Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 192 pounds
School: Michigan State Spartans
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.50 seconds
Vertical jump: 37.5 inches
Broad jump: 11 feet, 2 inches (second-best among cornerbacks)
Three-cone drill: 6.90 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.09 seconds (fifth-best among cornerbacks)
Justin Layne 2019 NFL Draft Profile
Michigan State cornerback Justin Layne enters the NFL Draft as a cornerback even though he entered college as a wide receiver. After a productive high school career as a pass-catcher, Layne converted to a cornerback just five games into his collegiate tenure. Learning the position on the fly, Layne finished his true freshman season with 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, and one interception.
Layne improved as a sophomore given a full off-season to learn the cornerback position. Appearing in 12 games, the Ohio native recorded 40 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss, and one interception in 12 games played. Additionally, Layne recorded the first forced fumble of his career while breaking up eight passes
Layne ended his collegiate tenure on a high note, recording his best season to date as a junior. Appearing in 12 games, Layne recorded 72 total tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, one interception, and 15 passes defended. Each statistic either exceeded or tied his career-high, and his impressive play earned him Second-Team All-Big 10 honors. Layne ultimately decided to eschew his senior year to enter the NFL Draft and looks to take his talents to the next level in the upcoming season.
Strengths
- ideal height and length for the position;
- prior history as a receiver gives him advanced knowledge of opposing route trees;
- impressive ability to get hands on the ball and break up passes;
- strong hand technique, especially for a player relatively new to the position;
- quick to diagnose route patterns and concepts;
- aggressive in man coverage and isn’t afraid to be physical near the line of scrimmage.
Weaknesses
- struggles to defend quicker receivers;
- physical play style can come back to hurt him against bigger and stronger receivers;
- inconsistent in transition due to subpar footwork;
- needs more add more weight to become a true outside cornerback;
- inconsistent effort in the run game;
- lack of quick burst makes him a liability in deep zone coverage despite high football IQ.
NFL Comparison: Eric Rowe
Teams With A Need: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals
Projection: Third round
Bottom Line
He probably won’t ever develop into a full-time starter, but Justin Layne should be able to carve out a role as a depth cornerback. Layne has the ideal height and span for the position and his physical play should translate well assuming he can add on a few pounds of muscle. His history as a wide receiver gives him a strong grasp of what an opposing offense is trying to do and he’s good at getting his hands on the ball and breaking up passes.
Layne is far from being a finished product on the field, although he does have room to grow. The former wide receiver struggles to defend quickness and should only be used as a perimeter cornerback. Additionally, his lack of acceleration makes him a liability in deep zone coverage. Layne will have a role in the NFL as an outside cornerback going up against bigger receivers.
Main photo:
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