Although draft analysts tend to approach them this way when putting together their “big boards”, a prospect’s value is rarely the same to all 32 teams. That’s no more apparent than when looking at defensive backs, where scheme fit may be more important than at any other position group.
Because of that, it’s important not only to know where a corner back or safety is ranked in comparison to the other prospects, but it’s also what sort of player he is, and how he’ll fit on your favorite team’s defense.
One of the best ways to do that is by comparing this class of defensive backs to current NFL players. How does this class stack up?
CB Dee Milliner
Regarded as the best corner in this draft, Dee Milliner probably has the talent to succeed in most systems. However, there’s little doubt that with his physicality and athleticism that he’s probably best suited to play in a scheme where he’ll be allowed primarily to play in press coverage.
Milliner probably isn’t the same sort of talent overall, but his style of play is quite similar to Joe Haden. Both corners love getting physical with receivers at the line of scrimmage, and have the athleticism to recover if they initially get beat at the line. Even if Milliner never reaches Haden’s level, most NFL teams could stand to do much worse than Milliner at corner.
S Jonathan Cyprien
While this is quite a talented defensive back class, most of prospects have a clear scheme fit where they would most succeed. However, for Jonathan Cyprien, that may not be the case. As perhaps the most versatile safety in this class, Cyprien can play most anywhere on the field and would likely fit in any defensive system at either safety position.
Brian Dawkins may not be a current player anymore, but it’s tough to find a more apt comparison to Cyprien’s talents. Both players are at their best when they’re allowed to throw their bodies around as violent safeties, but both were also talented enough that they can also be successful when asked to focus primarily on playing in coverage as well.
CB Xavier Rhodes
Dee Milliner may be regarded as the top corner in this class, but there’s little question that Xavier Rhodes possesses more upside and potential versatility than Milliner or any other corner back in this draft. His primary strength is his ability to play well in a press man scheme, but he has the athletic ability to play inside as in the slot as well.
While he’s certainly not at this level yet, he clearly has the potential to become a player like Charles Woodson, who for so long was an elite player that was utilized all over the field. If Rhodes ends up somewhere with a defensive coach that can maximize his abilities, we could see Rhodes develop into the same sort of player.
S Matt Elam
More than any other safety in this class, Matt Elam has taken a bit of a beating from online draftniks thanks to his less than stellar coverage ability and reckless style of play. To an extent, the criticism is merited – Elam’s strengths definitely are definitely playing in the box, and that’s something many teams don’t really ask from either of their safeties anymore.
There are still several teams that do employ an enforcer type at strong safety, and for those teams Elam will likely represent a good value. Elam could be compared to safeties like Quintin Mikell and Donte Whitner. Both of these safeties are relatively poor in coverage but their ability to be disruptive in the box has allowed them both to have successful careers. Will Elam be the next in this line of safeties?
CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson
If you’re looking for a still raw cornerback with plenty to untapped potential, look no further than Blidi Wreh-Wilson. As someone who spent most of his life playing soccer, Wreh-Wilson has only spent five years playing football and still has a great deal of refining to do to his technique. However, he’s shown a natural ability to play the position and that talent could very well make him a first round pick.
The league is full of corners that entered the league as raw players and developed into some of the best defensive backs in the game. Derek Cox, who played at William and Mary, was one of those players and is now a top cornerback when he’s healthy. Will Wreh-Wilson develop into the same sort of talent?
S Eric Reid
While he’s not as versatile as a player like Jonathan Cyprien, Eric Reid is a great example of what teams look for in a modern safety. He’s enough of a physical presence that he’s not going to be a liability when asked to provide support against the run, and he’s also good enough in zone coverage that teams should feel comfortable having him drop back in coverage as well.
As a player who is strong in many areas but isn’t a guy you’d ask to play much man to man coverage, Reid could easily be compared to a safety like LaRon Landry. Landry has spent a good portion of his career attempting to improve his man coverage skills, and that’s something Reid will need to do as well.
CB Jamar Taylor
As NFL wide receivers continue to get bigger and faster, defensive coordinators will also hope to find bigger corners to counter that. Unfortunately for Jamar Taylor, at 5’10 he doesn’t quite have the size that many coaches would like to see. However, with good speed and strength, he’s got just about every other measurable desirable in cornerbacks.
Fortunately for Taylor, players like Jason McCourty have demonstrated that you don’t need elite height to be a good starting quarterback, provided you have other physical traits to balance that lack of height. McCourty has used his speed and strength to be successful at the next level, and it’s likely that Taylor will be able to do the same thing.
S DJ Swearinger
For teams looking for a violent hitter like Elam with a bit more ability in coverage, DJ Swearinger may be the player they look for. Like Elam, Swearinger’s highlight reels are full of crushing hits that can cause one to wonder whether or Swearinger is just aggressive, or if he’s reckless in the secondary.
In addition to that physicality, though, Swearinger can do much more than just hold his own in coverage. That skill set is quite reminiscent of the Lions’ Louis Delmas – a player that is known for his physical style but also isn’t a liability in the passing game. With Swearinger playing a good bit out of the slot in man coverage during his time at South Carolina, he might even end up being better in coverage than is Delmas after he gets a few years of NFL experience.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
