Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 206 pounds
School: UCLA Bruins
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.35 seconds (second among cornerbacks)
Vertical jump: 38 inches (fifth among cornerbacks)
Broad jump: 11 feet, 4 inches (tied for second at 2017 Combine)
Three-cone drill: 6.94 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.12 seconds
60-yard shuttle: 11.45 seconds
Fabian Moreau 2017 NFL Draft Profile
Fabian Moreau came out of high school as a running back prospect. He was a three-star recruit from Davie, FL who did not see much attention from the big schools in his home state. It took him to UCLA where he started his college career making special teams plays. Moreau was then convinced to make the switch to defense. With limited defensive snaps as a freshman, he began to see the field as a sophomore. He recorded 52 tackles, and broke up four passes in his first year as a defensive back, going on to be named an honorable mention All-Pac 12 player.
His junior year saw his progression grow. Moreau recorded 53 tackles, defended eight passes and added an interception on his way to being named a second team All-Pac 12 performer. The buzz around Moreau, and his incredible upside for being so raw at the position led him into a lost senior year. He played in three games before Lisfranc surgery ended his 2015 season. Moreau applied for a medical redshirt, and got it, giving him a chance to impress draft scouts in his second senior season. He did just that, and showed that he can come back from a foot injury, which is very tough for your typical cornerback to do.
Moreau played in ten games and recorded 31 tackles, while adding in a career high two interceptions. Given his high upside, but inexperience at the position and injury status of a year ago, Moreau was invited to the East-West Shrine game. He flashed in the event, but a minor injury from it caused him to sit out the Senior Bowl. However, he was healthy and ready to roll for the Combine, and showed himself to be an impressive athlete. Much is expected considering his quick and easy position change. Unfortunately for Moreau, the injury bug seems to be following him.
At his Pro Day, Moreau tore his pectoral muscle while bench pressing, a relatively meaningless workout for a cornerback. Moreau expects to be back in time for the season, and the typical timetable agrees, but with Lisfranc and a few minor dings already on his report, it will absolutely affect his stock. How much, and when is the right time to take a bet on Fabian Moreau?
Strengths
- Quick feet.
- Makes strong breaks on the ball.
- Great recovery speed.
- Plays with physicality and is not afraid to press.
- Great athlete with a muscular frame.
Weaknesses
- Does not read the play well.
- Slow to react off of the line of scrimmage.
- Undisciplined in his coverage.
- Tackles too high at times.
- Injury history a significant concern and may limit impact as a rookie.
NFL Comparison: Byron Maxwell
Teams with needs at position: Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks
Projection: Late second to early third round
Bottom Line
Moreau would be best off in a cover-3 system. He can keep plays in front of him, and make quick breaks on the ball to defend passes. He does not have all of the refinement of a man corner, and does have that route recognition to mirror receivers, especially when playing press. Still, his athletic features, along with an ability to play fast and light on his feet make him a very intriguing player in the right system.
The obvious concerns with Moreau are injury related. Aside from the fact that he is raw in the position, he now has an old foot injury, and a new pectoral injury to worry about. Even if he is ready for the regular season, the question will be how prepared, and how much of an NFL training camp is the he able to participate in? It takes him off of the desired road for a rookie cornerback, and will slide a player with first round upside into the middle rounds of the NFL draft.
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