Camryn Bynum NFL Draft Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6’0 3/8”
Weight: 198 pounds
School: California
Camryn Bynum 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Camryn Bynum was a three-star recruit, so he had numerous offers from schools with roster clarity like Colorado State, Army, Boise State, and Boston College. He chose the Cal Golden Bears of the Pac-12 and proved that hard work can reap benefits.
He was on the bench his first year but came in 2017 as a redshirt freshman and made an immediate impact, recording 58 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, a half-sack, two interceptions, and eight passes defended in 12 games. In 2019 he a top defensive playmaker, earning 59 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and nine deflections in 13 games.
2020 was a challenging year. Bynum had a torn meniscus in March. He worked hard to return by fall camp, but the Pac-12 postponed the fall season. He announced his choice to opt-out. However, the Pac-12 reversed course, reinstating the fall season and Bynum opted back in. He played only four games, but he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors.
On tape, Bynum shows the necessary traits of an eventual starter. He’s versatile, with snaps logged on the boundary, in the slot, and at safety. At just above 6 feet tall, he possesses good functional athleticism. He is fluid when transitioning his hips, yet shows flashes of explosiveness downhill.
Bynum has an aggressive, physical style of play, and good instincts. He has fast feet at the line and active hands in press coverage. Bynum isn’t afraid to disrupt route stems with his hands and he has decent ball skills in contested situations. He has enough instinctive quickness to sidestep blockers and shoot into the backfield for losses.
Bynum navigates the field easily in both man and zone coverage. His lateral athleticism is excellent in the short range. When squaring up against opponents, his tackling ability is solid.
There are a few concerns with Bynum, as with any player. His recovery is somewhat slow and his closing speed isn’t ideal against in-breaking routes. He gives up too much space on slants. While he can usually track passes, there are occasions in which he fails to locate the ball and can’t position himself in time to make a play. He also needs to bulk up his frame.
Strengths
- Scouts love his personal character;
- A four-year starter, two-time captain;
- High football IQ;
- Versatile;
- Disciplined playing, good spatial balance against high-low concepts;
- Fast feet, active hands;
- Size disrupts the catch point.;
- Good read and react from Cover 3 and short zone;
- Adequate run game.
Weaknesses
- Delayed punch-and-reset from press;
- Difficulty recovering once he’s behind;
- Long speed is a concern;
- Not enough quickness to stay connected to the route;
- Delayed trigger forward from top of his drop.
Teams with need at position: Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints
NFL Comparison: Bradley Roby
Bottom Line on Camryn Bynum
Bynum has good instincts and physicality, and he has been one of the most productive cornerbacks in college football. His positives outweigh the negatives, but the cornerback class has a lot of late risers. He can easily be forgotten, but if a team gives him a chance, he can develop into a successful corner in the future.
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