Today, sadly, is the last day of the N.F.L. combine and it will be the defensive backs. Expect a lot of fast times and shuffling of stocks.
Here are some players to watch.
Montana cornerback Trumaine Johnson is a terrific athlete who has some character concerns-he was arrested earlier this year in a scuffle with the police. Johnson is well regarded by Mike Mayock, but there are questions about whether he will be a cornerback or safety. For Johnson on Tuesday he has to show that he has the fluidity to play cornerback in the N.F.L. or it could hurt his stock–or perhaps maybe teams think he can be a good safety and that will help his stock in a weak safety class.
Stephon Gilmore-Gilmore is one of “my guys” guys that I seem to be higher on than everyone else. I’m hoping he shows me the kind of athletic ability I believe he is today. He has a lot of physical upside, but needs to be coached up a bit.
Ryan Steed-Steed the cornerback from Furman is a guy who has impressed me a lot when I’ve watched him. Problem is I haven’t watched him a lot. Tomorrow is a good day to evaluate the talented mid-round prospect. He has terrific ball skills, does he have the requisite athleticism?
Cliff Harris, Oregon-Harris stock is an enigma. He measured in at 5’11 175 pounds, he’s smaller and has the character concerns. He is considered a speed guy and is one guy who could really use a fast 40 yard dash time.
Winston Guy Jr. S, Kentucky-one of my favorite under-the-radar prospects. Guy Jr. Could use a really good combine to go with his terrific production this year. Guy is reminiscent to us a little bit of Bob Sanders with his athleticism. He’s bigger though. He measured in at 6’1 218 pounds.
Jayron Holsey was once considered a first round prospect, but no longer. He’s an off-coverage guy a little bit comparable to Asante Samuel because he excels at guessing and making plays on the football. Hosley needs a great combine tomorrow. He’s one of the smallest cornerbacks at 178 pounds.
Leonard Johnson Iowa State is a cornerback that is liked by Mayock as well. Johnson put himself on the map when he played well against Justin Blackmon. Johnson is smaller, and won’t test that fast (I expect) he needs to dominate on the drills.
Harrison Smith, SS, Norte Dame is an instinctive safety that made a lot of big plays for the Fighting Irish. There are a lot of questions about his speed, but he has terrific size. If he can prove the nay-sayers wrong about his speed he’s another guy who could solidify a second round grade.
We’ll have a post-combine mock draft update here on Tuesday after the combine.
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All of the defensive backs measurements are here