Ransom Hawthorne

CB’s Lazy Big Board: CB

Ransom Hawthorne April 9, 2018 No Comments

Cornerback is the thinnest spot on the Kansas City Chiefs roster, long term. Two of their three, assumed starters, are in contract years. They don‘t really have much in the way of proven depth either. If the Chiefs want to draft three CBs this year, that’s fine with me, provided it works out better than the last time they did that. While outside CB prospects are limited, in the draft, there should be a lot of quality slot options available.

Pick 54 CB — Mike Hughes — 5′ 10” 189

 

 

Ball hawking press CB, with great hands and ball tracking skills. Small, but very physical. Plays hard and makes life uncomfortable for WRs. Shorter than ideal and still needs some polishing, but should be able to play early in his career and only get better. Ability as a punt and kick returner speaks to his special athleticism.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.50

20

35.5”

127”

6.70

4.13

 

 

 

 

Pick 78 — Quenton Meeks — 6′2” 205lbs

 

 

Meeks is underrated by some, but he’s a perfect fit for Chiefs’ scheme. Big CB with press man ability and refined technique. Lacks top end speed, but is very fluid. Known to be coach-able, with a good football IQ. While Meeks won’t be a great fit in certain coverage schemes, he can be a great press CB and start early in his career. If the Chiefs found other options they like at CB, Meeks is also suited to play FS.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

None

11

39”

128”

6.72

4.23

 

 

 

 

 

Pick 86 CB — Donte Jackson — 5’11” 175lbs

 

 

Elite athlete, with blazing speed and fluid movement skills. Size is very small and instincts are not developed. Got by in college on his raw talent, but will have to refine his technique for the NFL. Lack of size will limit his ability in run support and could have him giving up some contested throws in tight windows, more often than you would like. Potential is there to be great, but the Chiefs coaches would have to believe that Jackson will be attentive to coaching and work diligently to improve his instincts. His special speed will cover up a lot of holes in his game thought.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.32

7

None

124”

None

None

 

 

Pick 122 CB — JC Jackson — 5‘10” 201lbs

 

 

Physical CB who should be a fit, from a scheme standpoint. More active, than most CBs, in run support. Has adequate long speed, though he seems to play a little slower than he was timed. Technique is still a bit of a mess. May take some time before you trust him without a safety over the top. Jackson is young, so he should get better. His physicality lends itself well to Chiefs’ press-man scheme.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.46

14

35.5”

120”

None

None

Pick 124 — DJ Reed — 5′9” 188lbs

 

 

Kick and Punt returner who gives 100% on every snap. Feisty CB who plays bigger than his size. Character on and off the field is fantastic. Coverage skills are quality. Nickel only CB, who will struggle against taller players, but is otherwise a quality starter. Tackles really well for a guy his size.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.51

11

36.5”

None

None

None

 

 

 

Pick 196 CB — Parry Nickerson — 6 ‘ 180lbs

 

 

Blazing fast speed. Great ball skills and instincts. Rail thin. Will struggle as a tackler in the NFL. Best fit is at Nickel CB, but will offer very little in the way of run support. Nickerson has the type of skills and speed that gets guys drafted in the first round, but his lack of size could lead to him going undrafted. Nickerson is a good guy who plays hard though, and the Chiefs should take a chance on him earlier than that.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.32

15

None”

None

None

None

 

 

 

Pick 233 CB — Siran Neal — 6′ 199lbs

 

 

Tough player who shifted from LB to CB his senior year. As such, his technique is still a work in progress. Could wind up at safety, as his fluidity is borderline, but his size and physicality make him a potential fit for a press man scheme. While his top speed is just average, he’s very explosive, and, with a little work, should be able to stay with WRs pretty well.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.56

18

40.5”

122”

7.00

4.28

 

 

 

Pick 243 CB — Darius Phillips — 5’10” 190lbs

 

 

Ball hawking nickel CB with size limitations. Good fit for a man defense, but will be a liability against the run. Will likely have a career as a backup or average nickel, but his ability to generate turnovers helps make up, at least in part for his lack of size.

 

 

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.54

None

None”

None

None

None

 

 

 

 

The Kansas City Chiefs don’t have a ton of depth at nickel CB, so they should definitely find one in this draft. Finding an outside starter may be tougher, and K.C. will need to invest one of their higher picks, if that position is a priority for them. Kendall Fuller will be an excellent CB, but with David Amerson and Steven Nelson both set to hit free agency next year, GM Brett Veach will have to hit on at least one CB in this draft, or wind up spending big in FA next year.

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