2023 NFL Draft: CB Rankings
1
Deonte Banks
School: Maryland
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 197 lbs
Strengths:
Banks is an outstanding athlete with the ability to mirror the fastest and quickest receivers. Straight line speed is great. His testing at the combine proved it, but it wasn’t needed. On tape, you can see the ability to run deep down the sideline. On the rare occasion that his opponent got behind him, he showed more than enough recovery speed to get back into position. Athletically, he is not a one trick pony. Banks has the agility and explosion to complete the profile. His hips are fluid as he transitions from his backpedal to run deep with his opponent. The ability to stop and start on a dime is also there. Banks can hover over his opponent on any kind of route. Length is good and he also has the aggressiveness to battle through contact to break up passes. Banks is also able to succeed in press coverage thanks to his willingness to play physically. In zone, Banks shows the explosiveness to get downhill to breakup a shallow pass or limit the yardage if the catch has already been made. His lateral mobility is an asset in deep zone.
Weaknesses:
Anticipation is not quite there yet for Banks. This is especially evident in off man, where he can be too hesitant and afford too much space to his opponent. His movements in these situations are reactionary, and not anticipatory, and can lead to some easy completions. These kinds of issues also show up as the ball is in the air. He can sometimes struggle to get his head turned around when the ball is in the air. As well, there are some instances of too much grabbing as the route progresses, which can lead to penalties. Banks is a solid tackler, but isn’t the greatest and disengaging from his blocks in order to make a play on the ball carrier. Some improvement in this area will be needed.
Summary:
Banks is a talented CB prospect with the speed, fluidity, size, and strength necessary to handle almost every opponent. His coverage is sticky, and he has the versatility to be used in various schemes. From a coverage standpoint, anticipation in off man is one of the biggest things he’ll need to improve on. As well, his ball skills down the field can improve. Banks has the size and ability to be an asset against the run, but he’ll have to figure out how to disengage from his blocks more consistently. He has a few kinks to iron out, but Banks is an elite talent at CB. Early contribution is definitely possible, and he should be able to grow with more experience.
| Grade: 87.4 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Christian Gonzalez
School: Oregon
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 197 lbs
Strengths:
Gonzalez is a good all around CB with the ability and potential to be a number 1 boundary CB. Aside from the odd occasion, he looks like a fluid athlete on tape. His backpedal is smooth and he is able to flip his hips to run alongside his opponent. Mirroring routes isn’t an issue for Gonzalez, and he can run deep with faster wideouts. Length is an asset, and his long arms make a difference when he goes in to breakup a pass. His ball skills and ability to turn his head towards the ball improved significantly this past year, and we got to see him make more plays as a result. Gonzalez is spatially aware in zone and does well to take away options as the play continues to develop. As a tackler, he likes to snag low near the ankles. In my exposures, this seems to be effective for him. He did well to not usually let the ball carrier slip out of his grasp.
Weaknesses:
Gonzalez has length, but might not have the necessary bulk at this point. He is on the leaner side, and can get outmuscled by bigger players. In coverage, it does cause a few issues when pressing up. Overall, he just seems to prefer a passive style. At times press coverage was avoided, as he would line up tight to the line, before backing off. Even with ways to mitigate the issue, he’ll need to add strength to matchup against the bigger, stronger WR’s in the NFL. As well, it will help him disengage from blocks more consistently when defending the run. Overall, Gonzalez is a good athlete, but on the odd play, he does show some signs of stiffness. It wasn’t often, but perhaps still worth mentioning.
Summary:
Gonzalez has the makings of a number 1 CB. Athleticism is a plus, even if not perfect. Gonzalez has great length to make plays on the ball, and it was especially fun to watch his most recent tape where he seems to know how to better use it to his advantage. He’ll need to get stronger, as he transitions to the next level, but doesn’t seem to have any weaknesses that are a major cause for concern.
| Grade: 87.0 | Round Grade: 1st |
3
Cam Smith
School: South Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 180 lbs
Strengths:
Smith has a good all around skill set that should make you confident that he can execute all or most of the things that could potentially be asked. While not elite, he is a good and fluid athlete, with the speed to cover deep, and the quickness to blanket underneath routes. Smith has an aggressive way of playing, and this has produced really positive glimpses of his capabilities in press coverage. At his best, he is disrupting routes and not allowing them to develop. In man coverage, he is very sticky, and can cover any kind of route. Smith also does well in zone. He has the burst and speed to close in quickly to either breakup the pass, or bring down the ball receiver on the spot. Smith has good ball skills and is someone who can create turnovers, using not only his athleticism, but also good anticipatory qualities. He reads the play well and has the ability to break on routes. As a result, he was avoided a lot in this season, compared to 2021 where he was targeted more. Going back to his aggressive play style, this makes him an interesting case study when analyzing his work against the run. Though it has its deficiencies, it also allows him to be in good position most of the time to potentially make a play on the ball carrier. His effort is high in this area. Smith doesn’t have a huge frame, but he is not small, and has good enough length. As he continues to add strength, his aggressive style should be further complemented.
Weaknesses:
Though his aggressive style of play puts him in good positions to help in run support, I’m really not a fan of his tackling technique. When it comes to actually bringing down the ball carrier, the aggressiveness almost turns into recklessness, as he throws himself towards the guy. His method of bringing down the ball carrier relies much more on contact than technique, and leave him prone to missed tackles, as opposed to if he would make more of an attempt to use his arms and wrap up. There isn’t too much to criticize about his play in coverage. One thing I did notice came when he was playing press. He likes to hit his opponent with a two hand jab. But what sometimes happens is he ends up flat footed, and the receiver can use leverage against him and gain an early step of separation. As well, there are instances where he is a bit over-aggressive and can be a bit grabby. He’ll want to ease up on that a bit to avoid the penalties. Smith doesn’t have a small frame, but it is on the lean side, and there are a few instances where he gets outmuscled. This will improve as he puts in more work. As he gets stronger, he should be better at getting off of blocks, and his jabs in press coverage will be more effective.
Summary:
Smith is a high quality prospect with a lot to like, and few things to dislike. His good athleticism, ball skills, and IQ give him the versatility to play effectively in man, press, or zone coverage. As well, though he is an outside CB, the skill set should translate to the slot. Though it is unlikely that it becomes his primary spot, being able to do more is always a good thing. Smith is someone who should be able to contribute early in his career on a defence, and has high quality starter upside.
| Grade: 86.4 | Round Grade: 1st |
4
Devon Witherspoon
School: Illinois
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 181 lbs
Strengths:
Witherspoon has proven over his college career that he can be an effective cover corner. He has mirroring ability. However, unlike with many players who have this ability, it isn’t really because of outstanding athleticism. It is actually his high football IQ that stands out a lot of the time. Witherspoon has the ability to recognize routes early in their development, which allows him to maintain his tight positioning throughout the process. He also has an intriguing sort of aggressiveness to his game. Witherspoon often gives receivers a tough time at the line and can severely disrupt the route. And the physicality doesn’t end there. He is also very physical at the catch point. His timing is good to breakup passes, and the physicality makes it tough for receivers to hold on to the ball, if he can’t get a hand in. Witherspoon does well to consistently turn his head around while the ball is still in the air, and demonstrates plus ball skills. He wins a lot of 50/50 battles. Witherspon is an enthusiastic participant in run support. Though he might not be a perfect tackler, Witherspoon is usually pretty reliable. He is a big hitter, and in addition to showing up in his run support, it was evident when he was sent in on blitzes.
Weaknesses:
I think he is a solid athlete, but I don’t see that upper tier athleticism that you increasingly see these days from top prospects. His ability to excel in other areas has helped him in coverage, up to this point. However, there will be some questions surrounding his ability to run deep with the fastest receivers at the next level. The feistiness adds a nice element to his game, but can also hurt him at times too. Witherspoon took more penalties than you’d like to see, and had other grabby moments go uncalled. But even when uncalled, the risk is still there for the next time. At this point, I don’t think his play in zone matches his ability in man. Athleticism is a large reason for this. In zone, he can’t rely on physicality as much. Even with his recognition ability, he can still be a bit slow getting to the ball because he doesn’t have that top tier athleticism. I love the effort he shows in run support, but taking the right angles on a more consistent basis is something he’ll need to work on.
Summary:
Witherspoon is someone who can be a good man/press corner at the next level. His football IQ is off the charts, and his aggressiveness and ball skills make for a nice combination at the top of routes, when kept under control. There are some mild athleticism concerns. Though I think the strengths of his game will still allow him to play on the outside, I wouldn’t be surprised if some view him as a slot guy. Witherspoon is an asset against the run, which coaches will appreciate. He will need to start taking better ab]angles to the ball carrier to find a bit more consistency, but that should come in time. Overall, I do wonder how high his ceiling is, and if he can overcome average athleticism to the point of becoming an elite player. Regardless, his floor seems to be pretty safe, especially with the outside/inside versatility.
| Grade: 85.5 | Round Grade: 1st |
5
Emmanuel Forbes
School: Mississippi State
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 166 lbs
Strengths:
Forbes is a high end cover corner who brings scheme versatility. He is a great athlete, showing the ability to mirror routes, even when up against the toughest customers. His frame is slight, yet he still manages to have success in press coverage. When his jabs land, they are very successful. Forbes has great instincts, showing the ability to anticipate where the ball is going. This makes him a natural fit for zone coverage, along with his athleticism. The instincts have also led to splashy plays in man coverage, where he was able to undercut the route. Forbes has a long reach, which helps when he looks to break up a pass. That reach, along with his speed, gives him tremendous recovery ability, in the relatively rare instances that he does get beat. I like that he makes an effort in run defence. When he is able to get in on the action, I thought his tackling was pretty solid.
Weaknesses:
Forbes has a very, very light frame. Many of his issues on the field stem from this main one. I do think he actually played bigger than his size at times, but when you make the jump to the NFL, it is a whole new thing. The big receivers at that level could give him a much tougher time. Forbes makes an effort in run defence, but he sometimes has trouble getting off of blocks. As a result, he has been a non-factor on some plays. Forbes reads the game well for the most part, but sometimes, overaggressiveness can cloud his judgement. He will bite unnecessarily on some route fakes, and end up out of position. As well, his hand jabs in zone sometimes miss, and it sets him back early in the play.
Summary:
Forbes has the athleticism, anticipation, and coverage skills to be a high end CB in the NFL. However, his frame will have teams second guessing the use of a 1st round pick on him. While he largely overcame the issue in college, it can be tougher to project at the NFL level. Toning down a tad bit on the aggressiveness may also be something he looks to do, in order to limit mistakes. Being a bit more cautious, is how I would put it. Ultimately, I think his cover talent is hard to overlook, even with the size issues. If he can continue to overcome them, he’ll be a high end #1 CB.
| Grade: 85.0 | Round Grade: 1st |
6
DJ Turner
School: Michigan
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 178 lbs
Strengths:
Turner is extremely athletic, and it shows on the football field, not just through his 4.27 40 yard dash at the combine. He might be the best in the class at mirroring in coverage. He has the speed to run deep with anyone, but I think his fluidity is what impresses me the most. He can flip his hips like it is nothing, and even quicker receivers must get frustrated when they can shake him. In zone coverage, you see his instincts and burst. Each on their own helps to make a play on the ball when it is in front of you. Turner having both of them gives him a nice advantage. Turner is willing to help in run support when the opportunity presents itself. He will put everything into a big hit, making sure the guy goes down.
Weaknesses:
Size and length are the two that stand out the most. Turner will have his work cut out for him when going up against bigger receivers. Can he prove that he won’t get pushed around at the line when going up against NFL talent? As well, jump balls are not stacked in his favour. He lacks both the height and arm length to really challenge for the ball, if his opponent has any one of those two traits. He isn’t afraid to help out against the run or lay down a big hit. But due to his smaller size, he is often forced to lower the shoulder and deliver a blow that way, as opposed to wrapping up. Ball skills are good overall, but there were some interceptions that he was not able to secure. Would be nice if he can clean that up.
Summary:
Turner is an elite athlete and a high end CB prospect. His ability to shadow anyone in coverage will allow him to be a good starter for a long time. But with all the good, his lack of size and length will hurt him at times, especially in contested situations. Those limitations may cause him to drop out of the 1st round, but make no mistake, he is a highly talented player with the potential to be a team’s #1.
| Grade: 84.4 | Round Grade: 2nd |
7
Kelee Ringo
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 207 lbs
Strengths:
You won’t find too many CB’s with the raw traits that Ringo has. He has a long frame but also has the bulk to absorb and distribute contact. With this in mind, his upside is tremendous. Ringo is pretty smooth when flipping his hips, and lateral agility is good. He also has the speed to match receivers deep. These on their own are great, but when adding in the size and length, he is someone who has the upside to shut down any kind of receiver. Ringo has flashed great ability in press coverage. His jabs are strong, and when he stays consistent with technique, he is able to stick right by his opponent. The tools also are evident in off man. The lateral fluidity is especially important, as it allows him to mirror routes, even when the receiver is given a free release. In zone coverage, Ringo shows good speed and good acceleration. He breaks quickly and can shut an open window just as fast as it opened. In some cases, it forces the QB to pull the ball down and look in another direction. If the ball is already loose, he can get a hand on it, or limit the gain if the catch is made. Ringo’s size means that he can absorb contact, and flashes have come in run support. As he continues to develop, he could be a big asset in this area.
Weaknesses:
Ringo shows plenty of upside, but there are still parts of his game that are in need of work if he is going to succeed at the next level. The mental aspect of his game, technique, and overall consistency all need to be improved. Ringo, at this point, isn’t quite there yet when it comes to route recognition and anticipation. He often over commits to covering the deep route, and ends up leaving a lot of separation on comeback routes. Play fakes and double moves also have him out of position at times. In order to limit big plays given up, this will need to be fixed. From a technique standpoint, he can be inconsistent with his jabs at the line. When done right, he is highly effective. But he sometimes fails to land them, or doesn’t even attempt to make contact. This gives his opponent the opportunity to create separation early in the route, which in this case, happened quite a bit. He’s got the length and strength to be highly effective in this area. It must be used to his advantage. At times, Ringo has a tendency to panic. This especially seems to be the case when he is in recovery mode. He goes all in on closing the gap, but then fails to turn his head to locate the ball. In some cases, he ran into the receiver, which led to a penalty. Overall, he has shown flashes of being able to get his head turned to make a play on the ball, but he will need to be more consistent with his timing. Ringo is willing in run support, but there are too many whiffs, especially for someone with his tools. He’ll need to clean that up.
Summary:
Ringo has pretty much every unteachable physical trait that coaches would want in a CB. The combination of size, length, and athleticism give him potential to be an elite player at the CB position. However, in order to reach his potential, Ringo will need to clean up his technique and further develop the mental side of his game. Based on the traits, he seems like a good bet to go in the 1st round. That said, I understand the people who have him graded outside day one as well. Ultimately, he is a boom/bust prospect. Landing with the right coaches could be key for him.
| Grade: 83.6 | Round Grade: 2nd |
8
Clark Phillips
School: Utah
Ht/Wt: 5’9”, 184 lbs
Strengths:
Phillips is an excellent athlete with the talent to thrive in multiple coverages. His burst and acceleration are both put on display consistently, while his fluidity helps him stick with receivers. The ability to stop and start on a dime has been a big asset for him when lining up against quicker slot receivers. Phillips likes to make plays on the ball, and his burst has allowed him to undercut routes on several occasions. He also has the speed to recover when beaten, and has been able to breakup more passes as a result. The skill set is there to blanket receivers in man coverage, but at the moment, seems at his best in zone. He does well when things are kept in front of him and he can close in on the ball to make a play. Effort is consistently high and he tries where he can to help out in run support.
Weaknesses:
Size is an issue that could potentially impact his draft stock and his usage/productivity at the next level. Though he has some scrappiness to him, Phillips can be overmatched when lined up against bigger receivers. Further, he was usually sheltered from this deficiency at Utah, and spent most of his time in off coverage. His lack of usage in press coverage does raise some doubts. There will be questions surrounding his ability to play on the outside, and some are suggesting he may be limited to the slot. His effort as a tackler is usually high, but the ability doesn’t match it. Missed tackles are an issue at times, as he just doesn’t have the size or strength to consistently bring down bigger ball carriers. It can be tough for him to keep them in his grasp. This is the case in run support and when making tackles after the catch. Instincts are a work in progress, and his game is still very reactionary, as opposed to anticipatory. Fakes and double moves will get him at times, and he’ll end up a step behind and in recovery mode. Keeping his eyes on the QB will sometimes cause him to be a bit looser in coverage than you would like to see.
Summary:
Phillips stands out with his speed, burst, and twitchiness. He has quick feet that give him the ability to blanket in man coverage. Ball hawking tendencies have shown up on tape, and his great acceleration has allowed him to make plays on the ball. These strengths also allow him to excel in zone coverage, where he can sit back a bit and explode onto the ball. Size concerns will linger, and his ability to handle bigger receivers and play on the outside will be questioned. There will be tackling issues that likely won’t be able to be improved on too much, but the athleticism does make it easier to overlook. What he can do to take his game to another level is improve the mental side. Anticipating things better would limit mistakes and potentially allow him to make a few more plays. Ultimately, despite the size limitations and his limited experience in press coverage, I would be willing to try him out on the outside, with the slot right there as a fallback option. The versatility is good to have.
| Grade: 82.1 | Round Grade: 2nd |
9
Joey Porter Jr.
School: Penn State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 193 lbs
Strengths:
When watching Porter, his outstanding size and length are the first things that catch the eye. He’ll have a size advantage over a lot of the receivers he’ll line up against in coverage. Along with the size, Porter brings a lot of physicality, which pairs nicely with it. He is very good in tight press coverage. His jab is strong and is able to disrupt his opponent’s route. From that point on, his speed is decent enough to run with his opponent and keep things pretty tight. The great length has allowed him to breakup passes that others probably wouldn’t have. Porter does well to reach in and meet the ball at its target. His timing is very good here. The extra length is also an asset for him when his opponent gains a step, as it gives him a better chance to recover in time. Porter is very physical at the catch point and makes securing catches tough on receivers. He is a good bet to win when a goalline fade is used against him. Porter’s strength and aggressiveness helps him a lot in run support. Willingness is never an issue, and he is generally a sure tackler. He usually is able to wrap up the ball carrier, when in the vicinity, and it is tough for them to shake loose once in his grasp.
Weaknesses:
I suppose you could say that Porter is a good athlete for his size, but in a general sense, there are some deficiencies. As you see with a lot of the longer CB’s, he can be a bit stiff, and at times, has trouble getting out of his backpedal. Lateral movements in general have revealed some limitations. When used in off-man or even zone, quicker and speedier receivers have the ability to tangle him up a bit and gain a step. His speed is solid, but again, speedier receivers are capable of running by him. For these reasons, Porter will likely be limited to a scheme that uses a lot of tight press, which would allow him to rely more on his size and physicality, rather than athleticism. The physicality is good in many instances, but he needs to do a better job of controlling it. Porter can sometimes end up being way too grabby and there will be too much contact as the route progresses. This left him prone to penalties. I would also like to see him be more consistent at turning his head towards the ball when targeted down the field. Not turning your head makes it difficult to breakup or intercept the pass, as you are unable to locate it until the last second. As well, you are more susceptible to being called for a flag, if there is too much contact. Turning your head allows you to make a play on the ball, and in this instance, provides more leeway for contact.
Summary:
Porter may be a polarizing prospect if you ask enough people. The size, length, strength, and physicality will attract some, while the athletic limitations will turn off others. Due to the limitations, Porter doesn’t seem to offer much scheme versatility. His best chance at success is playing in one that uses a lot of press coverage, which would allow him to play to his strengths. Off man and even zone give him less opportunity to use his size, and give receivers more room to exploit his weaknesses. If used the right way, I do think he will be a good starter in this league as a boundary CB. But should it not work out at CB, I think a move to safety is definitely something he is capable of as well, as his skill set should translate over. Ultimately, his success might depend on his landing spot.
| Grade: 79.8 | Round Grade: 3rd |
10
Darius Rush
School: South Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 198 lbs
Strengths:
Rush is a high IQ player on the football field. He is relatively new at the CB position, but his ability to recognize routes is at a high level. His background as a WR surely plays a role in this. He doesn’t look like a perfect athlete on tape, but he does a pretty good job of mirroring routes, and in some cases, looks more like he is the one running the route. This was also the case at the Senior Bowl. He has a big frame and good length. Rush plays an aggressive style, and is able to disrupt routes at the line. His length helps him to make up ground late in the play, and gives him a shot at making a play on the ball. His ball skills are good, and you can see the WR in him when he gets opportunities to make a play. Rush is a solid tackler and is able to lend a hand in run support.
Weaknesses:
Despite testing well, athleticism is still a bit of a concern. He is a pretty fluid player, but seems to have one gear. When speedy receivers shift into that next one to go deep down the field, will he be able to match it at the next level? Rush shows a lot of good recognition skills, but that doesn’t mean he is perfect either. He can be prone to bite on route fakes, and let his opponent get by him. Technically speaking, his backpedal can be a little clunky at times, and he can be a bit slow transitioning out of it. Work on this can help him maintain tight coverage throughout the rep.
Summary:
Rush is a solid prospect who has shown some good anticipatory ability, despite being relatively new to the CB position. Though he isn’t immune to some mental mistakes, you have to feel that more forward progress is likely. At his best, he is able to blanket routes quite nicely, almost looking like he is the WR on the play. Rush comes with good size and length, and isn’t afraid of contact. Despite good testing, athleticism may come into question, as he transitions to the next level. His backpedal can be a bit clunky, and improvement to his technique will be necessary. Overall, Rush profiles as a solid but unspectacular player at the next level. He has the size, length, and IQ to do well at the position. Though he doesn’t look like an elite athlete, enough is there for him to carve out a starting role in time.
| Grade: 78.2 | Round Grade: 3rd |
11
Cory Trice
School: Purdue
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 206 lbs
Strengths:
Trice is a really intriguing player, looking at all of the tools he possesses. Starting with his size and length, Trice is someone who can be very disruptive. His frame and length make him an ideal player to put in press coverage. He has the size to match up against stronger receivers. When I saw his size measurements, I was expecting fluidity to be an issue. While he ain’t your small, speedy slot CB, he has the quickness and fluidity to blanket routes into the intermediate level, and sometimes beyond. In zone, he has shown the ability to branch away from his spot to make a play on the ball. In general, his size and length give him the ability to make plays on the ball. That long reach gives him an extra split second to extend out and breakup the pass. It also is beneficial when he joins in to defend against the run.
Weaknesses:
I think there are more ways in which Trice could play to his size. I think he lacks that nastiness that you often see from bigger CB’s. Trice comes down to help against the run, but I wouldn’t say he plays with much aggressiveness or urgency. Enthusiasm to get to those dirty areas could be better. Athletically, I think his quickness is good enough. His 40 time at the combine (4.47 seconds) was also good. But while the time is respectable, I wonder about his ability to run the deepest routes with the speediest receivers. Can he keep up? Instincts in general could use some work, especially in zone coverage. You see some flashes, but consistency will need to be improved. His instincts and skills as the ball let go can be off and on. He does show some anticipatory plays, but I would like to see Trice time his jumps better
Summary:
Overall, Trice has a nice blend of size, length, and movement skills that give him that chance to be a starting CB on the perimeter relatively early in his career. He has enough fluidity to blanket in man coverage at the short and intermediate level. Long speed when going up against the pure burners like Tyreek Hill may be a question mark, as he heads to the NFL. But his length does give him an extra bit of time to recover. Trice has ability as a tackler, but I would like to see a bit more aggressiveness when coming downhill in these situations. The biggest thing will likely be his recognition skills during the play. Given that he can sometimes be late to react, he will have a hard time earning a starting spot as a rookie. But if he can make improvements to his mental game, and refine his technique, Trice can be a starting boundary CB by year 2 or 3.
| Grade: 75.6 | Round Grade: 3rd |
12
Tyrique Stevenson
School: Miami
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 198 lbs
Strengths:
Stevenson is a fast player who also has good length and a sturdy frame. When pressed up against the line, Stevenson usually does well, showing the ability to blanket coverage at a decently high level. He plays a physical brand of football, and he can be very disruptive, especially when near the line of scrimmage. Stevenson, for the most part, seems to move pretty well. No, I wouldn’t say he is the quickest player out there, but he is capable of turning with the receiver, and not giving any separation. Stevenson plays with very good burst, allowing him to come downhill when in zone, or potentially receiver when beaten. He is a hard hitter, and on several occasions, made sure that his guy went down.
Weaknesses:
Stevenson seems much better up against the line, as opposed to playing off man coverage. In off coverage, it almost looks like he freezes, and can’t make a decision about what to do. He’ll let his guy get behind him and, on some of these instances, the play went for a big gain. He also had some mistakes when playing zone coverage. In some cases, he looked a tad stiff when getting his hips flipped. I didn’t notice it as being a big deal, but it was subtly there in some cases. Speedier receivers might be able to take advantage.
Summary:
Stevenson has some upside, as he has good speed and explosion, and plays a feisty style that can make life difficult for offensive players. All that said, he will need to cut out the bad mistakes, especially when not in man coverage. Moving forward, it will be about finding consistency, doing the right things, and eliminating dumb mental errors. He needs a little work, but I like the potential here.
| Grade: 75.1 | Round Grade: 3rd |
13
Julius Brents
School: Kansas State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 198 lbs
Strengths:
Brents has a big frame and good length. He is a very scrappy player, not giving any opponents even a play off. Brents battles right from the start, and his strength makes him effective in press coverage, so long as his technique is good. He reads the play well, especially from zone, and he is able to get an early jump on the direction that the ball is heading in. When in man coverage, he is not shy to abandon his assignment when he notices the QB about to throw it in a different direction. This allows him to swoop in and sometimes break up the pass or snag an interception. His length makes him a good fit to defend in contested situations, and he is physical enough at the catch point to not let the receiver secure the catch. Brents works hard as a run defender, and he is effective at it. He tackles well and can get some force into it.
Weaknesses:
Brents’ physicality can catch up to him. He was often penalized for pass interference, leading to chunk gains for the offence. Athletically, he is a bit limited. I don’t think Brents has the long speed to match speedy receivers deep, and his combine did nothing to change that for me. Further, he can be stiff when transitioning, and the receiver has more separation opportunities.
Summary:
Brents has size, length, and physicality that coaches love. However, he has to do a better job of being more self aware and not getting in his own way by being too physical at the wrong time. His lackluster athletic traits will probably limit his man coverage usage at the next level, but he has the instincts and toughness to be effective in zone. As well, teams will like his play against the run. Overall upside might be limited, and he is definitely scheme dependent. That said, in the right one, he has the chance to be a solid player.
| Grade: 73.8 | Round Grade: 4th |
14
Garrett Williams
School: Syracuse
Ht/Wt: 5’10”, 192 lbs
Strengths:
Williams is a dynamic athlete who has sky high potential. His downhill burst is unbelievable, and he can close down in a hurry. He has quick feet that can allow him to stick with any opposition, and while his long speed may not be elite, it looks good enough to keep coverage tight on deep routes. Williams plays really aggressively, and this has led to some flashy plays, both in coverage and downhill. In zone, you see him close in quickly, shutting down any attempt at yards after the catch, unless the tackle is missed. He is a hard hitter, and not afraid to lay the body on the line. Williams is very willing to help out in run support.
Weaknesses:
Williams is coming off a torn ACL, so the medicals will have to be checked out. His aggressive playing style can be a double edged sword at times. It leads to big, splashy plays. But when he is too out of control, missed tackles and bad false steps in coverage also show up. Williams can sometimes get caught watching the QB, and next thing you know, the receiver has gotten behind. There is a lot of mental and technical stuff that still needs to be worked out.
Summary:
Williams has high end athleticism that gives him high end upside as a player. That said, the ACL tear makes things a little more complicated. As well, Williams still has a lot of stuff to work out with his mental game and technique. He needs some development, but if he can put it all together, Williams can be an elite CB on the boundary. At the very least, he should be able to contribute early on special teams, assuming he is healthy.
| Grade: 72.7 | Round Grade: 4th |
15
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson
School: TCU
Ht/Wt: 5’8”, 178 lbs
Strengths:
Hodges-Tomlinson possesses high end speed and quickness, with the ability to blanket most receivers in coverage. Not only can he run deep, but his backpedal is generally smooth and he doesn’t lose momentum when flipping his hips to run with the receiver. In zone coverage, his burst comes in handy, though these reps were a lot fewer than the ones in man, just because of how TCU’s defence is. He is undersized, but generally is a good tackler. He wraps up, and his good technique helps make up for lack of size. THT has good ball skills, and his aggressive play style leads to some flashy plays.
Weaknesses:
Size is the main one for Hodges-Tomlinson. It is hard not to worry about potential matchups against bigger receivers, whether on the boundary or in the slot. His aggressiveness can only make up a certain amount. He generally is a solid tackler, but there are instances of some misses. With his size, he is not immune to missed tackles, even when technique is alright. Given his limitations, improving his recognition skills would be good. As well, he’ll need to cut down on the penalties and control his aggression.
Summary:
Hodges-Tomlinson is a highly athletic player, with blanketing talent in coverage, but his lack of ideal size makes things complicated. Battling against big receivers can be a challenge, as is taking on contact when defending the run. He generally tackles well, but he will have to show that he can get off blocks more often. If a team is okay with some bad that comes with his size, he has enough other traits to start, most likely in the slot.
| Grade: 69.9 | Round Grade: 5th |
16
Jakorian Bennett
School: Maryland
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 188 lbs
Strengths:
Bennett brings a lot of versatility to the table. He can play on the boundary, in the slot, or even at safety, and be effective in each area. In Bennett, you’re getting someone with a tough mentality. He contests the ball well at the catch point, which has led to quite a few breakups. You get scrappiness when you play him in press. His physicality is able to disrupt the route of the receiver. As well, he is good coming downhill to help in the run game. Bennett is solid at getting off of his blocks and is a good tackler. Anticipation is pretty good, and it allows him to close gaps when in off man or in zone. Straight line speed looks fine on tape, and his testing at the combine was outstanding.
Weaknesses:
Despite the great combine performance, some athletic limitations do show up on tape. Bennett can be a bit stiff when moving laterally or when changing directions. The point where he has to flip his hips to run with the receiver is often where some separation can be created. As well, on passes down the field, he rarely is able to get his head turned, making him a lot more hit or miss in these situations than you’d like. He gets his hands up, which does work sometimes. But on other occasions, he can revert to grabbing, which leads to more penalties.
Summary:
Bennett comes with his share of highs and lows, but possesses a skillset that can allow him to be used in multiple spots on defence. The hip stiffness will cause some limitations in coverage. However, more press/off man or zone coverage can help mask that a little bit. I do think he has some starting potential, but if he doesn’t end up finding a starting spot, his ability to play safety and in the slot makes him an attractive depth option. Special teams should be an area of contribution as well.
| Grade: 69.8 | Round Grade: 5th |
17
Terell Smith
School: Minnesota
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 204 lbs
Strengths:
Smith has traits that can translate to the NFL. He is a pretty good athlete, judging by the tape, but his combine was also pretty good. Smith can run with speedy receivers down the field. Played a lot of off man coverage and was solid. For a guy with some speed, he also has good size, which you don’t see everyday. Smith was sent in on blitzes a decent bit in my exposures. He looks for things to do when the ball is handed off, and he doesn’t shy away from the run game. His frame has enough bulk to be effective. He is also strong enough to have some success in press coverage.
Weaknesses:
Overall, Smith is a good athlete, but there is some slight stiffness visible when he is turning to run with his opponent. He can give up a bit of separation when lined up on the line of scrimmage. Smith played a lot of off man which, to an extent, shielded him. His instincts aren’t perfectly developed at this point, despite being an overaged prospect. Smith will also need to clean up his technique.
Summary:
It took some time for Smith to really get his college career going. Things picked up a little bit two years ago, before really taking off for him this year. The general theory is that older prospects have less upside. However, given his improvements over the last couple seasons, he may end up in the exceptions bin. Smith has enough tools to be a good player, but will need to continue to develop, while also improving the mental side.
| Grade: 68.2 | Round Grade: 5th |
18
Riley Moss
School: Iowa
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 192 lbs
Strengths:
Moss is a solid CB with a chance to contribute on the boundary. He has decent enough speed to hang around with most of the competition, and he is a smart player, making sure to stay in good position as often as possible. Moss is a competitor on the football field, giving it 110% on every play. His ball skills have been on full display over the course of his career, and his stats,as well as the tape, show it. Moss can play a variety of positions on defence, and also contribute on special teams.
Weaknesses:
I wonder about his lateral mobility at the next level. At times, on tape, it looks sufficient enough, but others, maybe a little below where you would want it. On that note, his effectiveness in man coverage at the next level is something that will be questioned. Moss’ length is very underwhelming, and he doesn’t have that extra mechanism for recovery when beaten. Some players are able to reach out just enough to break up the pass, but Moss will be forced to get back into position quicker. Unfortunately, he might not be quick enough to do so a lot of the time. His frame looks a bit small on tape, and I wouldn’t say he is a punishing hitter. Missed tackles also showed up in my exposures.
Summary:
Moss has talent for the CB position, and a high football IQ. But I feel like he might just be lacking the twitch to become an effective starter on the boundary. Maybe you try to move him around to find the best spot, but he might just end up being a quality depth player that can contribute on special teams.
| Grade: 65.5 | Round Grade: 5th |
19
Eli Ricks
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 188 lbs
Strengths:
Ricks is a big CB with the length and strength to match up against bigger boundary receivers. I like what he can do in press coverage, delivering a good jab to disrupt the route. He can match routes run by the jump ball specialists, and he has the size to go up and contest those passes. Ricks is actually pretty solid in the shorter parts of the field, largely due to his ability to use contact to his advantage. He hasn’t exactly seen a tone of playing time over the years, but has been able to create a good number of turnovers.
Weaknesses:
Ricks is a below average athlete, which can make him a liability in the wrong matchup. His ability to win early with contact helps in the short-intermediate range, but as the route gets longer, speedy receivers with more time to draw off are often able to do so. Even on quicker routes, like a slant, for example, receivers can separate pretty quickly if his hand jabs are unsuccessful. Routes fakes also suck him in from time to time, and he will have to control his aggressiveness at the next level. Ricks can get sloppy at times in his footwork, which doesn’t help his efforts to blanket in coverage. Given his size, I would like to see more from him in run support.
Summary:
Ricks projects as a depth CB at the next level. He can have some success going up against bigger receivers, as he has the length to match their efforts in contested situations, and the strength to disrupt routes at the line in press coverage. His sub-par athleticism limits his upside, as quicker, speedier receivers are able to exploit this weakness. Still, he offers enough to be a decent enough option off the bench, and could even see snaps in certain packages, based on his team’s opponent.
| Grade: 64.4 | Round Grade: 6th |
20
Mekhi Blackmon
School: USC
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 178 lbs
Strengths:
Blackmon has some solid reps in man coverage. There are a lot of instances of him anticipating routes, and being able to break a bit faster. He plays with a constant physicality, and loves trying to disrupt the receiver’s route. Blackmon has good ball skills. And that is not just in relation to being able to snag an interception or break up a pass, but also his ability to get his head turned around at the right time, which can help limit the risk of a pass interference penalty. Overall, Blackmon is a solid tackler and is willing to help in run support.
Weaknesses:
For a guy who likes to dish out contact, he has the kind of frame where his opponent would be able to give it right back, and maybe that one. He is definitely a bit on the leaner side, which will come with a few limitations. His aggressiveness is good at times, but sometimes it is too much. Specifically, when it is leading to penalties. His constant contact on some plays down the field will get called a lot more at the NFL level. Athletically, his hips look a bit stiff, and it can hurt him when he turns to run with the receiver. Additionally, he is not someone who stops and starts on a dime. Comeback routes had some success with him in coverage on the other side, as he could stop and get turned around in time to break up the pass.
Summary:
Blackmon is a solid player in man coverage, demonstrating an understanding of route concepts and showing good ball skills. However, his frame is on the lean side, and it can lead to him getting pushed around a bit. As well, his aggressiveness can sometimes hurt more than it helps. Not only if he whiffs on his jabs, but especially when it continues down the field and it turns into repeated pass interference calls. I’m not sure if he has enough to be a starter, but if he can work on his issues, he can be a solid backup off the bench.
| Grade: 61.3 | Round Grade: 6th |
21
Jartavius Martin
School: Illinois
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 194 lbs
Strengths:
Martin is a slot CB with the ability to also play S. He has decent speed for the position, and also a big enough frame to potentially handle bigger players down the line. Martin shows flashes of a smart player. In these instances, he reads the field well post-snap to put himself in position to break up passes. His ball skills are good, both in terms of getting his hand on the ball, and also getting his head turned in time when further down the field. He loves to get downhill to make plays on the ball carrier. The hits he delivers are often quite big, and as a tackler, he is generally reliable.
Weaknesses:
Martin has decent speed but is lacking the quickness to fully complement the CB position. Quicker slot receivers can have him turning every which way, and he won’t be able to stick. While his speed is solid, it can still be a problem when battling an even faster and quicker opponent. Based on his skillset, he won’t be immune to some bad losses deep down the field. Martin has a pretty dense frame, but doesn’t always play with good strength, and sometimes gets outmuscled by opponents. For teams looking to move him to S, you have to wonder about him constantly covering TE’s
Summary:
Martin has versatility to play in the slot or at S. He has decent straight line speed and a big frame that could probably contribute in coverage against TE’s, if he can get stronger and play with more power. I don’t see a ton of success for him as a finesse guy in the slot, going up against quicker players, as he is stiff athletically, and likely won’t be able to mirror their route. Ultimately, Martin projects as a backup, but his ability to play two positions, and special teams should help his efforts to make a roster.
| Grade: 59.6 | Round Grade: 7th |
Full Rankings:
- Deonte Banks (87.4, Rd 1)
- Christian Gonzalez (87.0, Rd 1)
- Cam Smith (86.4, Rd 1)
- Devon Witherspoon (85.5, Rd 1)
- Emmanuel Forbes (85.0, Rd 1)
- DJ Turner (84.4, Rd 2)
- Kelee Ringo (83.6, Rd 2)
- Clark Phillips (82.1, Rd 2)
- Joey Porter Jr. (79.8, Rd 3)
- Darius Rush (78.2, Rd 3)
- Cory Trice (75.6, Rd 3)
- Tyrique Stevenson (75.1, Rd 3)
- Julius Brents (73.8, Rd 4)
- Garrett Williams (72.7, Rd 4)
- Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (69.9, Rd 5)
- Jakorian Bennett (69.8, Rd 5)
- Terell Smith (68.2, Rd 5)
- Riley Moss (65.5, Rd 5)
- Eli Ricks (64.4, Rd 6)
- Mekhi Blackmon (61.3, Rd 6)
- Jartavius Martin (59.6, Rd 7)
Notables Not Graded:
- Joey Ward
- Mekhi Garner
- Sevyn Banks
- Kahlef Hailassie
- Rejzohn Wright
- Cameron Brown
