Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report
By Henry Payne
UCLA’s Fabian Moreau has been a late riser up draft boards. Once an unknown commodity, it’s now unlikely he’ll get out of the second round.
The pre-draft process has been beneficial for the native of Sunrise, Florida. His showing at the East-West Shrine Game and the NFL Combine helped his stock.
Strengths
Bulky outside corner who played a variety of coverages at UCLA but was in press man the majority of the time. Maintains outside force on run plays and is disciplined in this regard. Is physical against receivers and will shoot his hands into their chest to influence their route and run them out of bounds on deep routes with his aggressiveness and physicality.
Sits in the hip pocket of the receiver and has the speed to turn and run with them up the sideline. Fluid backpedal and can flip his hips with ease. Solid wrap-up tackler who tends to go low to bring down the ballcarrier. Diagnoses plays quickly and adapts accordingly, showed an ability to drive on the ball and make a play.
Weaknesses
Bullied by bigger receivers on slant and comeback routes and despite his bulky build, he is often unable to disengage from blocking receivers. On deep routes, he is late in turning his head and locating the ball and is, therefore, unable to make a play.
The effort is inconsistent, and Moreau would prefer to stay away from the trenches. Needs to discipline his hand use downfield, there were too many occasions in which he gave away pass interference penalties, and he could have given away more.
While an excellent athlete his reactions and instincts seem pedestrian and his production with regards to turnovers over the past couple of seasons have not been great.
Next: D.J. Jones, DT, Ole Miss: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Projection: Round 1-2
Whilst it is more likely that he will now be selected on the second day because of his pectoral injury, Fabian Moreau is worthy of late first round consideration. This cornerback class is incredibly deep and the fact that someone will likely be able to pick up the UCLA senior on the second day is a testament to that statement.