NFL Draft 2014 Preview (59 page)

Strengths:
Instinctive with good eyes, anticipation and awareness. Very athletic — tied for the quickest short shuttle among cornerbacks at the Combine (4.00 seconds), and was one of the top performers in the bench press (20 reps) and 3-cone drill (6.72 seconds).. Transitions easily with loose hips and clean footwork. Quick, agile and light on his feet. Aggressive in run support. Solid tackler. Plays with discipline. Good leaping ability. Has a special-teams temperament and excels as a gunner. Extremely intelligent and football smart. Outstanding intangibles, including leadership traits. Durable and experienced.

Weaknesses:
Thinly built and lacks ideal strength. Can be knocked back in a pile and could stand to strike with more pop and explosion. Recovery speed is only average.

Future:
Athletic, sticky coverman whose position-specific traits and consistent performance inspire confidence he has what it takes to contribute readily in the pros. Has starter-caliber physical ability, a natural feel for the game and sterling intangibles. Underrated, low-risk prospect.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He is probably going to rise from what I have seen so far. He is just not very strong. He’s a good athlete with good feet. I liked him. Size is what’s going to hurt him. He’s got an average body. I stamped a pretty big grade on him.”

LCB MARCUS ROBERSON, #5 (JUNIOR)

FLORIDA
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Grade: 5.40

Ht: 6-0 1/4 | Wt: 191 | Sp: 4.61 | Arm: 31 | Hand: 9 1/4

History:
Was rated as one of the top cornerback prospects in the country as a Ft. Lauderdale prep, helping lead his St. Thomas Aquinas squad to a state championship and the No. 3 national ranking. Enrolled at Florida in 2011 and immediately moved into the lineup at cornerback, starting 10 games and recording 22 tackles, two pass breakups and one interception with one-half tackle for loss. In September, he was arrested by university police for underage drinking. Suffered a season-ending neck injury in November against South Carolina, which required surgery. Missed most of spring practice in ’12 because of the injury, but returned to the field in the fall and played in all 13 games (four starts) — tallying 23-12-2 with one tackle for loss, one sack and one forced fumble. Also returned two punts for 81 yards (40.5-yard average). Battled injuries in ’13, seeing action in just seven games (four starts) and recording 11-3-0. Went 14-129-0 (9.2) on punt returns and 1-16-0 returning kickoffs. Strained the PCL in his left knee in the season’s second game, forcing him to the sidelines for the next three contests. Aggravated the injury in his third game back, forcing him back off the field. In addition, he was suspended for the South Carolina game for an unspecified violation of team rules. Made it back for the season finale, seeing limited action against Florida State.

Strengths:
Very good size and body length. Transitions efficiently and shows nice plant-and-drive quickness. Flashes ball skills to break up plays. Has punt-return experience — can elude the first tackler and gain what’s blocked.

Weaknesses:
Needs to bulk up and get functionally stronger (managed just eight benchpress reps at the Combine). Struggles with bigger, stronger receivers. Lacks elite top-end speed to keep pace with burners. Anticipation and route recognition are lacking. Susceptible to double moves. Tends to clutch and grab when he’s beat. Inconsistent ball reactions. Poor tackler. Recorded just 34 tackles the last two seasons. Relatively inexperienced. Durability has been an issue.

Future:
Lean, athletic, finesse cornerback who is best deployed in off-man or zone coverage, and has potential to develop into a No. 2 or No. 3 corner if he regains his sophomore form. However, he lacks desirable instincts and tackling ability, and did not elevate his game in 2013 when injuries, suspension and inconsistency marred his junior season.

Draft projection:
Second- to third-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He is a big, press corner with length. I think he needs to (mature). He’s got a long ways to go. But I like him a lot better than the other corner (at Florida).”

LCB BRADLEY ROBY, #1 (JUNIOR)

OHIO STATE
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Grade: 6.00

Ht: 5-11 1/4 | Wt: 194 | Sp: 4.39 | Arm: 31 1/2 | Hand: 10 1/4

History:
Played receiver and defensive back as a Georgia prep. Redshirted in 2010 before starting all 13 games at cornerback in ’11, recording 47 tackles, six pass breakups and tied for the team lead with three interceptions with 3 1/2 tackles for loss. Tied the OSU school record for pass breakups after posting 63-17-2 with two tackles for loss, one sack and a blocked kick in 11 starts in ‘12. Missed the UAB game with a shoulder injury. Was the only defensive player in the country to score three different ways — recovered a fumbled punt in the end zone vs. Miami, blocked a punt in the end zone against Indiana and a 41-yard interception return against Nebraska. Was arrested in July ’ 13 after an altercation with a bouncer in a Bloomington, Ind. bar. Was originally charged with a Class A misdemeanor battery which was lowered to Class B disorderly conduct and was ultimately dismissed after video tape evidence was discovered. Was still suspended for the ’13 season opener vs. Buffalo by coach Urban Meyer. Started 11 of 12 games played and logged 70-13-3 with two tackles for loss. Scored two touchdowns on a blocked punt against Northwestern and a 63-yard interception return vs. Illinois. Did not play in the Orange Bowl against Clemson with a bone bruise in his knee

Strengths:
Good size. Has thin ankles and large hands. Quick-twitch athlete with prototypical speed. Can mirror off the line and shadow slot receivers. Has 38 1/2-inch vertical. Terrific balance. Loose-hipped, quick-footed and agile (4.04-second 3-cone drill). Smooth transition and change of direction. Flips his hips and has ample speed to carry receivers downfield. Plants and drives in a blink. Quick-handed to play the pocket. Excellent ball production. Shows recovery speed. Physical and aggressive. Feisty, willing tackler — does not hesitate to sacrifice his body. Displays good zone awareness and has experience in off-man. Dangerous as a blitzer and kick-block rusher. Worked as a gunner.

Weaknesses:
Inconsistent performance as a junior. Can be boxed out by tall receivers and outmuscled for “50-50” balls. Could stand to improve jam strength in order to hem/re-route receivers bigger receivers. Gets wired to blocks. Durability could be an issue given his physical playing style. Could stand to iron out his pedal. Gets caught peeking — lets receivers behind him and is vulnerable to double moves. Misses some 1-on-1 tackles in space. Character should be looked into.

Future:
Urgent, confident, competitive athlete with an intriguing combination of speed, suddenness, ball skills and tackling ability. Has broad appeal given his scheme versatility, and should be able to contribute readily as nickel slot defender and special-teams contributor. Has a ceiling as a No. 2.

Draft projection:
Top-40 pick.

Scout’s take:
“He didn’t have a good year. Smaller corners typically don’t do great. He doesn’t play like Antoine Winfield.”

FS DANIEL SORENSEN, #9

BYU
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Grade: 5.05

Ht: 6-1 3/8 | Wt: 205 | Sp: 4.67 | Arm: 31 | Hand: 8 1/2

History:
Married. Four of his brothers have played college football, including Brad (QB) who was a 2013 seventh-rounder by the Chargers. Prepped in California, where was a two-way standout who also punted. As a true freshman in 2010, played in 13 contest and managed 17 tackles, zero pass breakups and one interception with 3 1/2 tackles for loss and one sack as an outside linebacker. Missed the Air Force game with bone spurs in his left ankle. Missed the ’09 and ’10 seasons while doing his LDS mission in Costa Rica. Moved to the KAT (strong) safety position on his return in ’11 and logged 61-6-2 with two tackles for loss and scored on a 30-yard interception return against Idaho State in 13 starts. In ’12posted 68-5-3 with two tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in 13 starts at KAT safety. Team leader in pass breakups in ’13 from his safety position with 65-12-2 with four tackles for loss and a blocked field goal against Utah State in 13 starts. Had a concussion against Wisconsin. Team captain.

Strengths:
Good size. Produced the best 3-cone time (6.47 seconds) of any participant at the Combine and recorded the best 20-yard shuttle (3.95) and 60-yard shuttle time (10.80) of any defensive back. Is tough and willing to sacrifice his body. Dependable tackler. Jumps routes and has functional range. Makes the secondary calls and checks and understands coverages like a coach. Passionate about the game and works at the craft — has a professional approach. Displayed very natural hands in Combine drills. Reliable special teams contributor. High school punter capable of handling punts in emergency situations.

Weaknesses:
Has small hands. Is stiff in the hips and plays a bit flat-footed. Challenged by elite speed. Is not a blow-up hitter. Does not possess the top-end speed to range to the sideline and make plays on the ball — not a true center fielder. Average career production on the ball. Poor leaper. Will be a 24-year-old rookie.

Future:
Durable, experienced overachiever with enough range to survive on the back end and enough toughness to drop into the box. Size, linear field speed and football smarts could enable him to make a living as a backup and special-teams contributor

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

Scout’s take:
“He’s more smart than instinctive. He’s not a big hitter. He’s stiff in the hips. He might get drafted late — not for us.”

FS DEZMEN SOUTHWARD, #12

WISCONSIN
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Grade: 5.39

Ht: 6-0 1/4 | Wt: 211 | Sp: 4.41 | Arm: 30 5/8 | Hand: 10

History:
His stepfather, Eli Rasheed, played football at Indiana and is currently the defensive line coach at Toledo. Didn’t start playing football until his senior year, when he started at defensive back for national champion St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida. Also lettered in basketball and track. Redshirted in 2009 before playing in all 13 games as a reserve in ’10, making eight tackles, zero passbreakups and zero interceptions. Saw action in 13 games (three starts at strong safety) in ’11 and logged 35-2-0 with two forced fumbles. Did not play against Illinois (coach’s decision). Moved into the starting lineup at free safety in ’12 and produced 69-4-1 with eight tackles for loss and one forced fumble in 14 games. Had a career-high 12 tackles in the Big Ten Championship game vs. Nebraska. Filled in on the track team in the spring of ’13 after some sprinters were injured, running the 100 meters and the 4x100 relay. Moved to strong safety for the ’13 campaign and recorded 40-5-1 with 3 1/2 tackles for loss and one forced fumble in 13 starts. Was medically excluded at the Combine because wrist and spine injuries.

Strengths:
Excellent size and large hands. Good straight-line speed. Bends his knees and pedals softly. Reacts well to plays in front of him. Played a hybrid safety role at UW, including defending slot receivers (even played CB in a pinch against BYU). Special-teams experience. Recorded a 4.38-second 40-time, a 42-inch vertical jump and 6.50-second 3-cone time at his pro day workout.

Weaknesses:
Short arms. Average flexibility and range. Still developing positional instincts and diagnostic skills. Man-coverage limitations — dull transitional quickness and closing burst. Ordinary production on the ball — not a playmaker. Does not punish or intimidate. Reliability should be looked into.

Future:
Southward, who played only one year of high school football, is a size-speed prospect still learning positional nuances. Could get his foot in the door on special teams and buy some time to develop as a reserve. Eye-popping pro day performance after being snubbed from the Combine could elevate his draft standing and invite a team to gamble on his immense upside.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He has so much upside. He’ll be a fast-riser this spring.”

FS VINNIE SUNSERI, #3 (JUNIOR)

ALABAMA
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Grade:
5.14

Ht: 5-11 1/8 | Wt: 210 | Sp: 4.55e | Arm: 30 | Hand: 10

History:
His father, Sal Sunseri, is the defensive ends coach at Florida State. As a junior linebacker, he was named the 2009 Bronco Nagurski Defensive Player of the Year in North Carolina after 107 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. Moved to Tuscaloosa for his senior season after his dad became the outside linebackers coach at Alabama. Named the 6A Defensive Player of the Year in Alabama in 2010. Enrolled in January 2011 and participated in spring practice. Played in all 13 games as a true freshman, serving as a backup safety and special teams player while making 31 tackles, one pass breakup and zero interceptions with one forced fumble. Was the Tide’s starting Dime back in ’12, making eight starts in 14 games. Logged 54-3-2 with six tackles for loss and 1 1/2 sacks. Began the ’13 season with a bang by scoring the first two touchdowns of his career on interception returns — a 38-yard return in the season opener against Virginia Tech and a 73-yard return vs. Texas A&M the following week. Started the first seven games at safety before suffering a torn ACL on the opening kickoff against Arkansas on October 19 and finishing the year with 20-4-2 with one tackle for loss. Was medically excluded from the Combine (knee).