Via Last Word On Pro Football, by Matt Minich
Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6‘1”
Weight: 200
School: Clemson Tigers
Cordrea Tankersley 2017 NFL Draft Profile
Clemson’s College Football Playoff National Championship win over Alabama has caused a meteoric rise in the NFL Draft stock of quarterback Deshaun Watson and his top threat Mike Williams is the number one receiver on most boards. On the other side of the ball, cornerback Cordrea Tankersley will in all likelihood be the third Clemson Tiger off the board.
Tankersley played on a limited basis during his first two seasons at Clemson, but as a freshman he led the team in special teams tackles. His role increased dramatically as a junior when he became a starter on defense and recorded five interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and 60 tackles. His senior season was consistent with the previous year as he added four interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and 65 tackles to his resume.
Tankersley’s style of play and size hearken back to another Clemson defensive back, Byron Maxwell. He plays well with his hips turned. He can line up in a press position and after flipping his hips transition well into a deep field zone. He may be ideally suited for a team that runs a mix of press man coverage and cover three although he will need to become more proficient in his man-to-man skills. He has the ability to play man coverage, but needs to develop his technique.
Playing most effectively in zone coverage, Tankersley has excellent ball skills and a knack for getting interceptions. He is a physical tackler who is willing to get his hands dirty, but poor technique has led to missed tackles and a lack of confidence in his open field tackling. He has a lot of the requisite intangibles to succeed at the next level, however he needs to clean up his technique and reads in order to reach his potential.
Strengths
- good size.
- excellent ball skills.
- flips hips very well.
- quick change of direction speed.
- turnover machine.
- willing tackler.
- can contribute on special teams as well.
Weaknesses
- will gamble on an interception and will lose occasionally.
- can be manipulated in zone coverage by a good quarterback.
- needs to develop man-to-man skills.
- tackling technique needs to be cleaned up.
- hesitant when trying to make an open field tackle.
- does not get off blocks effectively.
- can get too high in his backpedal at times.
NFL Comparison: Byron Maxwell
Teams with Need a Position: New Orleans, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers
Projection: second round
Bottom Line:
Tankersley is a good all-around corner who has a knack for making plays. He will need to work on his tackling technique as well as his man coverage skills in order to reach his potential. He seems most comfortable with his hips flipped so a team that runs a good amount of cover three such as the Seahawks may be a good fit for him.
