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Leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft starting on April 29th, we will be releasing several draft profiles of prospects who could potentially see themselves on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next up…
Holland weighs in at 196lbs, standing at 6’1″ and is one of the best defensive playmakers in the draft.
Overview:
Jevon Holland was one of the premier recruits out of California in 2018 and chose to join the Fighting Ducks over other premier schools like Notre Dame. It didn’t take long for Holland to show why he was a highly desired recruit, as he won the starting free safety job as a true freshman and performed very well. He showed to be a true ballhawk in the secondary for the Ducks and was arguably their biggest playmaker anywhere on the team coming up with 5 interceptions. In his following sophomore campaign, it surprised many people that he made the switch to become Oregon’s slot cornerback after such a successful freshman season. However, Holland showed he can excel in that role as well becoming one of the best slot cornerbacks in the country. He decided to sit out the 2020 season due to Covid-19, but that shouldn’t stop him from hearing his name called early in April’s draft.
Pros:
Cons:
With the first few weeks of free agency coming and going, Steeler Nation has quickly realized cornerback is likely a rising need on the team, and Holland is a great option for a team that is always looking to add more playmakers.
Coverage:
Man coverage, zone coverage, in the slot, single high, no matter the coverage, Holland has experience playing it. It’s hard to say whether he is better served as a deep coverage safety or as a slot corner because he had such great success doing both. When at safety, he can either man up against athletic tight ends or cover the back end without much issue. You will rarely see someone get behind him when he is in deep zone and is constantly tracking guys in his area. As a slot corner he is able to stick with the quickest of receivers on short slants and carry them up the seem without much issue. Elite deep speed can give him trouble here very occasionally, but he has the football IQ to turn early and get up to be speed before most can get by him.
Ball Skills/Instincts:
There likely isn’t a defensive back with better ball skills in this class, especially when you consider Holland has displayed those skills at two different positions. At safety, he is able to keep a close eye on where the quarterback is looking and break towards that area instantly. His instincts as a safety rival some of the most seasoned players in college football and he was a true freshman. Same goes for when he was a slot, as he has good recognition of route combinations and reacts quickly to receivers setting up their cuts. Once the ball is in the air, Holland usually has about as good of a shot as the intended receiver of getting his hands on it. With 19 combined interceptions and pass breakups throughout his career, there are zero questions about him playing the ball while it is in the air.
Run Support/Tackling:
Holland’s tackling was his biggest issue as a true freshman, which is somewhat to be expected. He was always willing, but he had way too many missed tackles in his first season, especially for someone who is supposed to be the last line of defense. In 2019 as a sophomore, he cleaned that up a bit as his missed tackle rate came down to the expected level for a college safety, making him no longer a liability there. Everyone would’ve liked to see him repeat his performance here in 2020, but he opted out of the season. He is a bit thin and lanky, which helps him in coverage, but it prevents him from being a true force in the running game. He won’t shy away from it, but he could definitely benefit from adding a few pounds to better support in the running game.
NFL Comparison – Minkah Fitzpatrick
This is a comparison that Steeler Nation is going to love. Like Holland, Minkah Fitzpatrick came out of college with great ball skills, position versatility, and minor concerns about his speed/overall athleticism. Fitzpatrick exceled in college the same way Holland did with his elite instincts and quick reactions to what is happening in front of him. Fitzpatrick managed to turn that into being one of the best free safeties in the NFL, relying on those same traits, and Holland should be able to do the same regardless of which position he lines up at.
Draft Projection – Late 1st/2nd Round:
If Holland played in 2020 and put on another stellar campaign like he did his first two seasons, he’d be an unquestioned first round pick. However, he failed to answer the small questions about the small holes in his game by opting out last season, so there is a chance he slides to the middle of, or maybe even late in the 2nd round.
Let us know below what you think about Holland as a prospect, and let us know what other prospects you could be interested in seeing a profile on!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Jevon Holland (Defensive Back), Oregon, Junior
Holland weighs in at 196lbs, standing at 6’1″ and is one of the best defensive playmakers in the draft.
Overview:
Jevon Holland was one of the premier recruits out of California in 2018 and chose to join the Fighting Ducks over other premier schools like Notre Dame. It didn’t take long for Holland to show why he was a highly desired recruit, as he won the starting free safety job as a true freshman and performed very well. He showed to be a true ballhawk in the secondary for the Ducks and was arguably their biggest playmaker anywhere on the team coming up with 5 interceptions. In his following sophomore campaign, it surprised many people that he made the switch to become Oregon’s slot cornerback after such a successful freshman season. However, Holland showed he can excel in that role as well becoming one of the best slot cornerbacks in the country. He decided to sit out the 2020 season due to Covid-19, but that shouldn’t stop him from hearing his name called early in April’s draft.
Pros:
- Ballhawk and playmaker, finds the ball all over the field
- Position versatility
- Great length and size
- Coverage versatility, comfortable no matter what coverage he is in
- Great instincts
- High football IQ
- Quick burst when reacting to what he sees
- Willing tackler
- Offers special teams contributions as a punt returner
- Good route recognition
- Very good range, can cover sideline to sideline as a single high safety
- Quick hips when turning in space
Cons:
- Long speed, not an elite athlete
- Thin, not an imposing presence that might get bullied by larger players and tight ends
- Had tackling issues as a freshman, but appeared to improve as a sophomore
- Is susceptible to getting beat on double moves
- Sat out 2020
With the first few weeks of free agency coming and going, Steeler Nation has quickly realized cornerback is likely a rising need on the team, and Holland is a great option for a team that is always looking to add more playmakers.
Coverage:
Man coverage, zone coverage, in the slot, single high, no matter the coverage, Holland has experience playing it. It’s hard to say whether he is better served as a deep coverage safety or as a slot corner because he had such great success doing both. When at safety, he can either man up against athletic tight ends or cover the back end without much issue. You will rarely see someone get behind him when he is in deep zone and is constantly tracking guys in his area. As a slot corner he is able to stick with the quickest of receivers on short slants and carry them up the seem without much issue. Elite deep speed can give him trouble here very occasionally, but he has the football IQ to turn early and get up to be speed before most can get by him.
Ball Skills/Instincts:
There likely isn’t a defensive back with better ball skills in this class, especially when you consider Holland has displayed those skills at two different positions. At safety, he is able to keep a close eye on where the quarterback is looking and break towards that area instantly. His instincts as a safety rival some of the most seasoned players in college football and he was a true freshman. Same goes for when he was a slot, as he has good recognition of route combinations and reacts quickly to receivers setting up their cuts. Once the ball is in the air, Holland usually has about as good of a shot as the intended receiver of getting his hands on it. With 19 combined interceptions and pass breakups throughout his career, there are zero questions about him playing the ball while it is in the air.
Run Support/Tackling:
Holland’s tackling was his biggest issue as a true freshman, which is somewhat to be expected. He was always willing, but he had way too many missed tackles in his first season, especially for someone who is supposed to be the last line of defense. In 2019 as a sophomore, he cleaned that up a bit as his missed tackle rate came down to the expected level for a college safety, making him no longer a liability there. Everyone would’ve liked to see him repeat his performance here in 2020, but he opted out of the season. He is a bit thin and lanky, which helps him in coverage, but it prevents him from being a true force in the running game. He won’t shy away from it, but he could definitely benefit from adding a few pounds to better support in the running game.
NFL Comparison – Minkah Fitzpatrick
This is a comparison that Steeler Nation is going to love. Like Holland, Minkah Fitzpatrick came out of college with great ball skills, position versatility, and minor concerns about his speed/overall athleticism. Fitzpatrick exceled in college the same way Holland did with his elite instincts and quick reactions to what is happening in front of him. Fitzpatrick managed to turn that into being one of the best free safeties in the NFL, relying on those same traits, and Holland should be able to do the same regardless of which position he lines up at.
Draft Projection – Late 1st/2nd Round:
If Holland played in 2020 and put on another stellar campaign like he did his first two seasons, he’d be an unquestioned first round pick. However, he failed to answer the small questions about the small holes in his game by opting out last season, so there is a chance he slides to the middle of, or maybe even late in the 2nd round.
Let us know below what you think about Holland as a prospect, and let us know what other prospects you could be interested in seeing a profile on!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
