NFL Draft Cornerback Rating in Man and Zone Coverage

The Den
1

I am not sure how relevant these ratings are, but thoughts id share them. I plan on looking at the corners pretty heavily going forward. I will be watching actual games, but i always look at highlights first to see if im interested. Looking for ball skills, instincts and explosive traits on highlights. Someone (@Thats2) tell me about Quincy Riley. Watched his highlights and he is impressive. Scores well on this chart as well. So far I am a big fan of Barron, Amos, and Morrison.

Here is the chart.

https://x.com/fball_insights/status/1896365058332209268?t=EPA5wgKmaWLAFfbnr-x7Fw&s=19

2

The first thing we need to do is filter these by their tackling. We know that if they canā€™t tackle, Brad wonā€™t touch them. We may not like it, but it is what it is. Maybe we think they can improve, but thus far our FO hasnā€™t shown that theyā€™ll be that patient, especially with early picks.

To me that eliminates Morrison, Porter, Parrish and maybe Amos, Thomas, Will Johnson, Dotson, Riley, and Jason Marshall. @Davicus any update on PFF run-defense grades on these guys? Thatā€™s been a telling factor for us as well, at least early.

From an evaluation standpoint, I think Barron is a safety/slot. I know he blazed his 40 (maybe the most shocking result of the weekend for me), and I know his numbers here in man are good, but on tape guys get open against him, they just do. Especially at the top of routes. The opposing offense was just rarely able to take advantage. Now sometimes I think heā€™s baiting, but not all the time. Heā€™s also got under 30 inch arms, another reason I think heā€™s a slot/zone guy. Now we might want a slot, so I wouldnā€™t rule him out, but heā€™s not an outside corner to me.

I like Hairston but I think heā€™s kind of a clone of Rakestraw: hyper-competitive and slight. Unlike Ennis I think heā€™s better in zone right now, and given the way weā€™ve played under Dan/AG that makes him less of a fit. But weā€™ll like his demeanor for sure.

I really, really like Revel, but man heā€™s old. Turns 24 in April. I donā€™t mind as much if we can get him day 2, but Iā€™m pretty sure heā€™s going before pick 60.

To me the best fits of attitude, run defense + man skillsets on this list are Strong, Bryant, Williams, Longerbeam, Hill, Adams and maybe Alexander. I really want to say Thomas as well, but as @Davicus pointed out yesterday, he falls just below the run defense threshold (and it shows on his tape). More than others I think he can improve, but will we give him the chance? I donā€™t know, but I wouldnā€™t bet on it.

3

No opinion on Riley?

One thing I will say or ask. Do PFF run grades include willingness to tackle, or if you miss a tackle they just dock your grade hard? Seems like they put a heavy weight on missed tackles and that can really hurt someones score and not really tell if theyā€™re willing or not. I just remember looking at Lions grades and guys are physical and will tackle but they miss a tackle or two and they get a below average run defense grade.

Do you (@Thats2) think Gentry Williams gets drafted?

4

Williams should get drafted once he tests, the guyā€™s a freak. I really surprised at the lack of any momentum for him at all, type of guy the draft process is usually kind to. Itā€™s almost like he went back to school. Did he go back to school? I bet he did.

Regardless of their methodology, so far itā€™s been a hard and fast rule: below a certain number, Brad hasnā€™t spent a day 1 or 2 pick on them. I donā€™t remember what the number is but you can see it over on @Davicusā€™s KCS thread I believe.

I like a lot about Riley in coverage, but his tackling is pretty questionable so I donā€™t want to fall in love with him lol. If he doesnā€™t hit out threshold he wonā€™t be a Lion. Thatā€™s just the way it is. So when I see questionable tackling now I generally move on. A way to save time with all of these guys to watch. Iā€™ll come back around if I get an indication I just watched the wrong games, etcā€¦

Justin Walley is the guy to look at to me in that same sort of vein/range.

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5

When I went through the CBs that I thought would hold up in press man and were willing to tackle in run support I came up with a small list. I did not include Johnson because I did not think he would be available for us. Az Thomas, Amos, Alexander and BJ Adams. If Revel is healthy I would add him. If not I donā€™t want to have to redshirt a player that is that old. Not a good year for us to be looking for an outside CB.

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Think you can say that about any position outside of DL in my opinion. But i am picky and will find a fault with most anyone

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Longerbeam didnā€™t get many chances to play man at Rutgers but I thought he held up really well at the Shrine Bowl. And the first line of Lanceā€™s scouting report under strengths: ā€œconsidered a ā€˜cultureā€™ player and leader by Rutgers coaching staffā€ screams us. Thatā€™s the sort of tidbit you canā€™t get from the tape.

I think Strong has good timing when pressing but ironically itā€™s his lack of strength that gives him issues. Beef him up a little though and he could be a really good fit.

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I really like the LB class

9

I have neglected cb and lb to this point. But i am starting to look. I do like this Teddye Buchanan you guys mention. Reminds me a bit of Ivan Pace Jr. Great instincts but not the biggest. Great blitzer and closing speed.

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I wouldnā€™t call 6ā€™2 233 with 31+ inch arms ā€œnot the biggestā€ necessarily, but heā€™s not one of the traditional big LBs like Campbell. But heā€™s plenty big enough for a WILL.

I also really like: Cody Simon, Nick Martin, Demetrius Knight, Cody Schwesinger, Pooh Paul, Kobe King, Jeff Bassa, Jackson Woodard, Nick Martin, Cody Lindenburg, Karene Reid, I have all of them ranked above their consensus (though Schwesinger is catching up, saw him mocked in the 1st earlier). There are other good ones too I just donā€™t think theyā€™re not as big of values.

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Didnt think he was that big. That is plenty. So a plus.

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12

I didnā€™t include him because I didnā€™t think he would hold up outside. He is only 175 lbs.

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Definitely possible. I think heā€™s a guy like Rakestraw who could end up at either spot, but certainly it would be better if he added weight outside. But if Bryant can go from 160ish to 180 by the combine maybe Longerbeam can get into the 190 range? He probably dropped a little to run that 4.39 at the combine, though I know he was roughly the same weight at the Shrine.

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That chart says that my favorite corners should beā€¦checks chartā€¦Will Johnson and Benjamin Morrison.

And my favorite CBs this year areā€¦checks notesā€¦Will Johnson and Benjamin Morrison.

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15

I really doubt that a 175 lb CB would drop weight before his official weigh in at the combine. I would guess he did everything he could to get up to that 175.

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A lot of them do to test, get good numbers, then gain weight for their pro day where they only do the drills. Itā€™s the Manny Forbes plan and got him into the 1st (ABOVE Christian Gonzalez, mind-blowingly).

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I remember arguing with so many in here that wanted Forbes. Wasnā€™ t he released and now out of the league?

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He was cut and the Rams nabbed him, I donā€™t know where he is now. Yeah, bad pick. Especially above Gonzalez.

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19

No necessarily a bad thing if he can come in immediately and contribute on his rookie contract

20

Right but heā€™s coming off the torn ACL too. So old and possibly not able to hit the ground running. Itā€™s too bad, heā€™s got top ten traits, but everythingā€™s working against him. Should have come out last year and tested his way up the board.