three or more cornerbacks on the field in obvious passing situations”.
NFL COMPARISON: BRIAN POOLE
PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 5’9”. Weight: 172lbs
PRO’S: TOUGH AS NAILS. Do not let the short stature fool you - Amik Roertson plays like a Jack Russell with a Rottweiler mentality. Gives absolutely nothing away for free - has the pop of a guy thirty pounds heavier when jamming in press coverage. He will snap and snarl every inch of the receivers route. Impressive fluidity when mirroring his opponent’s breaks - gives very little distance up upon change of direction. Remarkable click & close speed when playing in space. Attacks the catch point with relish. Absolute ball hawk, racking up 34 passes defended and 14 picks in his time at LA Tech. Embraces run support duties.
CON’S: Very small, likely limited to nickel duties in the NFL. Lack of length will be more apparent at the next level, where he can’t use his aggression and speed to mitigate it - he’ll get locked out of some run plays and his trademark aggression in press coverage won’t be as effective. Lees natural in zone coverage - looks a bit uneasy in space and wants to key in on a target as quickly as possible. Lack of tape against elite receivers - will his all-out attack style of defense work at a higher level?
SIMON CARROLL: “Whoever coined the phrase ‘it’s not the size of dog in the fight…’ must have been watching tape of Amik Robertson at the time. No player, no scenario intimidates him, and he brings a level of violence to the position that, frankly, is a bit scary. He’s undersized and his style of play allows teams to ask questions regarding durability, but he can definitely play in the NFL. He’s a starting nickel corner and I’d be surprised if he isn’t an early draft pick on day three”.
NFL COMPARISON: ANTOINE WINFIELD
PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’2”. Weight: 206lbs
PRO’S: Well built - has the size and length that NFL teams covet. He’s a bully, and loves to dominate even the bigger receivers with his power. When he times it right with good accuracy, his initial strike in press coverage is deadly. He makes it ridiculously hard work for a receiver to get around him and ahead of him. Shrugs off blocks with relative ease, and when he keys onto the football shows torpedo-like qualities to get to the ball carrier. Impressive length makes him a tackling machine - his sheer radius and strong arms means he wraps up anything in his postcode. Hits like a sledgehammer when he shows good timing and balance.
CONS: Shows impressive amounts of athleticism for a big cornerback but don’t mistake him for a flier - he’s got some natural stiffness to his hips that make sit difficult to mirror throughout the route and a sluggish acceleration that never really lets him get top top speed. More debilitating is his lack of football smarts. Play diagnosis spotty at best, and shows a distinct shortage of anticipation which would significantly aide him in masking his shortage of short-area quickness. A lot of technique issues that he hasn’t made the effort to address. Not a natural in space, much preferring to get his hands on someone early.
SIMON CARROLL: “This guy reminds me of Brandon Browner so much it’s uncanny. An absolute brute who is physically intimidating at the line of scrimmage but a potential disaster in coverage. Jackson will definitely appeal to a team that covets big physical corners but there’s a hell of a learning curve before he sees the field on a regular basis. If the mental side of the game clicks then he could be a devastatingly effective outside corner. He’ll come off the board earlier than you’d think”.
NFL COMPARISON: BRANDON BROWNER
PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 5’9”. Weight: 191lbs
PRO’S: Excellent ball skills - 45 passes defended during his time in Winston-Salem, to go with 5 picks to boot. Bassey is a master of chaos, turning plays into free for alls with an unabashed desire to harry and confuse receivers play in, play out. He’s quick and can match the slicker pass catchers stride for stride. Quick, twitchy feet make him an asset close to the line of scrimmage where he can keep on top of routes. Like his loose hips that help him maintain speed throughout his transitions. Shows the urgency off the snap to be a potential factor as a blitzer, and quick enough to get ahead of blocks in the run game.
CON’S: There’s not much subtlety to his game. His positioning and movement telegraphs his intentions to the receiver, who if smart enough will be able to counter and use against him. He’s hasty with his decision-making and has tape where he drops clangers at big moments in games. Undersized but more importantly lacks some play strength and has short arms, which crucify him in press coverage. If he gets caught on a block he isn’t getting off it, and his long speed isn’t sufficient enough to make up for a lack of length when playing the ball deep and over his shoulder.
SIMON CARROLL: “Bassey has some correctable bad habits that, if cleaned up, could make him a significant asset as a nickel corner in the NFL. A little patience and work on disguising his intentions will make a remarkable difference. There’s no making his arms longer, which is his major problem. But twelve months ago he was on scout’s radars and I fail to see how a decent 2019 has changed that. Slot receivers will hate going up against him”.
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 5’9”. Weight: 186lbs
PRO’S: Another undersized, athletic, competitve corner, this time with plus football IQ to boot. Gives everything he’s got on every play - if the receiver makes the catch, you better believe he’s earned it. Explosive when coming downhill and attacking the football, and offers rare run support from a nickel corner his size. Short-area quickness bordering on elite, with loose hips and the ability to change direction without losing a beat. Can keep pace downfield on deep passes. Loves to tackle. Hits with some force too, a low center of gravity allowing him to explode upwards and with good velocity.
CON’S: No amount of fight is going to help him against the big bodied receivers in the NFL - he’ll be brushed aside in press coverage and taken for a walk on run plays. Again, length is a concern - not so much at the line (teams would be well-advised not to line him up there) but more at the catch point, particularly when racing back to his own endzone. He’s rough around the edges in terms of technique - wasted steps, route pursuit and eye discipline all need work. A lack of control to his game that has arisen from the need to be ultra-aggressive.
SIMON CARROLL: “There’s tools to work with here. Bandy has been getting a lot of traction as a day three prospect with some upside because his game can take a huge step forward with some good coaching at the next level. His size precludes him from playing outside but he has planty in the locker to operate in zone or off-man where he’s able to see it develop in front of him. His instincts are second to none and you can see him being very productive lining up over the slot”.
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 5’9”. Weight: 188lbs
PRO’S: S**t off a shovel fast. Posted the fastest forty yard dash time at the combine this year at 4.29 seconds. Has the rare quick-twitch speed that you look for in a nickel corner - it’s as if acceleration isn’t a thing, he’s top speed from the get go. Quick feet make him extremely sticky throughout the route, not losing a step on his opponent. Strong, muscular body for his height and looks durable. Demonstrates good play strength on tape - launches himself to the catch point or into the ball carrier. Relentless worker on and off the field & coaches praise his locker room presence. Bonus value on special teams as a gunner.
CON’S: Lack of length, and paired with his undersized stature makes it hard for him to compete for jump balls with taller outside receivers. Tackling technique needs work - tends to throw himself at the ball carrier rather than wrap up securely. Doesn’t display good football IQ pre-snap - diagnosing offenses a weakness with little to know route recognition or play anticipation. Struggles mightily in run duties, particularly breaking off blocks, although effort is not in question.
SIMON CARROLL: “There is no doubt that Javelin Guidry benefited from being on the same field as Jaylon Johnson - he tended to be covering WR2’s making his life easier. That’s not to diminish what he brings to the table - his track speed is an asset that not many corners have in their locker and it can keep him in any play despite the lack of instincts and technique. He’s an obvious candidate for nickel duties at the next level, and with some coaching and growth could develop into a spot starter in the future”.
NFL PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 5’10”. Weight: 192lbs
PRO’S: Quick corner who has the acceleration and top end speed to keep up with the faster receivers. Very smooth across the field with a silky change of direction - loses little to no speed. Good co-ordination between feet and body - backpedal crisp and clean with good weight distribution and speed into transition. Plays with good vision, keeps half an eye on the quarterback and is a good tracker of the ball in the air. Shows good burst to head to the catch point when shadowing in off-man.
CON’S: Undersized and a lack of play strength. Finds it difficult to mirror out of press as he’s usually bullied off the line of scrimmage. Lack of length doesn’t help in this regard. Disappointing level of aggression to his game - shy in his tackling, has little to no interest getting involved in the run game, and barely acceptable levels of fight on contested catches. Gets lost sometimes mirroring his opponents route, giving him too much separation before using his speed to close the gap.
SIMON CARROLL: “A confusing prospect to scout. Holmes has the speed and fluidity to play across the field in man coverage, but none of the play strength to compete in press. His size and closing speed suggests nickel corner to play inside, but his demeanour lacks the feisty attitude needed to mix it up across the middle. He’s an asset to a team if he can line up in off-man and capitalise on his athleticism and nose for the football, but his lack of versatility hurts his draft stock”.
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 5’10”. Weight: 166lbs
PRO’S: Flashes elite athleticism. Very pretty backpedal that transitions into pursuit effortlessly. Straight line quick and shows good horizontal quickness whilst in zone. Sticky with the quicker receivers, refusing to yield an inch through their breaks. Love his positioning and tracking when the ball is in the air - always gives himself a shot to make a play. Relatively productive in limited starts at Michigan State and has a nose for an interception. Not afraid to throw himself into a tackle. Played all over the formation in East Lansing, excelling in a number of different roles and coverages.
CON’S: Severely undersized for the position. College career marred with a litany of injuries, including a meniscus injury as a sophomore that limited him to five games. Scouts have real concerns about his durability as a nickel corner in the NFL. Obvious lack of play strength - Despite his willingness his effectiveness in the run game is limited. Bullied by bigger receivers in press coverage. Arm length, catch radius and wingspan limit his ability to make plays on the ball that his athleticism puts him in a position to achieve.
SIMON CARROLL: “Dedicated to his craft and an innate understanding of the position, Josiah Scott can operate in most roles as a cornerback. His lack of length limits his ability to compete as a press corner but he still operated with success on the outside at Michigan State due to his quick recovery skills. The sad fact is that unless he adds some more muscle weight to his frame he’s always going to be one hit away from the medical tent. If he can bulk up, he’s an ideal slot corner in today’s NFL”.
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 192lbs
PRO’S: Strong, physical corner with some power behind his pads. Willing to mix it up at the line of scrimmage, his first strike firm and consistently able to redirect his opponent. Well versed in all roles at the position - played all kinds of coverage at Temple; press, off-man, and zone. Good football instincts and you can see he’s comfortable operating in space. Shows an innate understanding of dangers posed by offensive alignments and uses good positioning to help him counter. Keeps one eye on the quarterback at all times. Pleased with his fundamentals when tackling and footwork when moving horizontally.
CON’S: Athletically lacking. Stiff hips evident on tape, and frequently gives separation when mirroring the receiver’s breaks. Backpedal looks awkward, and there is significant gearing down from transition to pursuit. Deep speed or recovery speed just not good enough to get him back into plays. Can be grabby when losing and will probably incur more penalties, particularly early in his career.
SIMON CARROLL: “Rumours of a switch to safety swirl around Hand and you can see why - his strength is in zone coverage where he can see the play in front of him, and moving him to strong safety would allow a team to take advantage of his physicality and also aide in the run game, where he can be an asset. There’s no denying he’s slow, and coaches don’t like to be limited to what scheme’s they run based on ability, but Hand’s skill set should allow him to carve out a pro career for himself”.
NFL PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 5’10”. Weight: 185lbs
PRO’S: Absolute baller. Ultra competitive and takes it personally - in a good way. Talks smack to the opposition at every opportunity and is well versed in the mind games the position can demand. Undisputed leader of the secondary, and his passion rubs off on the rest of his teammates akin to the brotherhood the Legion of Boom enjoyed in their heyday. Impressive football instincts and anticipation. Elite playmaking skills - 9 interceptions and 25 passes defended in the last three years. Excellent footwork and positioning. Raised his game against the elite competition, with good performances against LSU, Minnesota, Auburn and in particular Clemson (held the Tigers to just 10 yards when thrown his way, & picked off Trevor Lawrence).
CON’S: Boom or bust attitude to each and every play. Has given up huge plays trying to make a play on the ball when the situation called for a wrap-up tackle. Speed is a concern - if receivers get beyond him he doesn’t have the make-up speed to get back into the play. Gets a little twitchy and wants to get his hands on someone - a touch awkward in space. Not afraid to blow up a play and incur a flag if he’s beaten. Disappointing levels of effort in the run game for a guy who prides himself on competitiveness. Adding some more muscle mass to his frame would benefit him at the next level.
SIMON CARROLL: “The 2019 tape isn’t quite up there with 2018, but Kindle Vildor has the instincts and ball skills to be a productive cornerback in the NFL. He’s undersized, a tad slow, and too eager to make the splash play - all of which will culminate in moments of chaos and chunk plays. What I love about him is how he steps it up against the best - I’d imagine that would continue at the next level”.
PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 180lbs
PRO’S: Sticky. Lynches on to a receiver and refuses to be shaken off. Has the short-area quickness to match up to receivers with a nice smooth backpedal and good agility when transitioning into pursuit. Feisty with a healthy dose of self assurance. Loves to mix it up with opponents and will battle for every ball on every play. Shows good instincts and reaction speed when the play develops in front of his eyes and he’s able to jump the routes. Likes to hit and offers good effort in run defense duties.
CON’S: Skinny frame makes it difficult for him to play press. Liable to be bullied off the snap despite his aggression and effort. He has short arms which will limit his effectiveness as a ball player at the next level. Very linear and plays quite tall, further inhibiting his power on engagement. Not as fluid as you’d like and uncomfortable mirroring on deep sideline routes - not going to be an outside corner in the NFL. Can sometimes be overaggressive and will be a flag magnet when beaten on plays.
SIMON CARROLL: “Oh yeah! There’s a lot to enjoy when watching Jackson’s tape - he rubs receivers up the wrong way with his persistent attention but he doesn’t care & continues to bring it play after play. His role is limited at the next level to nickel corner, and he’d be better suited to teams playing off-man or zone so he can loiter a little deeper and attack downfield. You’re not getting the complete package and outside of discipline there’s little room to grow, but he can definitely play on Sundays”.
PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 200lbs
PRO’S: Prototypical size and weight for the NFL. Body beautiful, ripped from top to toe. Good length which he uses well to high point the football, jam at the line and shed off blocks in the run game. Physical corner - loves to play with aggression, come downhill and attack the football. Impressive spacial awareness in zone with good communication to his colleagues as opponents move in and out. Good locator of the football and has playmaking skills, recording six interceptions and fifteen passes defended in his final two years at Iowa. Enjoys laying the wood and delivering hammer blows to unsuspecting ball carriers.
CON’S: Athletically challenged. Stiff hips give him problems in transition and mirroring receivers throughout their routes. Lack of anticipation doesn’t help here either - very little evidence of play diagnosis prior to snap. Acceleration is underwhelmeing and he takes too long to reach top speed. Speedster receivers will leave him for dust if they get a clean release and teams will undoubtedly have to shade safety help his direction. Reckless tackler at times and will leave his defense in a hole with whiffs.
SIMON CARROLL: “Ojemudia is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. His lack of athleticism is really going to cut his number of suitors down, even when you consider the lack of pro days around the country that would have otherwise let others showcase their speed. He needs to find a home that plays zone coverage with a penchant for the more physical corner, and even then he’s a backup with little in the way of upside”.
PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 199lbs
PRO’S: Passes the eyeball test - fits the pre-requisite mould of an outside corner at the next level. Shows good play strength in close quarters, with an ability to land hands cleanly and violently and re-direct receivers at the line of scrimmage. Enjoys being physical throughout the route, and is a pest at the catch point. Shows good timing to disrupt the pass and height aides him in competing for jump balls. Willing tackler and particularly good at last ditch, ‘shoestring’ tackles. Willing to throw his body in there to take down the big boys. When he’s in stride, he can keep up on vertical routes.
CON’S: Some cleaning up required on technique and fundamentals. Tackling first - willing but poor form. Plays tall and tackles high, losing leverage and ending up sliding down the body. Wrap up needs work, and needs to focus on making sure rather than an explosive hit. Fluidity in and around the line of scrimmage is a struggle for him to overcome and stay in strike distance of the receiver. Restricted acceleration limits his ability to close on the football. Slightly short arms inhibit his playmaking ability. Looks for jersey when he knows he can’t recover on a play, and could attract flags early in his pro career.
SIMON CARROLL: “AJ Green is undoubtedly a project for an NFL team looking for size and physicality in an outside corner. You’d hope that with dedication to his tackling he could be much more reliable in one-on-one situations, but he’s by no means a certainty to reach his potential. He has a low floor but for a late-round pick also shows the potential to be a valuable asset to a cornerback group. A team with a veteran secondary with a high work ethic would be ideal for his development”.
Read Oliver Hodgkinson’s interview with AJ Green here:
PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK.
Height: 5’9”. Weight: 185lbs
PRO’S: Ultra-competitive. Began his Washington career as a walk-on and he plays like he has something to prove on every down. Insatiable consumer of gametape, and you can see a direct correlation on the field - he demonstrates excellent anticipation pre-snap and an intricate understanding of the offense’s intentions. Controlled aggression on the field that he unleashes with plus athleticism - his read and react speed is impressive and he’s lightning when breaking on the football. Fires around the field in a frenzy. Competes with bigger opponents with a blend of dialled-up aggression and tweaked technique to make it a footrace.
CON’S: Likely restricted to nickel duties at the next level, primarily due to a lack of length. If he’s playing as a press corner in the NFL he won’t be able to disguise his lack of play strength like he has at Washington. He’s feisty in the tackle but it’s core strength that betrays him, and he can get tied up on blocks all too easily. Has the perfect skillset as a strong safety but lack of size will mean a necessity to play as a slot corner, where he’s only had limited reps. Long speed doesn’t match his short-area quickness, and when trailing on deep routes doesn’t have the arms to disrupt the play.
SIMON CARROLL: “Myles Bryant is a guy you can’t help but root for. High-character, locker room leader, gametape junkie, battles through adversity - he’s a coaches dream. There’s some obvious weaknesses to his game but ultimately it boils down to a lack of length and play strength, neither of which are likely to change at the next level. This is why he will transition to cornerback and play nickel, a role that is becoming more important in the NFL. I truly think he has the perseverance to make a success of himself”.
PREDICTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 179lbs
PRO’S: Interesting prospect with the required athleticism and length to be an ideal corner at the next level. Instincts stand out on tape - he just knows where the football is, and his long arms help him make plays on the ball at the catch point. Those arms aide him in press - they’re not powerful but they allow him to match the receivers release and his foot speed does the rest. Change of direction speed is elite, and if he’s in position on a route even the best route runners won’t shake him in and out of breaks.
CON’S: He desperately needs to add more weight. Every deficiency in his game stems from a lack of play strength. No pop behind his pads to redirect at the line. Contested catches prove to be an issue despite his long arms - he just gets out-muscled. Tackling is particularly concerning - bounces off bodies, not enough power in his arms to wrestle guys down. Same concerns in run support - can’t fight through blocks to get to the ball carrier. Deep speed not on par with his short-area athleticism.
SIMON CARROLL: “Finding upside in the late rounds is how you win championships. Nevelle Clarke is a long-term project that requires some serious dedication to the weight room and his diet in order to bulk up and add some much-needed strength to his game. There’s no guarantee that he can do that, or that he won’t lose some of his quickness if he does. BUT. If he can, then he offers that rare high ceiling that a late day three prospect doesn’t often provide”.
PREDICTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 5’11”. Weight: 182lbs
PRO’S: Angry cornerback who likes to play as physical as his frame allows. Savvy ball player, in tune with the rhythm of the play and when the quarterback has released the football. Active eyes - keeps himself in check with his opponent throughout the route whilst also keeping tabs on the QB. Enjoys denying a reception. Shows good patience on the outside, allowing the receiver to tip his hand before making his own intentions clear. Smart use of body on sideline routes, easing his opponent away from the catch zone.
CON’S: Lack of agility precludes him from playing nickel. Just doesn’t possess the click and close speed to break on the football. Struggles in space and short-area speed restricts his effectiveness in zone. Acceleration is acceptable but top speed lacking, and if he finds himself on the outside of a play looking in he struggles to get back into it. Doesn’t have the ideal size or strength for an outside corner, despite the natural aggression he brings to the position. Offers little to nothing in run support.
SIMON CARROLL: “Lavert Hill has top-end instincts for the cornerback position - he understands route concepts, positioning and is a playmaker with the ball in the air. Unfortunately he falls short in categories you just can’t teach. With undesirable size, length and speed it looks like he’s a late round flyer for a team looking to fill out their cornerback group with smart guys”.
PREDICTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 202lbs
PRO’S: A big guy with impressive wingspan. Length and physicality are his hallmarks. His arms make him a threat with the ball in the air, and he had thirteen passes defended and three picks in his final year as a Golden Hurricane. Impressive natural play strength - can redirect at the line of scrimmage and fighting for the football is not a problem. Loves to hit hard. Will be a natural asset in the run game as an outside corner who can funnel the play inside and/or break onto the ball carrier.
CON’S: Athletic limitations limit his ceiling. Slow get-off as a press corner, with significant gearing down in transition to pursuit. Receivers have separation early in the route if he doesn’t land a clean hit, and he doesn’t have the speed to close the passing window. Backpedal in off-man is more of a back stumble, and gets lost when his opponent comes in and out of breaks. Likes to feel his receiver and if he can’t, loses track of the route when locating the football. More effort to be dominant against the run would be appreciated.
SIMON CARROLL: “Robinson is garnering some hype as a late-round steal in this draft, but his skillset very much constricts him to a certain type of defense. If you champion big, long corners with physicality and an eye for the football then he’s your guy, but it’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy when you line him up in press. Anything other than that, he’s just not quick enough to make an impact. I see very little room to develop”.
PREDICTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Feature Image Credit: Paul Vernon (Associated Press)
Simon Carroll
CFB/NFL DRAFT EDITOR
PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN SCOUTING DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE. HE FULLY MIGRATED TO THE TOUCHDOWN AS HEAD OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND NFL DRAFT CONTENT IN JULY 2019. ALL THE RANKINGS ABOVE ARE HIS OWN, AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF ALL THE WRITERS AT THE TOUCHDOWN. FOR DISCUSSION OF ANY OF THE DRAFT PROSPECTS ABOVE, HIT HIM UP ON TWITTER @NFLDRAFTSI.