Scouting the secondary

[WaterfallJumper]

Great series of breakdowns from Patricia about how he coaches defensive backs. Must watch. Although this is specific to coaching, I think it's extremely valuable for scouting corners and safeties.

VIDEO: Watch Matt Patricia coach DB skills at Notre Dame coaching clinic

Who are the favorites at corner and safety this year? Anyone stand out as a potential fit for the star position? Let's dig in.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

I've loved Jaire A & D Ward for a while. Rn their probably be #1/2

Alexander has very nice footwork that helps him stick to the hip of his man. Very good turn into transition. Will use hands & at times doesn't bother ala Peters & Jenkins.

Can be physical as well
Has short area quicks & looks to have 4.4 speed. So he can hang w guys short, deep etc


You can tell he studies bc he sits on comebacks, slants & sticks. Def takes pride in being a ball hawk, game changer.
++Ball Skills/Return man

Injury concerns might drop him a bit but he absolutely has #1 type talent.

 

[cstjohn17]

For me as a total amateur McCourty has had a rough year, he was never much of a playmaker but added a lot of value with his steady play. This year he has been a step of two slow on most reads and looks like he is near the end. Maybe Harmon is the air apparent but a developmental prospect in the draft would make sense.

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

I've loved Jaire A & D Ward for a while. Rn their probably be #1/2

Alexander has very nice footwork that helps him stick to the hip of his man. Very good turn into transition. Will use hands & at times doesn't bother ala Peters & Jenkins.

Can be physical as well
Has short area quicks & looks to have 4.4 speed. So he can hang w guys short, deep etc


You can tell he studies bc he sits on comebacks, slants & sticks. Def takes pride in being a ball hawk, game changer.
++Ball Skills/Return man

Injury concerns might drop him a bit but he absolutely has #1 type talent.

Have you seen the two LSU corners Jackson and Toliver II? Your thoughts on them.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Have you seen the two LSU corners Jackson and Toliver II? Your thoughts on them.

Haven't broke an down yet but I'll say Jackson is getting a ton love even though he has to work tech & discipline. Obvious speed so you'd think hed be able to run with guys like Jackson, Cooks etc.

Currently doing background on Mike Hughes.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Harrison is the stud safety for Alabama. I think he leads their team in tackles. He is a borderline 1st rounder depending on how he runs.

I like the CB from Louisville, Alexander, depending on how he runs, he could be a nice find for us at 64.

I think a lot of people are getting on the CB from colorado’s hype Bus, I think his name is Oliver.

I plan on watching film on a db from Iowa state that some people consider a stud sleeper.

 

[Gabriel_p94]

Im starting to watch some tape of secondary players. One guy who could realistically be available when we pick is ronnie harrison. Hes no slouch in coverage and isnt afraid to tackle when he has too. I think he can step in well when Chung starts to slow down.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Mike Hughes (& MJ Stewart ) were both arrested while at UNC in 2015 for a fight at a frat. Stupid mistake and apparently both have made strides in maturity. Who knows.

One thing is clear Hughes will be playing on Sundays.

Fast, with quick feet.

Can turn his hips. Agile.

Playmaker with the ball in his hands. Played HB, QB, WR while j.u.c.o. at Garden

Very nice route recognition and does a good job of preventing separation bc he knows which route is coming.

Very Willing tackler

+ instincts & ball skills

 

[JerseyShore99]

DBs I like: Fitzpatrick, James, Nelson, Dawson, Maddox, Fields

 

[JerseyShore99]

DBs I like: Fitzpatrick, James, Nelson, Dawson, Maddox, Fields

Obviously Fitzpatrick and James are high first round talents but Nelson reminds me of Logan Ryan coming out (Day 2 prospect), Dawson is a CB but I prefer him at S in the NFL (Day 2 prospect) and Maddox and Fields are too late round CBs I like

 

[jr_3421]

I like what I see from Isaiah Oliver (Colorado). Has good ball skills, not a minus in run support and seems to have long arms.

 

[maineman209]

For me as a total amateur McCourty has had a rough year, he was never much of a playmaker but added a lot of value with his steady play. This year he has been a step of two slow on most reads and looks like he is near the end. Maybe Harmon is the air apparent but a developmental prospect in the draft would make sense.

Yeah, I'm not at all sure about the "slowing down" or "near the end" stuff.

It seems to me that McCourty's role was significantly altered this season - playing closer to the line and in man coverage more often - while Harmon played more deep safety than in the past. Harmon's snap count took a significant leap this season, from about 50% as a nickel safety to 67% in a closer to full-time role.

All of this seems to me likely due to the LB situation (lack thereof), at least in part. It may also be due in part to a bit of a change in defensive approach this season, although we saw some of this type of "different" configuration last season, too. Difficult to say at this point whether it's a profound, lasting change in philosophy or not.

Anyway, McCourty led the team in total tackles with 94 - about 20 above his seasonal average. Chung was 2nd on the team in tackles, Van Noy 3rd.

McCourty and Chung both turn 31 during 2018 Camp, about a week apart, IIRC. So, yeah, I agree that Safety - perhaps especially strong safety - might be a priority consideration, along with LB. And the intersection of those SS/LB roles is kind of the "star" role to me, anyway.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Christian Campbell, PSU, is really growing on me. He's disruptive at the catch point, even when beaten on a play, and that means a lot to me for a corner. He'll also come up and hit. Once I finish tape review, he'll probably break into my positional top 5. Very intrigued by his potential. I believe he's participating in the senior bowl, so keep an eye on his performance.

As for the star role that @maineman209 mentioned, I'm locked in on Kyzir White. He's got the size to play off the ball LB, but the speed and fluidity to cover receivers on occasion. He lines up all over the place at West Virginia: corner, SS, FS, LB, etc. I love his tackling form -- he sees what he hits, and he stops momentum immediately. He had a more productive year than Derwin James across the board (more interceptions and passed defended, but also more tackles, sacks, and TFL, so he plays the entire field), even though James may be the better player overall.

My hot take? They're much, much closer as prospects than people realize, but White will be available later in the draft despite possessing plus athleticism. James is simply off the charts, so he's highly regarded. In the right system, though, White can be an even better Chung.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Christian Campbell, PSU, is really growing on me. He's disruptive at the catch point, even when beaten on a play, and that means a lot to me for a corner. He'll also come up and hit. Once I finish tape review, he'll probably break into my positional top 5. Very intrigued by his potential. I believe he's participating in the senior bowl, so keep an eye on his performance.

As for the star role that @maineman209 mentioned, I'm locked in on Kyzir White. He's got the size to play off the ball LB, but the speed and fluidity to cover receivers on occasion. He lines up all over the place at West Virginia: corner, SS, FS, LB, etc. I love his tackling form -- he sees what he hits, and he stops momentum immediately. He had a more productive year than Derwin James across the board (more interceptions and passed defended, but also more tackles, sacks, and TFL, so he plays the entire field), even though James may be the better player overall.

My hot take? They're much, much closer as prospects than people realize, but White will be available later in the draft despite possessing plus athleticism. James is simply off the charts, so he's highly regarded. In the right system, though, White can be an even better Chung.

I like White too. Lik you said very efficient in his movements going after the ball.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Realistic big nickle options in the 2nd round? We'll miss out on James and Fitzpatrick but somebody should make a name for themselves in Indy. Anyone 6'1+, 215+ running sub 4.6 will catch my eye

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Realistic big nickle options in the 2nd round? We'll miss out on James and Fitzpatrick but somebody should make a name for themselves in Indy. Anyone 6'1+, 215+ running sub 4.6 will catch my eye

As I mentioned above, I like Kyzir White. I'm also a fan of Oren Burks, who already plays star in college. He would be easy to translate into our defense.

For example, here's a play that I wanted to highlight from the game against Alabama. Burks does a nice job picking up the wheel route from a more traditional linebacker alignment. He's very comfortable in coverage. I can post more later, but it takes me a while to sift through the games and cut gifs. Tight on time at the moment.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Thank you. I can't think of another route that we've had so much trouble defending over the last 3 years. Its good for at least one chunk play a game if you have a competent playcaller.

 

[Kontradiction]

Yeah, I'm not at all sure about the "slowing down" or "near the end" stuff.

It seems to me that McCourty's role was significantly altered this season - playing closer to the line and in man coverage more often - while Harmon played more deep safety than in the past. Harmon's snap count took a significant leap this season, from about 50% as a nickel safety to 67% in a closer to full-time role.

All of this seems to me likely due to the LB situation (lack thereof), at least in part. It may also be due in part to a bit of a change in defensive approach this season, although we saw some of this type of "different" configuration last season, too. Difficult to say at this point whether it's a profound, lasting change in philosophy or not.

Anyway, McCourty led the team in total tackles with 94 - about 20 above his seasonal average. Chung was 2nd on the team in tackles, Van Noy 3rd.

McCourty and Chung both turn 31 during 2018 Camp, about a week apart, IIRC. So, yeah, I agree that Safety - perhaps especially strong safety - might be a priority consideration, along with LB. And the intersection of those SS/LB roles is kind of the "star" role to me, anyway.

That highlights the need for significant improvements up front. McCourty leading the team in tackles is not a good thing. His talents are somewhat wasted playing closer to the LoS out of necessity.