2015 NFL Draft: Trae Waynes Scouting Report

Nov 22, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Trae Waynes (15) stands on the field between plays during the1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

As one of the top overall prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft, Trae Waynes is going to be getting his fair share of publicity. He is as of right now considered the top cornerback prospect by multiple media outlets. Before I hit on Waynes’ strengths and weaknesses, here are his athletic testing numbers through the one and only Mockdraftable.com

STRENGTHS

Waynes is a long corner with top-end speed who can jam the receiver successfully on weekly basis. His recovery speed and press ability make him an excellent fit as a bump/run guy in the NFL. He also uses that length and physicality to re-route the wide receiver into another path, whether that be to the sideline or just out of the play.

Another attribute that Waynes excels at are his natural ball-skills. He is always looking to make a play when the ball is in the air, whether it be an interception or a pass breakup. His smooth, fluid athleticism helps him with this as well.

Perhaps the most underrated part of Waynes’ game is his ability to help in run support. He takes solid pursuit angles to the ball carrier and rarely ever misses an open-field tackle. Not only does he have the ability to do so, but he also has the willingness to do so.

The number one reason why Waynes is such a hot commodity in draft circles today is because of his experience in playing on an island in man coverage. In the past two seasons, he has only given up two touchdowns. The production speaks for itself, and that’s why some scouts believe he will be the next young shutdown cornerback in the league.

WEAKNESSES

The primary weakness with Waynes is his lack of hip flexion. With stiff hips, Waynes showed the inability to mirror the receiver per se. If he ever faces a quick, top-notch route runner in the NFL, which he will, he will get burned on the underneath routes all day long.

Another weakness of his game is that he is a bit grabby in man coverage. If he gets beat down the field he will constantly grab a piece of the wide receiver, and in today’s NFL, that will get called ten times more. Again these holding penalties are a direct bi-product of his lack of hip flexion to react to the sharp routes of the wide receiver.

One of my pet peeves with defensive backs is if they have slow reaction skills. With Waynes, it’s almost as if he lets the play happen before he reacts to it. Like I said earlier, if he ever faces a quick route runner in the NFL, I’d be willing to put that player in my starting lineup for fantasy football because of all the underneath routes that will be available.

PRO COMPARISON

Stephon Gilmore, Bills

IDEAL SCHEME FIT

Cover 1 Press/Man Coverage

TEAM FITS

Minnesota Vikings

Waynes would fit in well with Xavier Rhodes, who is also a long, press corner, to provide a young, formidable secondary in Minnesota. Mike Zimmer likes his aggressive, long cornerbacks, so do not be surprised if this is the pick at 11.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints are currently in desperation to find a cornerback opposite of Keenan Lewis. The wide receivers in the NFC South are upgrading, and the Saints would be foolish to not counter that with a young cornerback with plenty of upside.

ROUND PROJECTION

At the end of the day, Trae Waynes is not going to escape the top 15 picks; however, I do not believe the hype that surrounds him as the clear-cut cornerback in this class. In my opinion, both Marcus Peters and Kevin Johnson are overall better players, but I think Waynes will get overdrafted because of his ridiculous athleticism and NFL Combine numbers. With that being said, his ceiling may be the Giants at 9, and his floor is the 49ers at 15.