Continuing our draft watch series, let's take a look at senior cornerback Devin McCourty from Rutgers.
The Texans primary needs entering the 2010 draft are at running back, cornerback, interior offensive lineman, free safety and defensive tackle.
McCourty's current projection from NFL Draft Scout is late first to third round with the 'most likely' estimate being second round. From what I've been reading, that may be too low of an estimate.
While NFL Draft Scout has McCourty ranked as the #7 cornerback (with a stock rising indicator), he is Mike Mayock's #3 cornerback in the draft behind Joe Haden and Kyle Wilson. Mayock has McCourty on the first round bubble, meaning in his opinion he should be a late first or early second round pick. Kiper has him ranked as the #4 corner.
I'm thinking NFL Draft Scout has McCourty undervalued.* If McCourty runs and drills well at the combine and at Rutgers' Pro Day on March 10, he could break into the first round.
Pick 19 or 20 might be a bit high for McCourty but if the Texans decide to trade down in the 1st round, McCourty could be a late round target. Or it's still possible that he's on the board in the mid-second. His placement should firm up after the combine.
McCourty has good coverage skills, both man and zone, and isn't afraid of contact. He is also a willing special teamer and has returned kicks for touchdowns in his college career.
McCourty has a twin brother Jason that plays for the Titans. You may remember Jason from a memorable play during the Texans game at Tennessee in Week 2 last season when Jacoby Jones muffed a fair catch on a punt return on the last play of the 3rd quarter.
Jason McCourty was called for fair catch interference on a play that looked at first like it would be a killer turnover for the Texans, but was later ruled in the Texans favor.
Isn't it a natural for the Texans to draft Devin McCourty when his twin brother plays for the Titans?
"An All-Big East performer who recorded 80 tackles and 10 pass breakups while also blocking three kicks and scoring on a 98-yard kickoff return, McCourty can also talk about his 3.309 grade-point average and the fact that he was a semifinalist for the academics-based Draddy Trophy last year." - Keith Sargeant, mycentraljersey.com
Devin McCourty, CB Rutgers (projection and position rank from nfldraftscout.com)
* 5-11, 186 lbs.
* DOB: August 13, 1987
* 40 time: ~ 4.47
* Projected draft round (2)
* Position rank: #7 cornerback overall*
* 2009 First Team All-Big East (coaches)
