Chamarri Conner NFL Draft Overview
Position: Safety
Height: 6′-0″
Weight: 202 pounds
School: Virginia Tech
2023 NFL Draft: Chamarri Conner Scouting Report
Chamarri Conner started his college career in Blacksburg in 2018, appearing in 13 games for the Hokies. He made 13 tackles (eight solo, five assisted) during that 2018 season. In his second season in the Old Dominion State, Conner started all 13 games for the Hokies at the nickel position. He registered 68 tackles (45 solo, 23 assisted), including a career-high five and a half sacks. He also forced a fumble, had an interception, and defended against eight passes.
In the Covid-19 shortened season of 2020, Conner once again started all 11 of Virginia Tech’s games, this time at cornerback. He amassed 81 tackles (60 solo, 21assisted), while also forcing a fumble, intercepting two passes, and defending against four others. During the 2021 season, Conner moved back to nickel, and once again, he started all 13 games for the Hokies, and had a career-high 85 tackles (56 solo, 29 assisted), including two sacks, while also forcing two fumbles, intercepting a pass and defending against a career-best, five passes.
In his final season for the Hokies, in 2022, Conner started all 11 games, this time at safety. He made 66 tackles (37 solo, 29 assisted) while defending against two passes.
Strengths
- Versatile; can play a multitude of positions with proficiency;
- Is able to play tight ends effectively, especially in the slot;
- Constantly contests for passes, until he hears a whistle blow;
- Initiates contact with blockers, in space;
- Plays an effective zone defense.
Weaknesses
- Difficulty staying with speedy receivers;
- Does not have speed burst to close, effectively;
- Stop-and-go routes are an Achilles heel;
- Does not take the best route or angle to the ball carrier;
- Has difficulty making tackles in the open field.
NFL Comparison: Talanoa Hufanga
Teams With Need At Position: Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers
Projection: Rounds 6-7
Bottom Line on Chamarri Conner
One of Chamarri Conner’s biggest selling points is his versatility. Over his career at Virginia Tech, he played nickel, cornerback, and safety. He would be beneficial to a team that needs depth in the defensive back department.
What teams will like is the fact that he is able to cover a tight end especially in the slot and constantly contests for the ball until he hears a whistle blow. He is also an aggressive player who is the first to initiate contact with blockers in space and has the ability to play an effective zone defense. He also was a starter in four of his five seasons in Blacksburg and showed durability by never missing a start in those four years.
Some of the reasons why he will be a pick in the later rounds (either round six or seven), is he has difficulty staying with speedy receivers and also lacks speed burst ability to close on passes. He has difficulty, especially in stop-and-go routes and also does not take the most efficient or advantageous angle to the ball carrier when making a tackle. Making a tackle in the open field has also been an issue for Conner.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
