Buyer Beware ... Cornerbacks

[Mr. Laz]

CFF Overview: CB – Buyer Beware
Gordon McGuinness | April 17, 2015
CFF-overview-CB-beware

As we continue to look through the mass of CFF data we have collected, we’re turning our attention to cornerbacks. After bringing you the top of the crop and sleepers earlier in the week we now turn our attention to the Buyer Beware section.

The top of this cornerback class is filled with question marks and you can still find players 10-15 spots deep that aren’t too far away from the guys at the top. That means the guys at the top come with the added question mark of how much of a gamble you are taking by spending a high draft pick on them. So here are five players who we think teams should be wary of in the NFL draft.

Trae Waynes, Michigan St.

Waynes is regarded by many as the top cornerback in this class and at times it’s easy to see why. He has speed to burn and shows confidence, never looking worried about being beaten deep. He also holds the point well against a block and performs well against the run. Despite all that, though, there are some question marks that make him a risk to be selected as high as many are predicting.

His awareness at times is questionable, and there are times when he lost the ball in the air by focusing too much on the wide receiver in front of him. Those lapses leave him flapping after noticing the ball in the air, leading to contact which could lead to more flags in the NFL. His tackling can also be a bit suspect as he has a tendency to throw himself at tackles in space, a little bit like Asante Samuel, rather than wrapping up. That’s something that will cost him a few big plays when he misses, and something he must clean up in the NFL.

Signature stat: Missed a tackle once every 8.3 attempts.

Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest

CFF-inset-kevin-johnsonJohnson is also regarded as a first-round draft pick by many, but in a similar way to Justin Hardy at wide receiver he’s someone that neither myself nor Sam see the hype with. He does have great balance which stops him from being beaten immediately off the line where so much damage can be done, but there are too many question marks in the rest of his game.

He doesn’t possess great top-level speed on the field. This will lead to him losing plenty of one-on-one battles with NFL receivers and at times it looked like he was deliberately playing off to protect his speed. The need to jump up from there and attack under routes led to him being beaten on double moves on more than one occasion. Like Waynes, he too can be a bit of a sloppy tackler at times, tilting his head down and trying to tackle blind far too often which led to 10 misses last season.

Signature Stat: Missed a tackle once every 5.1 attempted, tied for the ninth-worst of all draft-eligible cornerbacks in this class.

P.J. Williams, Florida St.

CFF-inset-pj-williamsWilliams is arguably the most frustrating cornerback in this draft class and is the perfect example of how subset scouting can lead to a guy being overhyped. In his best games, he looked very good when getting his hands on a wide receiver early and attacked the run and screen passes aggressively, launching himself through blockers.

The problem with Williams is inconsistency. As good as he looked against Louisville and DeVante Parker, he played very poorly against Syracuse, North Carolina State, and Georgia Tech. Very good when he gets his hands on a receiver, but as soon as he loses direct contact he struggles, something that will be a big issue in the NFL. Like the previous two we mentioned, he missed too many tackles in 2014. It’s not something he doesn’t look capable of, but poor technique such as arm tackles and trying to swat at the ball when he’s in a bad position give him big problems.

Signature Stat: Williams allowed a quarterback rating of 100.0 on all passes thrown into his coverage.

Eric Rowe, Utah

CFF-inset-roweRowe is a cornerback who divides opinion, with some seeing him as a better prospect at safety than cornerback, while others think he’s a better fit at the position he played during his final season in college. One thing you can say for Rowe is he’s very strong. In the Washington State game he was too physical for the receivers he went up against and made life miserable for them. He’s physical enough that he makes contested catches tough on wide receivers, and works best in press-man when he’s able to get his hands on the wide receiver.

The problem with Rowe is he looks very uncomfortable in off-coverage at times, looking lost and struggling to get a feel for everything around him. He also struggles with recovery speed so when he loses at the line of scrimmage he’s in trouble. Any success he has in the NFL will come from being able to get a good jam on wide receivers at the line of scrimmage unless he can improve his work in off-coverage.

Signature Stat: Was targeted once every 6.6 snaps in coverage.



College Football Focus Home Page

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blo...-buyer-beware/

[DaneMcCloud]

Personally, I don't like any of the mocked first or second rounders. I'd rather see the Chiefs develop a Day 3 player than take one early.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Personally, I don't like any of the mocked first or second rounders. I'd rather see the Chiefs develop a Day 3 player than take one early.

It's going to happen. Look at Dorsey's first two years with us and his first rounders. Fisher for Albert and Ford for Hali. We're getting someone for Sean Smith in the first.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Bowser

It's going to happen. Look at Dorsey's first two years with us and his first rounders. Fisher for Albert and Ford for Hali. We're getting someone for Sean Smith in the first.

I have to disagree. I don't think that the available CB's meet Dorsey's criteria. Each of them have holes in their game and won't be ready to start immediately. None of them are over 6'1, let alone, 6'3 nor do they have the length he desires.

He can worry about a starting CB in 2016. I think there are far too many pressing needs than to take a guy that doesn't "fit" in the first. I also believe it'll be tough for him to pass up a game changing WR or ILBer, both of whom should be available at #18.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I have to disagree. I don't think that the available CB's meet Dorsey's criteria. Each of them have holes in their game and won't be ready to start immediately. None of them are over 6'1, let alone, 6'3 nor do they have the length he desires.

He can worry about a starting CB in 2016. I think there are far too many pressing needs than to take a guy that doesn't "fit" in the first. I also believe it'll be tough for him to pass up a game changing WR or ILBer, both of whom should be available at #18.

Trust me, I'm with you, but I have my fears. NOBODY saw us taking Dee Ford last year, and I'm thinking nobody is going to see us taking some corner this year.

Frankly I don't understand how they could pass on one of the many receivers bound to still be there at #18, or like you said a 'backer. We'll see.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Trust me, I'm with you, but I have my fears. NOBODY saw us taking Dee Ford last year, and I'm thinking nobody is going to see us taking some corner this year.

I wasn't around here this time last year but Ford was one of the guys I thought Dorsey might take and I was happy when he was chosen. Productive edge pass rushers are a hot commodity and with Ford sitting there at #23, it was a no brainer. It's unlikely there will be a guy at #18 with Ford's pedigree.

It'll be interesting to see what happens Thursday but it's difficult for me to envision Dorsey taking a player that won't be an immediate starter, whether it's right tackle, WR or ILB. I'd be dumbfounded if he took a guy that will sit on the bench for a year, waiting, when an immediate need can be filled well.

I'm still on the fence as to whether he'll take a WR in the first. I think it depends on how much he likes Wilson outside and if he does, he might wait until the second to take a slot receiver that will eventually, if not immediately, take time from Avant.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

It'll be interesting to see what happens Thursday but it's difficult for me to envision Dorsey taking a player that won't be an immediate starter, whether it's right tackle, WR or ILB. I'd be dumbfounded if he took a guy that will sit on the bench for a year, waiting, when an immediate need can be filled well.

Really?

Hell, I expect it. He did it last year and he's repeatedly stated he'll take the best talent he thinks is there regardless of position or need...

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Bowser

It's going to happen. Look at Dorsey's first two years with us and his first rounders. Fisher for Albert and Ford for Hali. We're getting someone for Sean Smith in the first.

We need someone to compliment him - not replace him. We have nothing opposite him...

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

not an impression at all

They have come out and said they only want certain people in their draft threads. Also why they don't want the draft in the main lounge during draft time either.

draft snobs only want to talk to other draft snobs



i don't care, ****'em

just don't be let me hear in Q bullshit about the ****ing draft forum.

Yearning for the return of the drafturbators?

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by SNR

Didn't see Marcus Peters on the list.

That's because I love him more than any player since Geno Smith.

I want him inside me












...team's locker room. Which is what I would say if I were an Irishman.

i'd like to make that a threesome...

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

not an impression at all

They have come out and said they only want certain people in their draft threads. Also why they don't want the draft in the main lounge during draft time either.

draft snobs only want to talk to other draft snobs



i don't care, ****'em

just don't be let me hear in Q bullshit about the ****ing draft forum.

i always thought you were posting from a middle school cafeteria...

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I have to disagree. I don't think that the available CB's meet Dorsey's criteria.

Actually, Eric Rowe hits every single mark that Dorsey looks for in a prospect.

I wouldn't be overly shocked if he's selected in the first and it's a no-brainer in the second.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

i'd like to make that a threesome...

Not concerned with his character?

It's hard to get kicked out of a major conference and program. It's nearly impossible to do it when you are a star player. He must have some serious issues to draw the ire of two different staffs.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Actually, Eric Rowe hits every single mark that Dorsey looks for in a prospect.

I wouldn't be overly shocked if he's selected in the first and it's a no-brainer in the second.

I'm fine with that...

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Not concerned with his character?

It's hard to get kicked out of a major conference and program. It's nearly impossible to do it when you are a star player. He must have some serious issues to draw the ire of two different staffs.

nope...this team can handle one or two knuckleheads, imo

if he's the Dez Bryant of CBs, that's fine by me

[Al Bundy]

Rowe is a Safety at the next level.