Andre Cisco NFL Draft Overview
Position: Safety
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 209 pounds
School: Syracuse
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Andre Cisco 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Andre Cisco is a junior out of Syracuse. Cisco played in two games of the 2020 season before suffering a season-ending injury during pre-game warmups. It was a freak accident that occurred when he ran into one of his own players. Before his injury, Cisco was on track to shatter the Syracuse interception record. During his three seasons at Syracuse, Cisco notched 13 interceptions, 14 pass deflections, one defensive touchdown and one forced fumble.
Cisco is a player that is one good secondary coach away from developing into one of the better safeties in the league. He was phenomenal his freshman year and followed that up with an extremely solid sophomore campaign. It looked like business as usual before suffering that lower body injury that ended his 2020 season. Cisco has ideal size for the position, and plays at his best when he has his eyes on the quarterback. He processes information instantly, thus allowing him to play fast and fluid in space. Cisco is not easily fooled by play-action either, making him a good matchup against teams like the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers.
Strengths
- Prototypical size for the position;
- Processes information quickly;
- Rarely fooled by play-action;
- Plays well in space;
- Attacks players with tremendous speed;
- Work ethic.
Weaknesses
- Struggles with his back to the quarterback;
- Tackling in space leaves a lot to be desired;
- Not the best in man coverage;
- Route recognition when not playing deep safety.
NFL Comparison: Eddie Jackson
Teams with need at the position: Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team
Projection: Second or third round
Bottom Line on Andre Cisco
Andre Cisco is someone you definitely want your team to draft if they are in need of a free safety or deep cover safety. Cisco is someone that rarely gets beat over the top, and has a nose for the football. His play recognition is lethal when he is allowed to play in space and keep his eyes on the quarterback. He has an instinct for reading quarterbacks that is extremely difficult to teach. Some guys are just born with it, and Cisco happens to be one of them. He also has this hunger to be great that is matched by his intensity and work ethic. Cisco is never a player that teams will have to worry about working out and staying in shape during the off-season.
Injuries and the devalued nature of the safety position have pushed Andre Cisco down most draft boards. He only played in two games last season due to a freak injury, so it is understandable, but there are players that did not play this year at all who the media have anointed as being a better prospect. Cisco comes in early and leaves late. He is the type of worker you want around your locker room when you are trying to establish a new culture. With the right coaching and defensive scheme, Cisco has the tools to develop into the best safety in the NFL.
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