Jordan Lomax, FS, Iowa: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) is tackled by Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Jordan Lomax (27), and wide receiver Joshua Jackson (15) during the third quarter in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Player Summary

Jordan Lomax, a 2011 three-star recruit, started 27 of 47 career games at Iowa. Sat out the 2012 season with a shoulder injury and switched from cornerback to free safety prior to the 2013 season. Led the Hawkeyes with 188 total tackles over the past two seasons. Adequate height/weight with solid length, a compact frame and solid athletic ability.

Player Information

Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 5’9″ 3/4

Weight: 204 lbs.

Arm Length: 30-7/8 inches

Hand Size: 8.5 inches

Estimate 40 Time: mid 4.5s

Games Watched

2015: Indiana, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Stanford, Shrine Game

Strengths

Very good ability to diagnose the play and react quickly. Those instincts were on full display against Pittsburgh this past season. In the play below, Lomax notices wide receiver Tyler Boyd going in motion from the opposite side of the field. He immediately signals to the cornerback on his side of the field that he’s taking Boyd and makes his move toward the line of scrimmage. Lomax tracks Boyd’s hips and takes him down with a physical, high-to-low tackle after only a one-yard gain.

Isn’t fooled by play action as a result of good instincts; playing pass until the ball is handed off. From zone, maintains a solid angular body position while reading the quarterback which allows him to explode out of his backpedal towards the point of attack. In man coverage, mirrors routes well and forces the QB to throw into tight windows. Demonstrates solid ball skills as he tracks well, takes an aggressive angle and plays the ball at its highest point. Possesses the play strength to win one-on-one battles for the ball.

Against the run, he’s one of the top free safeties in this class. Very good at getting in position to constrict running lanes and force ball carrier back into traffic. Sheds blocks quickly with the closing speed to make a play. Hard-hitting safety with elite competitive toughness. Takes on backs of all sizes and brings them down with an aggressive, physical tackle. Recovers from mistakes quickly as a result of solid mental toughness.

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Weaknesses

In man coverage, is susceptible to double moves as a result of his aggressiveness and lack of fluidity. Stanford took note of this in their month’s worth of preparation leading up to the Rose Bowl. As seen in the two clips below, once with a RB and once with a WR, Stanford exploits Lomax’s biggest weakness for touchdowns. The first score came on an option route out of the backfield by Christian McCaffrey on the first play from scrimmage. The second occurred on a stop and go route by WR Michael Rector against a corner blitz.

Tight hips impaired his ability to get in and out of breaks quickly and run with the receivers. Adequate play speed from zone coverage as he lacks the range to cover the entire space between the numbers. Takes poor angles to balls out of his zone and lacks the top-end speed to catch players from behind.

Overall

Overall, Jordan Lomax is a backup free safety in a Cover 2 or Cover 3 defense who wins with his instincts and physical style of play. Is not someone who has the range to be left alone in a deep zone such as a Cover 1. His special teams contributions will increase his value, but a lack of fluidity and susceptibility to double moves could prevent him from being a reliable free safety. It will be interesting to see how well he performs in change of direction drills at the Combine such as the three-cone drill and shuttle runs. Solid times could assuage some concerns about his agility, but it’s doubtful he comes off the board before the final round or two.

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