Jeremy Cutrer, CB, Middle Tennessee: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Who would’ve thought that a defensive back could make more than five total tackles in eight separate games in 2016?
Yes, you read that correctly. To go along with three interceptions in 2016, Jeremy Cutrer recorded eight or more total tackles in eight games in his final season at Middle Tennessee.
Along with impressive tackling skills, his 32-inch vertical and 10-foot broad jump exhibit his elite athleticism.
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Measurables
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 167 lbs
Pro Day Results
40-yard dash: 4.52 sec
Vertical jump: 32 in
Broad jump: 10 feet
Strengths
As a defensive back, especially considering his weight, he is a great tackler. He is physical, on and off the ball, and finishes with his tackles. Cutrer also has great instincts, as he keeps his eyes on the quarterback and is always one of the first defenders to greet the ball carrier.
The former Blue Raider also has the ever-valuable weapon of versatility. Although he’s currently a cornerback, he played safety earlier in his career. Cutrer can play off the ball as well as in press coverage as a result.
His hips are quite loose. As a defensive back, one must be able to rotate their hips very easily to anticipate routes. Cutrer won’t be getting beat very often as a result.
Weaknesses
Although being fast as a cornerback is quite important, it should not come at the cost of muscle. Cutrer is as close to a stick as you can get, as the Middle Tennessee graduate could benefit by bulking up.
He can be overaggressive when pursuing tackles. Cutrer sometimes takes himself out of plays entirely by incorrectly anticipating plays and takes poor angles at times as a result.
His experience playing off the ball as a safety sometimes leads to a little too much space between him and the receiver. Cutrer probably won’t be spending time at safety in the NFL ball skills, so he’ll have to lessen the gap between him and the man he’s covering.
Bottom Line
Cutrer’s combination of athleticism, ball-skills and tackling ability gives him an advantage over most cornerbacks. Most defensive backs are hoping to come into the NFL lack at least one of those traits.
In the grand scheme of things, this cornerback class is one of the best in recent memory. Cutrer has the potential to be excellent at the next level, but he’s clearly overshadowed by the likes of Marshon Lattimore and Marlon Humphrey. He’ll likely to fall into the third or fourth round and end up being quite a steal.