Marquez White, CB, Florida State: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Marquez White has been somewhat lost in a loaded defensive back class for the 2017 NFL draft. Does his scouting report reflect a hidden gem?

Position:  CB

School:  Florida State

Year:  Senior

Height:  6’1″

Weight:  185

STRENGTHS:

• Size is ideal for the pro level and he has a well-proportioned frame that should be able to stand up to the physicality without issue.
• Plenty athletic enough. Shows the fluid hips and quick feet to change directions quickly. Doesn’t allow much separation in coverage.
• Doesn’t seem to lack the necessary speed for press coverage. Has the ability to stay in the hip pocket of receivers down the field.

This is from the Senior Bowl. He’s one-on-one on an island by himself. Note the quick feet and fluid way he flips his hips and then the speed to stay right with the receiver on the route. Then does a good job of staying tight on the comeback, forcing the pass to be perfect. Though it’s a completion, there was plenty to like about how White played that entire sequence.

• Aggressive play demeanor. He doesn’t let himself be blocked. He fights to get free and chases the ball carrier to limit gains or create losses.
• Explosive acceleration when playing off coverage. If the ball is thrown horizontal he reacts almost instantly and can create havoc with the play before it forms.
• Does a proper job of getting a jam on the wide receiver in press, throwing off the timing of the play. Always a quick, violent shot.

WEAKNESSES:

• Tends to get lazy with his fundamentals in coverage, resulting in too much grabbing and poor discipline. Inevitably this leads to flags.
• Tackling is hot and cold. Some plays he wraps up well but others he intentionally gets out of the way and tries to trip up. Won’t sit well with some coaches.
• Can take some bad angles to certain plays, allowing lanes for ball carriers to slip through. Must do a better job of trusting his eyes.
• Doesn’t always squeeze of curl or slant routes enough, allowing an easy completion for the offense. Has to learn how to close those gaps.

Pro Comparison:  A.J. Bouye

Bouye was an undrafted free agent but he’s proven that was a mistake. The young man is a good-sized athlete who excels in press coverage thanks to his fluid athleticism and aggressive demeanor. At the same time he’s never showcased a great deal of ball skills and tends to get flagged a lot. These are the same things that make up both the good and bad about White. He has a chance to be a great cover corner, but has to clean up his sloppy discipline.

Projection:  3rd Round

Due to the overstocked nature of this draft class, the odds are White won’t go until later on Day 2. Any normal year he’d be in the conversation for the 1st round. As it stands he’ll be a quality find for a team at a bargain price who can probably start for them right away. Coaching will become key to him unlocking his full potential.