Darnay Holmes 2020 NFL Draft Profile

After three years at UCLA, cornerback Darnay Holmes is skipping his final year of eligibility to enter the 2020 NFL Draft. Most players try to enter the draft on the heels of their best season, but Holmes wasn’t able to do that. Playing in 597 snaps, the UCLA product allowed 28 receptions on 51 targets for 311 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. Pro Football Focus gave Holms a 61.2 overall grade, the worst of his career.

Holmes initially entered the college football landscape as a five-star recruit. Ranked 22^nd overall by 24/7 Sports, Holmes eventually decided to take his talents to UCLA. As a true freshman, Holmes allowed 28 receptions on 42 target for 407 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. One year later, the Calabasas native allowed 40 reception on 69 targets for 619 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Strengths

Has stretches of play where he looks like a first-round cornerback;

Film shows athletic, explosive traits that can still be refined;

Impressive ball skills as evidenced by eight collegiate interceptions;

Muscular frame suggests he can hold up to NFL physicality;

Quick hips allow for change of direction without losing speed;

Aggressive player that isn’t afraid to try to make plays on the ball;

Has experience as a returner on special teams.

Weaknesses

Wildly inconsistent cornerback that’s hard to get a wrap on;

Aggressiveness can lead to biting hard on double moves;

2^nd percentile arm length and 23^rd percentile height;

Whiffs when lined up in press coverage at too high a rate;

Lack of height shows up in the red zone – 14 touchdowns allowed over three seasons;

Sometimes slow to recover when beat;

Had perhaps the worst season of his career as a junrio;

NFL Comparison: Alfonzo Dennard (on-field comparison only)

Projection: 3^rd Round

Bottom Line on Darnay Holmes

It’s hard to get a read on exactly who Darnay Holmes is as a prospect. On the one hand, the UCLA product has some of the best reps you’ll see from anyone in this class. Based on the film, he’s an athletic stud capable of staying with his man down field, moving laterally with ease, and diagnosing routes to make plays on the ball. Even though he’s on the shorter size, his muscular build should allow him to succeed at the NFL level. As a cherry on top, Holmes is also able to contribute right out of the gate on special teams.

Holmes at his best is a first-round talent, but he’s barely draftable at his worst. He seemingly forgets how to play the position sometimes, although one could hope that an NFL coaching staff can help him find some consistency. Even if he becomes more consistent, he still has some glaring red flags. Homes’ aggressiveness is a double-edge sword, as it leaves him heavily vulnerable to double moves. Additionally, he won’t do too well in jump ball/red zone situations thanks to his below-average height and wingspan. You’ll be in trouble if Holmes is the best cornerback on the roster, but he’s more than capable of playing a supporting role as a CB2 or CB3.