jradMIT
Veteran
Texans need a true slot corner, a guy that can run with the edelmans of the world. Looking at this year's draft class here are the guys that jump out at me as guy's who can make it as a true slot corner.
Jourdan Lewis 5-10 188 Michigan
STRENGTHS: Lewis has the foot quickness and fluidity at the line of scrimmage to flip his body and stay hip-to-hip with receivers vertically. He routinely stays in phase in man coverage due to his balance and instincts as the space between him and receivers seems virtually nonexistent. Lewis also boasts quick eyes to locate the football with the aggressive ballskills to attack the catch point, appearing to want the ball more than receivers. He also returns kicks and has abnormally long arms 31 inches for his size.
WEAKNESSES: Although he is a better than expected run defender given his size, Lewis doesn't have the body or power potential ideal for off-coverage. His preference to play tight coverage is what makes him so effective, but it is also what gets him in trouble due to his tendency to grab as he attempts to gain leverage and impede receivers. Lewis has the quickness to recover if receivers push off, but facing bigger NFL receivers will be a much different task.
Cameron Sutton Tennessee 5-11 185
STRENGTHS: Sutton is a confident, fluid athlete at his best in man coverage. He throws up a hand into the face of receivers when in press, showing the strength with his initial jam to hinder receivers off the line, as well as the loose hips to turn and run with them.
Sutton's experience shows in his route anticipation. He changes direction easily and locates the football quickly, showing excellent hand-eye coordination to rip at the ball when it arrives. Sutton offers terrific initial quickness, helping him break on underneath routes and slip past would-be tacklers when he gets the ball in his hands.
Sutton's ballskills are evident in his comfort as a returner, where he shows the soft hands to pluck outside of his frame as well as the savvy to wrap both arms around the ball while in traffic. Demonstrates the second gear and composure with the ball in the air that scouts are looking for.
While scouts would like to see Sutton bring more physicality, the light feet, awareness and soft hands necessary to be a force in coverage are all there. Further, his leadership and work ethic have been lauded by Tennessee's coaches, including by new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop.
In 2015, Sutton asked to switch jersey numbers (swapping No. 23 for No. 7) to honor popular teammate Rashaan Gaulden, who suffered a fractured foot in fall camp and missed the entire season. With Gauden back healthy, Sutton has switched back to No. 23 for the 2016 season.
WEAKNESSES: One of the primary knocks on Sutton is that he lacks ideal size at a shade over 5-11 and 186 pounds with relatively thin limbs. Susceptible to losing receivers on double-moves, but does show good recovery speed.
Sutton's body control and awareness help him overcome his frame while in coverage, but too often he seems content with letting teammates do the dirty work in run support.
Sutton is more finesse than force as a tackler, typically wrapping up ballcarriers and dragging them to the ground. He'll occasionally duck his head and lead with his shoulder, however, resulting in getting dragged himself, and some powerful runners breaking his tackles completely.
Medical checks will be important following a fractured ankle suffered on Sept. 17, 2016.
Adoree Jackson 5-11 185 USC
STRENGTHS: The NFL will no doubt be intrigued by Jackson's versatility and pure athleticism. He should be able to make an immediate impact as a returner at the next level and perhaps earn action as a receiver, as well. Jackson's top attribute, of course, is his explosiveness. While lacking preferred size, Jackson sports a compact, athletic frame with good overall weight distribution. He has very light feet and flexible joints, which help him change directions fluidly and accelerate in a flash. Jackson is willing to take chances in coverage, showing improved route anticipation in 2016. His burst back to the ball on underneath routes forces quarterbacks to think twice about challenging him and he possesses rare recovery speed to make up for mistakes, as well as legitimate ballskills with the body control and soft hands to make difficult receptions. Though best known for his athleticism, Jackson is not simply a track star in shoulder pads, showing improved aggression and physicality as a tackler in 2016. Jackson's agility and speed make him an obvious threat to score whenever he has the ball in his hands but his vision and ability to read blocks also stand out. Jackson shows no hesitancy in running through traffic, weaving through the masses at breakneck speed and pulling away once in the open.
WEAKNESSES: Jackson has work to do as a cornerback prospect. Due to his soft hands and return ability, Jackson is a legitimate threat on defense but not an unbeatable one. Jackson struggled when matched up with fellow speedsters John Ross from Washington in 2016 and Will Fuller from Notre Dame (now with the Houston Texans) in 2015, frequently biting on underneath routes and being beaten over the top. Jackson possesses the agility and speed to handle off-man coverage but too often he plays the receiver and not the ball, failing to look back for it at the catch point. His lack of ideal size shows up most in run support, where Jackson needs to show greater intensity and consistency in fighting through blocks to be more of a factor, though he did improve in this area in 2016. He is a generally reliable open-field tackler (even flashing some physicality and quick hands to knock the ball out), but is more than willing to let teammates do the dirty work. Jackson suffered an ankle injury that knocked him out of the Rose Bowl victory over Penn State which will require a close check by team doctors at the Combine.
DAMONTAE KAZEE 5-10 185 San Diego (Like him the most seems like the most natural fit)
STRENGTHS: Sports a compact, athletic build showing the light feet, balance and loose hips to easily change direction. Confident in press man coverage, showing a low, tight backpedal and smooth turning motion. Good route anticipation and understands angles, keep his frame between the receiver and the quarterback.
Peeks back toward the quarterback and isn't afraid to drop his primary coverage duties to break quickly back to the ball, showing impressive field vision.
Tracks the ball well, exhibiting the body control and concentration to make difficult over-the-shoulder grabs. Excellent hand-eye coordination to punch at the ball (six forced fumbles over his career) and showed exciting development as an interceptor in 2015, turning eight of his career-high 15 passes breakups into interceptions after recording just one in 13 opportunities in 2014.
Competitive open-field tackler, who aggressively slithers his way past would-be blockers to get into the action. Not an imposing hitter but is a sure tackler who wraps his arms for the secure stop.
WEAKNESSES: A classic gambler who can be fooled with double-moves and savvy quarterbacks looking the other way. Lacks the swift acceleration to recover if caught flat-footed and may struggle to keep up with NFL receivers on longer routes. More pesky than powerful as a tackler and comes with obvious size limitations.
Jourdan Lewis 5-10 188 Michigan
STRENGTHS: Lewis has the foot quickness and fluidity at the line of scrimmage to flip his body and stay hip-to-hip with receivers vertically. He routinely stays in phase in man coverage due to his balance and instincts as the space between him and receivers seems virtually nonexistent. Lewis also boasts quick eyes to locate the football with the aggressive ballskills to attack the catch point, appearing to want the ball more than receivers. He also returns kicks and has abnormally long arms 31 inches for his size.
WEAKNESSES: Although he is a better than expected run defender given his size, Lewis doesn't have the body or power potential ideal for off-coverage. His preference to play tight coverage is what makes him so effective, but it is also what gets him in trouble due to his tendency to grab as he attempts to gain leverage and impede receivers. Lewis has the quickness to recover if receivers push off, but facing bigger NFL receivers will be a much different task.
Cameron Sutton Tennessee 5-11 185
STRENGTHS: Sutton is a confident, fluid athlete at his best in man coverage. He throws up a hand into the face of receivers when in press, showing the strength with his initial jam to hinder receivers off the line, as well as the loose hips to turn and run with them.
Sutton's experience shows in his route anticipation. He changes direction easily and locates the football quickly, showing excellent hand-eye coordination to rip at the ball when it arrives. Sutton offers terrific initial quickness, helping him break on underneath routes and slip past would-be tacklers when he gets the ball in his hands.
Sutton's ballskills are evident in his comfort as a returner, where he shows the soft hands to pluck outside of his frame as well as the savvy to wrap both arms around the ball while in traffic. Demonstrates the second gear and composure with the ball in the air that scouts are looking for.
While scouts would like to see Sutton bring more physicality, the light feet, awareness and soft hands necessary to be a force in coverage are all there. Further, his leadership and work ethic have been lauded by Tennessee's coaches, including by new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop.
In 2015, Sutton asked to switch jersey numbers (swapping No. 23 for No. 7) to honor popular teammate Rashaan Gaulden, who suffered a fractured foot in fall camp and missed the entire season. With Gauden back healthy, Sutton has switched back to No. 23 for the 2016 season.
WEAKNESSES: One of the primary knocks on Sutton is that he lacks ideal size at a shade over 5-11 and 186 pounds with relatively thin limbs. Susceptible to losing receivers on double-moves, but does show good recovery speed.
Sutton's body control and awareness help him overcome his frame while in coverage, but too often he seems content with letting teammates do the dirty work in run support.
Sutton is more finesse than force as a tackler, typically wrapping up ballcarriers and dragging them to the ground. He'll occasionally duck his head and lead with his shoulder, however, resulting in getting dragged himself, and some powerful runners breaking his tackles completely.
Medical checks will be important following a fractured ankle suffered on Sept. 17, 2016.
Adoree Jackson 5-11 185 USC
STRENGTHS: The NFL will no doubt be intrigued by Jackson's versatility and pure athleticism. He should be able to make an immediate impact as a returner at the next level and perhaps earn action as a receiver, as well. Jackson's top attribute, of course, is his explosiveness. While lacking preferred size, Jackson sports a compact, athletic frame with good overall weight distribution. He has very light feet and flexible joints, which help him change directions fluidly and accelerate in a flash. Jackson is willing to take chances in coverage, showing improved route anticipation in 2016. His burst back to the ball on underneath routes forces quarterbacks to think twice about challenging him and he possesses rare recovery speed to make up for mistakes, as well as legitimate ballskills with the body control and soft hands to make difficult receptions. Though best known for his athleticism, Jackson is not simply a track star in shoulder pads, showing improved aggression and physicality as a tackler in 2016. Jackson's agility and speed make him an obvious threat to score whenever he has the ball in his hands but his vision and ability to read blocks also stand out. Jackson shows no hesitancy in running through traffic, weaving through the masses at breakneck speed and pulling away once in the open.
WEAKNESSES: Jackson has work to do as a cornerback prospect. Due to his soft hands and return ability, Jackson is a legitimate threat on defense but not an unbeatable one. Jackson struggled when matched up with fellow speedsters John Ross from Washington in 2016 and Will Fuller from Notre Dame (now with the Houston Texans) in 2015, frequently biting on underneath routes and being beaten over the top. Jackson possesses the agility and speed to handle off-man coverage but too often he plays the receiver and not the ball, failing to look back for it at the catch point. His lack of ideal size shows up most in run support, where Jackson needs to show greater intensity and consistency in fighting through blocks to be more of a factor, though he did improve in this area in 2016. He is a generally reliable open-field tackler (even flashing some physicality and quick hands to knock the ball out), but is more than willing to let teammates do the dirty work. Jackson suffered an ankle injury that knocked him out of the Rose Bowl victory over Penn State which will require a close check by team doctors at the Combine.
DAMONTAE KAZEE 5-10 185 San Diego (Like him the most seems like the most natural fit)
STRENGTHS: Sports a compact, athletic build showing the light feet, balance and loose hips to easily change direction. Confident in press man coverage, showing a low, tight backpedal and smooth turning motion. Good route anticipation and understands angles, keep his frame between the receiver and the quarterback.
Peeks back toward the quarterback and isn't afraid to drop his primary coverage duties to break quickly back to the ball, showing impressive field vision.
Tracks the ball well, exhibiting the body control and concentration to make difficult over-the-shoulder grabs. Excellent hand-eye coordination to punch at the ball (six forced fumbles over his career) and showed exciting development as an interceptor in 2015, turning eight of his career-high 15 passes breakups into interceptions after recording just one in 13 opportunities in 2014.
Competitive open-field tackler, who aggressively slithers his way past would-be blockers to get into the action. Not an imposing hitter but is a sure tackler who wraps his arms for the secure stop.
WEAKNESSES: A classic gambler who can be fooled with double-moves and savvy quarterbacks looking the other way. Lacks the swift acceleration to recover if caught flat-footed and may struggle to keep up with NFL receivers on longer routes. More pesky than powerful as a tackler and comes with obvious size limitations.
