Martin Emerson NFL Draft Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6′-2″
Weight: 201 pounds
School: Mississippi State
Martin Emerson NFL Draft Profile
After spending three seasons at Mississippi State, cornerback Martin Emerson decided to skip his final year of eligibility and declare for the 2022 NFL Draft. Emerson is coming off another strong season in the secondary, allowing just 29 completions on 50 targets for 358 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Emerson originally joined the college ranks as a three-star recuit. Signing with Mississippi State, the Florida native spent most of his true freshman year coming off the bench in sub packages. However, he earned a full-time starting job in 2020 and immediately made a name for himself in the NFL Draft community. While on the field, Emerson allowed just 33 receptions on 59 targets for 306 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
Strengths
- Big, physical cornerback tailor-made for press coverage;
- Sound technique in press – engages receiver without drawing penalties;
- Allowed a 44% completion rate in press man, per PFF;
- Times his jumps well to break up passes;
- Smooth hips to track his receivers;
- Special teams potential as a gunner.
Weaknesses
- Not going to make game-changing plays – only one interception in college;
- Lack of deep speed will be an issue against faster receivers;
- Not a very aggressive cornerback – too risk-averse;
- Much better in man than in zone – a little scheme reliant;
- Below-average acceleration to quickly close open windows.
NFL Comparison: James Bradberry
Teams With Need at Position: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings
Projection: Round 3
Bottom Line on Martin Emerson
Martin Emerson is a scheme-specific player that has a chance to turn into a solid starter if he lands on the right team. The Mississippi State product was born to be a man coverage cornerback, as his 6′-2″, 201-pound frame allows him to be physical with receivers and follow their route without drawing penalties. He has the length to break up contested passes and the awareness to time his jumps right and force incompletions.
Emerson can thrive in the right environment, but he’s not the type of player that can succeed regardless of scheme. Emerson is slow for a cornerback and possesses below-average acceleration, which means that he is a bad fit for a zone-heavy team. Additionally, even in man, Emerson could be a liability against faster receivers. Emerson appears to be aware of his shortcomings, as he tries to stay in position as much as possible. This is something of a double-edged sword, as his conservative play style means that he’ll never go for an interception and risk giving up a big play.
Ultimately, Martin Emerson has the potential to thrive in the right scheme, but even in a best-case scenario, will probably never turn into anything more than a solid player. Still, in today’s pass-heavy NFL, there is plenty of value in a guy that can be physical against opposing wide receivers and track patterns in the short and intermediate part of the field. Emerson should hear his name called roughly around the third round and should see some snaps in nickel and dime packages as a rookie.
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