Previewing the NFL Scouting Combine: Wide Receivers and Cornerbacks
Having previously mentioned the evolution of the different positions on the field due to the style of play in the NFL recently transforming to it's present day form, possibly no other position has been affected more than the wide receiver on offense and cornerback position on the defensive side of the ball. As running backs and linebackers have been tasked to be more skilled in recent years, the personnel and preference of today's NFL definitely has suited the wide receiver position as much as any spot on the field. With approximately two thirds of plays ran in the NFL featuring at least three wide receivers, the cornerback position has had to counter with more quality depth at the position than ever before. This is best illustrated as 43 cornerbacks account for a NFL Scouting Combine record high 70 defensive backs in total.
Lengthy cornerbacks with long reach that have been highly coveted in recent years, as many defenses utilized press coverage which is often dictated by taller players (ideally 6 feet and over), are still in demand, but a premium has since been placed at the position on the guys that can make quick transitions and break smoothly to cover the speedy more shiftier slot receivers that exist today. Slot type receivers who were more specialists in the game even as recent as five to seven years ago, have since become essentially full-time starters in most offenses around the league, to a degree, largely taking over the fullback position which has been greatly reduced in its use a part of more modern offensive schemes. Slot receiver types Tavon Austin, Brandin Cooks, Phillip Dorsett, Will Fuller IV, and John Ross III, all selected in each of the last five first rounds of the NFL Draft, would likely not have benefited from such fortune in years past despite their elite straight line speed and playmaking ability in the open field.
This year's cornerbacks participating in the NFL Scouting Combine represent the variety of player at the position that are necessary to combat the multiple type of receivers that represent the present and future of the game who will soon influx the league. Two prospects from Alabama stand out amongst the group of wide receivers and cornerbacks invited to this year's combine, as Calvin Ridley and Minkah Fitzpatrick are considered the consensus top overall player at their position. Both players are highly valued in part due to their ability to effectively perform while playing various spots on their specific side of the ball. Throughout his college career, Fitzpatrick played as a traditional cornerback on the perimeter, as well as excelling in the slot as a nickel, where he often lined up this season, while also having played safety. Ridley was just as versatile in moving around the Crimson Tide offense, lining up split out wide, flanked to the same side as the tight end, and operating from the slot, while also being put in motion to gain favorable matchups.
With each player having shown enough skill to this point to be considered the top draft prospect at their position and having few questions about their athletic ability that will be on display amongst all the prospects at the combine, I've decided to omit their names from the following lists of players who I recommend to keep track of as it relates to the combine. Of the names of the prospects I will include are those who I believe stand a solid chance of projecting their draft stock upwards with their performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. Strength and agility testing, combined with position specific drills and personal interviews with team personnel each have their own way of factoring into the evaluation of specific players by the 32 organizations around the league and are an essential tool in determining the draft selection of a prospect. These are some of the prospects at the wide receiver and cornerback position whose time in Indianapolis can have a large impact on their personal draft stock and how the draft as a whole unfolds.
Lengthy cornerbacks with long reach that have been highly coveted in recent years, as many defenses utilized press coverage which is often dictated by taller players (ideally 6 feet and over), are still in demand, but a premium has since been placed at the position on the guys that can make quick transitions and break smoothly to cover the speedy more shiftier slot receivers that exist today. Slot type receivers who were more specialists in the game even as recent as five to seven years ago, have since become essentially full-time starters in most offenses around the league, to a degree, largely taking over the fullback position which has been greatly reduced in its use a part of more modern offensive schemes. Slot receiver types Tavon Austin, Brandin Cooks, Phillip Dorsett, Will Fuller IV, and John Ross III, all selected in each of the last five first rounds of the NFL Draft, would likely not have benefited from such fortune in years past despite their elite straight line speed and playmaking ability in the open field.
This year's cornerbacks participating in the NFL Scouting Combine represent the variety of player at the position that are necessary to combat the multiple type of receivers that represent the present and future of the game who will soon influx the league. Two prospects from Alabama stand out amongst the group of wide receivers and cornerbacks invited to this year's combine, as Calvin Ridley and Minkah Fitzpatrick are considered the consensus top overall player at their position. Both players are highly valued in part due to their ability to effectively perform while playing various spots on their specific side of the ball. Throughout his college career, Fitzpatrick played as a traditional cornerback on the perimeter, as well as excelling in the slot as a nickel, where he often lined up this season, while also having played safety. Ridley was just as versatile in moving around the Crimson Tide offense, lining up split out wide, flanked to the same side as the tight end, and operating from the slot, while also being put in motion to gain favorable matchups.
With each player having shown enough skill to this point to be considered the top draft prospect at their position and having few questions about their athletic ability that will be on display amongst all the prospects at the combine, I've decided to omit their names from the following lists of players who I recommend to keep track of as it relates to the combine. Of the names of the prospects I will include are those who I believe stand a solid chance of projecting their draft stock upwards with their performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. Strength and agility testing, combined with position specific drills and personal interviews with team personnel each have their own way of factoring into the evaluation of specific players by the 32 organizations around the league and are an essential tool in determining the draft selection of a prospect. These are some of the prospects at the wide receiver and cornerback position whose time in Indianapolis can have a large impact on their personal draft stock and how the draft as a whole unfolds.
Wide Receivers
- Marcell Ateman, Oklahoma State
- DJ Chark, LSU (Lousiana State)
- Michael Gallup, Colorado State
- Anthony Miller, Memphis
- DJ Moore, Maryland
- Dante Pettis, Washington
- Equanimeous St. Brown, Notre Dame
- Courtland Sutton, SMU (Southern Methodist)
- Auden Tate, Florida State
- James Washington, Oklahoma State
Cornerbacks
- Jaire Alexander, Louisville
- Anthony Averett, Alabama
- Brandon Facyson, Virginia Tech
- Holton Hill, Texas
- Mike Hughes, UCF (Central Florida)
- Donte Jackson, LSU (Louisiana State)
- Michael Joseph, Dubuque
- Tavarus McFadden, Florida State
- DJ Reed, Kansas State
- Isaac Yiadom, Boston College
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