Rachad Wildgoose NFL Draft Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 5’-11”
Weight: 197 pounds
School: Wisconsin
2021 NFL Draft: Rachad Wildgoose Player Profile
After a successful three-year collegiate career at Wisconsin, cornerback Rachad Wildgoose is taking his talents to the NFL Draft. The cornerback is coming off an abbreviated season, playing in only two games before contracting COVID-19. After coming down with the virus, Wildgoose entered quarantine and announced he’d miss the rest of the season to focus on the 2021 NFL Draft. During his short time on the field, Wildgoose allowed six receptions on 11 targets for 73 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Wildgoose initially joined the college football ranks as a three-star recruit. Despite his relatively pedestrian recruit status, the Miami native managed to see the field quite a bit as a true freshman. Appearing in 495 snaps, the cornerback allowed 31 receptions on 53 targets for 363 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. He improved as a Sophomore, allowing just 26 receptions on 54 targets for 329 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
Strengths
- Very fast player with the speed to keep up with just about anyone;
- Ideal size and build for the position;
- Great short-area quickness;
- Moves inside and outside and knows the required technique for both roles;
- Most tape comes from freshman and sophomore season, so there should be room for growth;
- Originally committed as a safety and could return to the role in an emergency situation.
Weaknesses
- Relatively wild play leads to some unnecessary penalties;
- Has the tools to play man coverage, but rarely did it at Wisconsin;
- Atrocious tackler – won’t provide much run support;
- Needs to prove he’s healthy after suffering season-ending shoulder injury;
- Needs to fine-tune the subtle nuances of the position.
NFL Comparison: Eric Rowe
Teams With Need at Position: San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints
Projection: 2nd-3rd Round
Bottom Line on Rachad Wildgoose
Based on ceiling alone, Rachad Wildgoose could be as good as any cornerback in this draft class. The Wisconsin product has the height and build that all teams desire, and he certainly checks the athleticism box when watching the tape. He has the speed to keep up with any receiver going downfield and the quickness to successfully move into the slot. He has plenty of positional versatility, knows how to fall back into a zone, and has the raw traits to play man coverage – although he hardly did that at college.
The biggest issue with Wildgoose is the unknowns associated with him. Wisconsin hardly played any man coverage, so it’s impossible to know whether Wildgoose can play this type of coverage with any regularity. Teams that run man-heavy schemes might have to pass on him for a safer commodity.
Additionally, Wildgoose needs to play some more disciplined football. He racked up 12 penalties over the past two years, which is especially worrisome when you realize injuries limited him to just 56 snaps last year. On top of that, the cornerback has terrible tackling fundamentals and will be an active liability in run support.
However, the pros far outweigh the cons with Wildgoose, especially when considering just how high his ceiling is. He should be gone in the second or third round and easily has the chance to be a steal at that selection.
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