Archive for March 4, 2011
NFL Combine – Defensive Backs
The defensive backs eligible for the 2011 NFL Draft might be the weakest group among all the positions. At CB there is no doubt that Patrick Peterson is the top player and should be drafted in the top 3. As for the safety, there are no first round graded players and the top player, Rahim Moore, certainly is not perfect. Nevertheless, here are some of the participants that left an impression on me and others.
- Brandon Harris: The top performer during the drills portion of the workout. Lowest of all during backpedal. I’m probably going to jump him over Jimmy Smith who was rather disappointing.
- Curtis Brown: Looked great running the forty and smooth in the man-turn drills. At first thought he looked too slim, but was the guy who surprised me to the most (4.50 40).
- Rahim Moore: Definitely the top safety working out, displayed good speed and fundamentals. Has always demonstrated great range while playing but certainly needs to bulk up and improve tackling. His 4.62 40 was the best among safeties.
- Aaron Williams: Appears to be more suited to played safety than cornerback, just looking at him…let alone the workout.
- Patrick Peterson: What’s not to love about this guy? Since day one, he has done everything asked. I think he’ll end up with a career similar to Rod Woodson, where he starts at CB for a few years and then moves to safety. Although he weighed in at 219, he was very lean (4.43 40)
- Shiloh Keo: Mayock’s sleeper of the bunch showed great instincts, hustle, and intangibles that every team should want.
- Buster Skrine: Doubles as CB and PR, has great speed and I really like his potential. Definitely made himself some money.
- Kendrick Burney: Disappointed day for the former UNC player who ran in the 4.7 range but did show off nice hands.
- Chimdi Chekwi: Incredible speed in the 40 yard dash running a 4.33 but showed how raw of a prospect he is during the positional drills (very tight hips, took extra steps).
- Prince Amukamara: Ran a good forty and showed good strength, athleticism. Struggled a little with fluidity but that’s not news.
- Chris Culliver: Displayed good ball skills.
- Marcus Gilchrist: One of Mike Mayock’s value picks because of his ability to play S and nickel CB. Poor ball skills.
- Will Hill: High, tight, and slow.
- Rashard Carmichael: Touted before the combine to run sub-4.3, but posted a 4.47 and didn’t perform well in the drills.
- Ahmad Black: Only ran a 4.7 but the former corner and safety at Florida has the football instincts to make it at the next level.
