Redo’s of the 2016 NFL Draft recently came pouring in without a surprising number one pick overall, Dak Prescott. And running it back, he’d be the best pick since Andrew Luck was taken in 2012. That means two things; one, FOR GOD’S SAKE DON’T HIRE RYAN GRIGSON! And two, every year there’s a hidden gem in the draft. Why? Maybe because many scouts’ judgement are overridden by bad management (Jeff Fisher/Les Snead… Goff!), or a prospect’s value plummets because pictures of them in a gas mask surfaces, or maybe the scouting is just wrong. How else does Todd Gurley almost get passed up for Melvin Gordon?
Anyway, let’s put on the scouting hat and try to accurately assess this year’s prospects starting with the cornerbacks, and moving on to other positions in this year’s scouting series. Just know that Youtube highlight videos are being used as scouting tapes and this is a first time “in-depth” dig on prospects. Hopefully crash and burning doesn’t ensue… fingers crossed.
Scouting the 2017 Cornerback Prospects
1. Sidney Jones
Measurements: 6’0, 180 pounds
Analysis: +good interception hands +great hips rotation +rarely gets beat on deep ball ++super glued to receivers
Interesting fact: didn’t allow a single touchdown in coverage in 2016
Grade: Mid first Rounder
2. Gareon Conley
Measurements: 6’2″, 185 pounds
Analysis: ++great coverage skills/glued to wr +decent interception hands +decent tackler
Interesting fact: recorded 8 passes broken up and 4 interceptions last year
Grade: Late first to early second Rounder
3. Marshon Lattimore
Measurements: 6’0, 192 pounds
Analysis: +great interception hands +reads the QB great +plays run/screen well -can be beat on deep ball +good awareness
Interesting fact: Allowed an NFL passer rating of just 30.2 on throws into his coverage[1]
Grade: Mid to late first Round
4. Tre’Davious White
Measurements: 5’11”, 176 pounds
Analysis: -okay coverage skills +good speed -can be beaten on deep balls +decent return skills
Interesting fact: Allowed a completion percentage of 41.7 percent on throws into his coverage
Grade: Mid to late second Rounder
5. Marlon Humphrey
Measurements: 6’1″, 198 pounds
Analysis: +good coverage skills +good strip skills +good recognition of plays/screens +good tackler
Interesting fact: recorded 33 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 5 pass breakups last year
Grade: second Rounder
6. Jalen “Teez” Tabor
Measurements: 6’0, 201 pounds
Analysis: +good interception hands +good blitzer +would be intriguing as a free safety -decent coverage skills -bad hips -not quick feet
Interesting fact: Allowed an NFL passer rating of 41.2 over the past three years
Grade: Mid second to early third
7. Quincy Wilson
Measurements: 6’1, 214 pounds
Analysis: +good coverage +decent interception hands -inconsistent deep coverage
Interesting fact: recorded 33 tackles with six passes broken up and three interceptions
Grade: Mid second to early third Rounder
8. Cordrea Tankersley
Measurements: 6’1″, 190 pounds
Analysis: +good coverage skills +decent interception hands -not quick feet
Interesting fact: Allowed a passer rating of only 41.2 in two full seasons
Grade: Mid second Rounder
9. Adoree Jackson
Measurements: 5’11”, 185 pounds
Analysis: +good hands ++great return skills after interception +great special team skills -decent coverage
Interesting fact: recorded 55 tackles with 11 passes broken up and five interceptions. He also returned two kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns in 2016 along with a touchdown reception on offense.
Grade: second to fourth Rounder
[1] Passer rating ranges from 0-158.3, anything around 72.2 is like having Brock Osweiler throw in your direction (Good for DBs!)
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