LeShaun Sims, CB, S. Utah: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report

With pass attempts skyrocketing, cornerbacks are at a premium now in the NFL. Teams will pay top dollar for a guy who can shut down elite receivers and will trade up in the draft to land the top defensive back prospects. This makes diamonds in the rough all the more important, and LeShaun Sims certainly fits that mold. The All-Big Sky selection has the size and speed to lock-up receivers at the next level.

Measurables

6-0

203 pounds

4.53 40-yard dash

37 inch vertical jump

Strengths

A hallmark trait of a good cornerback is the ability to disrupt the receiver, physically and mentally. Sims does both. He’s an expert at bump-and-run coverage and often gets subtle jabs into the chest of receivers. This gets his opponent off balance and annoyed.

Sims also has great size for his position. This allows him to match up with receivers on the outside but still make plays near the line of scrimmage. He is a decent tackler who can cover very well down field.

Weaknesses

The biggest knock against Sims is the fact that he played against inferior competition. Playing at the FCS level, he rarely, if at all, faced talent remotely close to what he will go up against in the NFL. Will Sims be able to shut down bigger and faster receivers than he is used to?

Sims also struggles with run defense support. He has a difficult time shedding blocks and finding the running back.

While he has good body size, his hands are a mere eight inches wide. That can cause issues in terms of making interceptions, knocking passes away and wrapping up opponents.