From TMC .. remember this is who he thinks may be on the Steelers big boards not necessarily who is the best players
Stacking the Steelers Draft Board
Round 3, Pick 26 and Round 4, Pick 25
Sean Davis CB/S Maryland-Davis is 6010, 201 pounds. At the combine, he ran a 4.46 forty with an amazing 3.97 short shuttle. This shows that he has excellent straight line speed but also shows the flexibility and change of direction some of the longer cornerbacks just don’t have. He is considered a cornerback and safety tweener by many and that label has some merit because Maryland played him at corner last season, but he struggled mightily at cornerback and his best position is safety. He has excellent range. He will tackle. He can walk down and cover the slot or tight ends. In all likelihood, he could be considered a second round safety ahead of Bush and teams that went to the 2014 film, likely will have him higher. His move to corner hurt his draft stock.
Justin Simmons, S, Boston College-Simmons is 6023, 202 pounds. He ran a 4.61 forty at the combine and a 4.53 forty at his pro day. His short shuttle is a sick 3.85. To put that in perspective, the NFL generally wants their cornerbacks to have a short shuttle under 4.19. It shows change of direction. Anything under a 4.10 is very good and if you crack a 4.00, it is elite. For a safety, this is one of the fastest shuttle times I have ever seen. He added a 40” vertical jump and his broad jump was 10’06”. Needless to say, prior to the combine I really likes Simmons. After the combine, he is the one safety I hope they find a way to land. He has excellent range, natural ball skills, will support the run although he is not a big hitter, he does a solid job of squaring the runner and wrapping him up. He rarely misses tackles, rarely gets out of position, and is just an excellent all around safety. If I were drafting, I would not be afraid to take him in the second if guys like Karl Joseph are gone. If I can steal him in the 3rd, I am all over it even if I drafted a guy like Karl Joseph earlier. He could turn out to be one of the better safeties in this draft and this is a deep safety draft.
Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama-Jones is 5097, 197 pounds. Jones ran a 4.49 forty at the combine. His shuttle time was a 4.21 which shows he has a little more straight line speed than change of direction, but he appears very fluid on film. He does not possess eye popping workout numbers and this combined with his size will cause him to slide some. On film, he is a scrappy corner that is not afraid to get in the face of wide receivers and make them earn it. He has solid ball skills, will challenge the ball in the air, is a willing tackler, and just a good all-around football player. I think he is on the Steelers radar, but I think his number only gets called if the taller, more athletic corners are gone. He certainly is the best of the smaller corners.
Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina-Cooper is 5111, 203 pounds. He ran a 4.63 forty at his pro day and his general workout numbers are average. I have watched every game of Cooper’s career. He played on a team with suspect play at the quarterback position and it isn’t like South Carolina ran out a fleet of quality wide receivers. He opted out a year early and while I think another year could have helped his draft stock, with the hot mess that was South Carolina last season, it was a smart move. Cooper did everything asked of him by South Carolina coaches. On passing downs, everyone knew Cooper was getting the football and he still made plays. He is a solid route runner with excellent hands that just battles. While his physical characteristics do not overwhelm, he far exceeds any workout numbers with sheer determination. I would not be upset with Cooper as the selection in the 3rd, but I think some team grabs him earlier.
Vonn Bell, SS, Ohio State-Bell is 5106, 199 pounds. He ran a 4.53 forty at his pro day but has struggled with hamstring issues and it has limited his workouts. Bell looks like a strong safety and while that is fine, the issue is he looks like a strong safety in coverage. Bell does not appear to have great range in coverage and can appear stiff when asked to handle receivers in one on one situations. He is a willing hitter and does a decent job in run support. Bell really appears to be a strong safety only and may be a guy that needs to play down in the box. The Steelers will often look for safeties that can flip assignments, meaning coverage could be a key and Bell may not have the skills needed.
T.J. Green, S, Clemson-Green is 6024, 209 pounds. Green ran a 4.34 forty at the combine but he is not a guy with great change of direction. He is more of a straight line player, which is fine at safety. Green moved from wide receiver and has only played safety for two seasons, starting one. There is talk of Green moving into the first round and if some team desires to spend that high a pick on Green, more power to them. He is so raw as a player. He gets caught peeking into the backfield, takes false steps forward, struggles when asked to handle guys in single coverage, and just makes so many mental mistakes that I do not see his physical attributes overcoming those issues at the next level. He needs time to develop and I just don’t see taking players that high and shelving them for 2 seasons while you wait. I can live with it later and that is why I have Green in the 3rd round. He is physical and will hit you. He has the tools to develop in coverage. He just isn’t there yet.
Jeremy Cash, S, Duke-Cash is 6003, 212 pounds. He is listed as a safety and the only reason I list him there is because the Steelers need a strong safety, but even in 2014, when he played the “safety” position, he spent the majority of his time on the linebacker level. At his pro day, he ran in the 4.55-4.59 range with decent workout numbers in other areas. On film, he just does not play deep enough to sell me on the idea he is a pure safety. He is much like Sua Cravens, who I left off the list completely. They are similar animals that likely fit the in the box safety or money linebacker spot in packages. I just cannot see spending second round picks on guys that cannot play in the base defense as well as those packages and I just don’t feel Cash can. The Steelers had a large contingent at his pro day, which leads me to believe they have him higher on the list. I just cannot move him up any higher. The value isn’t there for me.
Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU-Kaufusi is 6064, 285 pounds. Kaufusi has shot up draft boards lately and while many still have him rated below Nassib, I don’t. I think Kaufusi is a more polished technical football player that will continue to improve under good coaching. His father is the defensive line coach for BYU. He shows excellent pass rush moves and is a very polished player. In 2014, BYU wanted him to play outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense so he cut weight down to 255. It was a failed effort because they asked Kaufusi to drop into coverage more than they asked him to rush the passer, which is his strength. He moved back to defensive end in 2015, added the weight back, and near the end of the season, began to resemble the player he was prior to cutting the weight. He is solid at the point of attack, has excellent pass rush ability, and is just a nice all-around player. He ended 2015 with 11 sacks and 20 TFLs.
Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State-Nassib is 6067, 277 pounds. He has solid workout numbers and at 277 pounds, I think Nassib could easily carry another 10 pounds and play defensive end in the Steelers scheme. I just don’t know if he has the technique to be an every down defensive end right now and I am not sure the Steelers are willing to spend a high pick on a situational player, so I have Nassib in the 3rd round. I think he could be developed, work on his hands and learn to shed blockers quicker, develop his overall pass rush moves, and become a solid player in the NFL. I am not sure Nassib would ever become a starter, but he could become quality depth. I think he could be rated higher by other teams, but not for me.
Jatavis Brown, LB, Akron-Brown is 5107, 227 pounds. He is a guy that is quickly climbing draft boards and that is due to his elite athleticism and nose for the football. Brown ran a 4.44 forty at his pro day, adding 33 reps on the bench, a 35.5” vertical jump, a 10’05” broad jump, and a 4.31 shuttle. While Brown lacks the pure size to be an every down linebacker and does not have that elite coverage to make the move to safety, he has a role as a heavy safety or money linebacker when teams move to nickel situations. He has excellent short area burst and the ability to run with tight ends and some wide receivers in short areas. He is excellent in zone coverage and shows a great burst to the football. He arrives with a thump. Brown is an excellent tackler and moves through the trash as well as any linebacker in this draft. He is exceptionally difficult for blockers to catch, gets into gaps and cracks to sniff out the football, and puts people on their rear. If the Steelers are able to get a pure strong safety with coverage ability early, Brown could be a great addition in the later rounds to bolster the passing down packages.
Darian Thompson, S, Boise State-Thompson is 6017, 208 pounds. He ran a 4.69 at the combine but dropped that to a 4.58 at his pro day. He is another safety that shows more straight line speed than change of direction. Thompson could be higher on this list, but I have some uneasy feelings about his ability to diagnose plays. He tends to be a backfield watcher and can get himself out of position because of this tendency. When he reads pass, he does a nice job of staying deep and patrolling the middle, but when he reads run, he will crash down and give up deep containment. In the film I watched, he was saved in a couple instances where he bit down chasing the run on play action and the corners either played the coverage well or the front seven got to the quarterback. On run plays, he does a nice job sniffing out the football and is not afraid to get involved, but he could become a better all-around tackler. I would be happy with Thompson in the 4th, but many have him higher and I am not that sold on him.
Tavon Young, CB, Temple-Young is 5091, 183 pounds. He ran a 4.46 forty and added a 3.93 short shuttle. Young could go higher on this list. He plays the outside at Temple but it is difficult seeing a guy with his size sticking as an edge defender in the NFL. If any small cornerback can, Young shows the mentality and aggressiveness to do it. He plays the run and attacks the football like a bigger corner. He has elite quickness and shows the ability to play off and man coverages. He can allow larger cushions on some routes but clicks and closes well to tackle the football. He plays with the right mentality and appears to understand route concepts. He reads plays quickly and just makes play after play.
Jonathan Jones, CB, Auburn-Jones is 5091, 186 pounds. He has elite long speed running a 4.33 forty at the combine. He was asked to play off coverage too often at Auburn and this is not his strength. He isn’t a guy that sits in zones or off coverages and clicks to close on shorter throws well. He is at his best in the face of the receiver and does an excellent job of getting in the hip pocket of receivers and staying there through the route. He will likely find a home as a slot specialist and could end up with a long career in this role. He should be around in the 4th as he does have some injury concerns and is limited in his role.
D.J. White, CB Georgia Tech-White is 5107, 193 pounds. He ran a 4.49 forty at the combine. His other numbers were mixed and I think White is a guy that possibly sneaks into the 4th round of the draft. He shows some solid coverage abilities and does not mind being physical with receivers. He will bump and nudge guys to rub off speed and will stay with them through the routes. He can improve his off coverage and zone as he does not click and close as fast as he should. He is a guy that will throw his body at runners, but he does not show great form and will miss some tackles. He understands route schemes and shows good instincts and positioning. He reminds me a great deal of William Gay.
Jerald Hawkins, OT, LSU-Hawkins is 6055, 305 pounds. He has 34 ¼” arms and had 23 reps on the bench. He has solid functional strength. He played left tackle for LSU and could be viewed as a swing tackle, but I would not be surprised if the Steelers viewed him as a future left guard. He has some quickness off the snap moving forward and shows solid reach. He can get the reach blocks in zone schemes and does a nice job of using his body to position himself between the defensive player and running lane. He has good strength and can move guys. He is not overpowering or elite in any one area and his film does not jump out, but play after play he gets the job done. I see him as a steady and consistent player that could develop into a long-time starter in the NFL if he isn’t asked to do too much.
Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford-Hooper is 6036, 254 pounds. He ran a 4.72 forty, had 19 reps on the bench, and showed solid athleticism. Hooper should go much higher and it is unlikely he is on the board, but it would take him being a slider for the Steelers to pull the trigger after bringing in a high priced free agent tight end. Hooper is a willing blocker and does a solid job as an inline tight end or split out. He has decent straight line speed but is not a guy that is going to get a great deal of separation. He is not an elite route runner and doesn’t have burst out of his routes. He has solid hands and can find holes in zones to move the chains, but is just in the mold of Steeler tight ends, average athleticism, willing blocker, can make chain moving catches.
Harlan Miller, CB, Southeastern Louisiana-Miller is 5117, 182 pounds. Miller is a guy that a lot of draftniks have rated much higher. I am not as thrilled with his film. He is a marginal athlete for the position. He ran a 4.65 forty at the combine and trimmed that time to 4.57 at his pro day. His 4.42 short shuttle is worse than a lot of linebackers and screams stiffness. His other workout numbers were pretty pedestrian. On film, he is a guy that wants to get in the face of receivers and be physical, but he has a poor jam and just flicks his hands out. He does not redirect guys well and can lose them into the route. In off coverage, he is not a guy that closes and tackles consistently enough and will allow too many receptions. He does not show enough ball skills for me and is just a raw prospect. I can see him sliding. He does offer some return promise, but not enough to push him up draft boards.
Jayron Kearse, SS, Clemson-Kearse is 6040, 216 pounds. He ran a 4.62 forty at the combine but did not participate in some activities due to a groin injury. Kearse is not as aggressive as Green. He also does not possess Green’s athleticism. He will come up and support the run, but he tends to spend most of his time in deep coverage and can disappear from games at times. He shows some ball skills and has some ability in coverage, but really never jumps off the film as often as he should. He just leaves a lot to be desired and appears to be something of a project. He is a difficult player to grade and while I want to like him, I would not touch him above the 4th round and could see him slide later.
Ryan Smith, CB, North Carolina Central-Smith is 5110, 189 pounds. He ran a 4.47 forty with a 4.09 short shuttle. He has solid workout numbers across the board. There is not a lot of film on Smith, but he reminds me of a raw Ike Taylor with hands. I know, a raw Ike Taylor who was raw coming out. He shows some ability in zone coverage and does a really solid job on underneath throws. He can struggle with the transition to deeper areas when playing off and will lose a receiver, but he does continue to work and shows the speed and ability to close the distance. He plays the ball in the air and looks more like a wide receiver than a cornerback. He has return ability. He needs a lot of work bodying the receiver and using those little skills to stay in contact down routes, but he is a 4-year starter that was very productive at his level. Players with his overall athletic ability usually go in this range.
Stacking the Steelers Draft Board
Round 3, Pick 26 and Round 4, Pick 25
Sean Davis CB/S Maryland-Davis is 6010, 201 pounds. At the combine, he ran a 4.46 forty with an amazing 3.97 short shuttle. This shows that he has excellent straight line speed but also shows the flexibility and change of direction some of the longer cornerbacks just don’t have. He is considered a cornerback and safety tweener by many and that label has some merit because Maryland played him at corner last season, but he struggled mightily at cornerback and his best position is safety. He has excellent range. He will tackle. He can walk down and cover the slot or tight ends. In all likelihood, he could be considered a second round safety ahead of Bush and teams that went to the 2014 film, likely will have him higher. His move to corner hurt his draft stock.
Justin Simmons, S, Boston College-Simmons is 6023, 202 pounds. He ran a 4.61 forty at the combine and a 4.53 forty at his pro day. His short shuttle is a sick 3.85. To put that in perspective, the NFL generally wants their cornerbacks to have a short shuttle under 4.19. It shows change of direction. Anything under a 4.10 is very good and if you crack a 4.00, it is elite. For a safety, this is one of the fastest shuttle times I have ever seen. He added a 40” vertical jump and his broad jump was 10’06”. Needless to say, prior to the combine I really likes Simmons. After the combine, he is the one safety I hope they find a way to land. He has excellent range, natural ball skills, will support the run although he is not a big hitter, he does a solid job of squaring the runner and wrapping him up. He rarely misses tackles, rarely gets out of position, and is just an excellent all around safety. If I were drafting, I would not be afraid to take him in the second if guys like Karl Joseph are gone. If I can steal him in the 3rd, I am all over it even if I drafted a guy like Karl Joseph earlier. He could turn out to be one of the better safeties in this draft and this is a deep safety draft.
Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama-Jones is 5097, 197 pounds. Jones ran a 4.49 forty at the combine. His shuttle time was a 4.21 which shows he has a little more straight line speed than change of direction, but he appears very fluid on film. He does not possess eye popping workout numbers and this combined with his size will cause him to slide some. On film, he is a scrappy corner that is not afraid to get in the face of wide receivers and make them earn it. He has solid ball skills, will challenge the ball in the air, is a willing tackler, and just a good all-around football player. I think he is on the Steelers radar, but I think his number only gets called if the taller, more athletic corners are gone. He certainly is the best of the smaller corners.
Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina-Cooper is 5111, 203 pounds. He ran a 4.63 forty at his pro day and his general workout numbers are average. I have watched every game of Cooper’s career. He played on a team with suspect play at the quarterback position and it isn’t like South Carolina ran out a fleet of quality wide receivers. He opted out a year early and while I think another year could have helped his draft stock, with the hot mess that was South Carolina last season, it was a smart move. Cooper did everything asked of him by South Carolina coaches. On passing downs, everyone knew Cooper was getting the football and he still made plays. He is a solid route runner with excellent hands that just battles. While his physical characteristics do not overwhelm, he far exceeds any workout numbers with sheer determination. I would not be upset with Cooper as the selection in the 3rd, but I think some team grabs him earlier.
Vonn Bell, SS, Ohio State-Bell is 5106, 199 pounds. He ran a 4.53 forty at his pro day but has struggled with hamstring issues and it has limited his workouts. Bell looks like a strong safety and while that is fine, the issue is he looks like a strong safety in coverage. Bell does not appear to have great range in coverage and can appear stiff when asked to handle receivers in one on one situations. He is a willing hitter and does a decent job in run support. Bell really appears to be a strong safety only and may be a guy that needs to play down in the box. The Steelers will often look for safeties that can flip assignments, meaning coverage could be a key and Bell may not have the skills needed.
T.J. Green, S, Clemson-Green is 6024, 209 pounds. Green ran a 4.34 forty at the combine but he is not a guy with great change of direction. He is more of a straight line player, which is fine at safety. Green moved from wide receiver and has only played safety for two seasons, starting one. There is talk of Green moving into the first round and if some team desires to spend that high a pick on Green, more power to them. He is so raw as a player. He gets caught peeking into the backfield, takes false steps forward, struggles when asked to handle guys in single coverage, and just makes so many mental mistakes that I do not see his physical attributes overcoming those issues at the next level. He needs time to develop and I just don’t see taking players that high and shelving them for 2 seasons while you wait. I can live with it later and that is why I have Green in the 3rd round. He is physical and will hit you. He has the tools to develop in coverage. He just isn’t there yet.
Jeremy Cash, S, Duke-Cash is 6003, 212 pounds. He is listed as a safety and the only reason I list him there is because the Steelers need a strong safety, but even in 2014, when he played the “safety” position, he spent the majority of his time on the linebacker level. At his pro day, he ran in the 4.55-4.59 range with decent workout numbers in other areas. On film, he just does not play deep enough to sell me on the idea he is a pure safety. He is much like Sua Cravens, who I left off the list completely. They are similar animals that likely fit the in the box safety or money linebacker spot in packages. I just cannot see spending second round picks on guys that cannot play in the base defense as well as those packages and I just don’t feel Cash can. The Steelers had a large contingent at his pro day, which leads me to believe they have him higher on the list. I just cannot move him up any higher. The value isn’t there for me.
Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU-Kaufusi is 6064, 285 pounds. Kaufusi has shot up draft boards lately and while many still have him rated below Nassib, I don’t. I think Kaufusi is a more polished technical football player that will continue to improve under good coaching. His father is the defensive line coach for BYU. He shows excellent pass rush moves and is a very polished player. In 2014, BYU wanted him to play outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense so he cut weight down to 255. It was a failed effort because they asked Kaufusi to drop into coverage more than they asked him to rush the passer, which is his strength. He moved back to defensive end in 2015, added the weight back, and near the end of the season, began to resemble the player he was prior to cutting the weight. He is solid at the point of attack, has excellent pass rush ability, and is just a nice all-around player. He ended 2015 with 11 sacks and 20 TFLs.
Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State-Nassib is 6067, 277 pounds. He has solid workout numbers and at 277 pounds, I think Nassib could easily carry another 10 pounds and play defensive end in the Steelers scheme. I just don’t know if he has the technique to be an every down defensive end right now and I am not sure the Steelers are willing to spend a high pick on a situational player, so I have Nassib in the 3rd round. I think he could be developed, work on his hands and learn to shed blockers quicker, develop his overall pass rush moves, and become a solid player in the NFL. I am not sure Nassib would ever become a starter, but he could become quality depth. I think he could be rated higher by other teams, but not for me.
Jatavis Brown, LB, Akron-Brown is 5107, 227 pounds. He is a guy that is quickly climbing draft boards and that is due to his elite athleticism and nose for the football. Brown ran a 4.44 forty at his pro day, adding 33 reps on the bench, a 35.5” vertical jump, a 10’05” broad jump, and a 4.31 shuttle. While Brown lacks the pure size to be an every down linebacker and does not have that elite coverage to make the move to safety, he has a role as a heavy safety or money linebacker when teams move to nickel situations. He has excellent short area burst and the ability to run with tight ends and some wide receivers in short areas. He is excellent in zone coverage and shows a great burst to the football. He arrives with a thump. Brown is an excellent tackler and moves through the trash as well as any linebacker in this draft. He is exceptionally difficult for blockers to catch, gets into gaps and cracks to sniff out the football, and puts people on their rear. If the Steelers are able to get a pure strong safety with coverage ability early, Brown could be a great addition in the later rounds to bolster the passing down packages.
Darian Thompson, S, Boise State-Thompson is 6017, 208 pounds. He ran a 4.69 at the combine but dropped that to a 4.58 at his pro day. He is another safety that shows more straight line speed than change of direction. Thompson could be higher on this list, but I have some uneasy feelings about his ability to diagnose plays. He tends to be a backfield watcher and can get himself out of position because of this tendency. When he reads pass, he does a nice job of staying deep and patrolling the middle, but when he reads run, he will crash down and give up deep containment. In the film I watched, he was saved in a couple instances where he bit down chasing the run on play action and the corners either played the coverage well or the front seven got to the quarterback. On run plays, he does a nice job sniffing out the football and is not afraid to get involved, but he could become a better all-around tackler. I would be happy with Thompson in the 4th, but many have him higher and I am not that sold on him.
Tavon Young, CB, Temple-Young is 5091, 183 pounds. He ran a 4.46 forty and added a 3.93 short shuttle. Young could go higher on this list. He plays the outside at Temple but it is difficult seeing a guy with his size sticking as an edge defender in the NFL. If any small cornerback can, Young shows the mentality and aggressiveness to do it. He plays the run and attacks the football like a bigger corner. He has elite quickness and shows the ability to play off and man coverages. He can allow larger cushions on some routes but clicks and closes well to tackle the football. He plays with the right mentality and appears to understand route concepts. He reads plays quickly and just makes play after play.
Jonathan Jones, CB, Auburn-Jones is 5091, 186 pounds. He has elite long speed running a 4.33 forty at the combine. He was asked to play off coverage too often at Auburn and this is not his strength. He isn’t a guy that sits in zones or off coverages and clicks to close on shorter throws well. He is at his best in the face of the receiver and does an excellent job of getting in the hip pocket of receivers and staying there through the route. He will likely find a home as a slot specialist and could end up with a long career in this role. He should be around in the 4th as he does have some injury concerns and is limited in his role.
D.J. White, CB Georgia Tech-White is 5107, 193 pounds. He ran a 4.49 forty at the combine. His other numbers were mixed and I think White is a guy that possibly sneaks into the 4th round of the draft. He shows some solid coverage abilities and does not mind being physical with receivers. He will bump and nudge guys to rub off speed and will stay with them through the routes. He can improve his off coverage and zone as he does not click and close as fast as he should. He is a guy that will throw his body at runners, but he does not show great form and will miss some tackles. He understands route schemes and shows good instincts and positioning. He reminds me a great deal of William Gay.
Jerald Hawkins, OT, LSU-Hawkins is 6055, 305 pounds. He has 34 ¼” arms and had 23 reps on the bench. He has solid functional strength. He played left tackle for LSU and could be viewed as a swing tackle, but I would not be surprised if the Steelers viewed him as a future left guard. He has some quickness off the snap moving forward and shows solid reach. He can get the reach blocks in zone schemes and does a nice job of using his body to position himself between the defensive player and running lane. He has good strength and can move guys. He is not overpowering or elite in any one area and his film does not jump out, but play after play he gets the job done. I see him as a steady and consistent player that could develop into a long-time starter in the NFL if he isn’t asked to do too much.
Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford-Hooper is 6036, 254 pounds. He ran a 4.72 forty, had 19 reps on the bench, and showed solid athleticism. Hooper should go much higher and it is unlikely he is on the board, but it would take him being a slider for the Steelers to pull the trigger after bringing in a high priced free agent tight end. Hooper is a willing blocker and does a solid job as an inline tight end or split out. He has decent straight line speed but is not a guy that is going to get a great deal of separation. He is not an elite route runner and doesn’t have burst out of his routes. He has solid hands and can find holes in zones to move the chains, but is just in the mold of Steeler tight ends, average athleticism, willing blocker, can make chain moving catches.
Harlan Miller, CB, Southeastern Louisiana-Miller is 5117, 182 pounds. Miller is a guy that a lot of draftniks have rated much higher. I am not as thrilled with his film. He is a marginal athlete for the position. He ran a 4.65 forty at the combine and trimmed that time to 4.57 at his pro day. His 4.42 short shuttle is worse than a lot of linebackers and screams stiffness. His other workout numbers were pretty pedestrian. On film, he is a guy that wants to get in the face of receivers and be physical, but he has a poor jam and just flicks his hands out. He does not redirect guys well and can lose them into the route. In off coverage, he is not a guy that closes and tackles consistently enough and will allow too many receptions. He does not show enough ball skills for me and is just a raw prospect. I can see him sliding. He does offer some return promise, but not enough to push him up draft boards.
Jayron Kearse, SS, Clemson-Kearse is 6040, 216 pounds. He ran a 4.62 forty at the combine but did not participate in some activities due to a groin injury. Kearse is not as aggressive as Green. He also does not possess Green’s athleticism. He will come up and support the run, but he tends to spend most of his time in deep coverage and can disappear from games at times. He shows some ball skills and has some ability in coverage, but really never jumps off the film as often as he should. He just leaves a lot to be desired and appears to be something of a project. He is a difficult player to grade and while I want to like him, I would not touch him above the 4th round and could see him slide later.
Ryan Smith, CB, North Carolina Central-Smith is 5110, 189 pounds. He ran a 4.47 forty with a 4.09 short shuttle. He has solid workout numbers across the board. There is not a lot of film on Smith, but he reminds me of a raw Ike Taylor with hands. I know, a raw Ike Taylor who was raw coming out. He shows some ability in zone coverage and does a really solid job on underneath throws. He can struggle with the transition to deeper areas when playing off and will lose a receiver, but he does continue to work and shows the speed and ability to close the distance. He plays the ball in the air and looks more like a wide receiver than a cornerback. He has return ability. He needs a lot of work bodying the receiver and using those little skills to stay in contact down routes, but he is a 4-year starter that was very productive at his level. Players with his overall athletic ability usually go in this range.
