NFL Draft 2020 - Football Film Fight Volume 2 Part 3 - Cornerbacks

Shut 'em Down

The NFL Combine ended with defensive backs closing out the event with some notable performances.   Now that the pre-draft process is somewhat complete (except for Pro Days if schools even hold them given the current health environment), it's a great time to hold the Cornerback Football Film Fight.

If you haven't seen "Part 2 - Offensive Linemen" (Seen here), check it out for details on the process.  For now, let's take a look at game footage for Mel Kiper's pre Combine Top 10 and see who comes out on top!

DNS = body mass; DNS +/- is the % above or below the average DNS for the Combine cornerback group.

Round 1:  #10 Terrell vs. #9 Johnson

Terrell Notes:

• Clemson Career 
• Had 30 starts over a 3 year career with action in 44 games. 
• Notched 20 PBU, 6 INTs with 107 career tackles and 2 FF.
• First Team ACC (2019) and Third Team ACC (2018).
• High School 
• All State (GA) as a senior.
• Five star athlete per Rivals.
• Georgia Player of the Year (coaches selection)
• Under Armour All-American game.

Viewed -  Duke 2018, Ohio State 2019 and Syracue 2019 - .Very grabby after 5 yards. Better in press than off coverage; sometimes needs to tighten up on short distance when off. Less grabby in 2019 and still provided solid coverage.

vs. 

Johnson Notes:

• Utah Career 
• 2019 All American; two-time All-Pac 12 first team (2018 & 2019).
•  Credited with 29 starts and participation in 38 career games.   
• Totals:  102 tackles, 28 PBU and 7 INTs. 
• High School 
• Four star recruit grade from Rivals and Scout.
• USA Today All-California Team (2016)
• Named to the US Army All America Bowl.
• Also 3 letters in basketball.

Viewed - Stanford 2018, USC 2019 and Oregon 2019 - First move is not backwards, its arms moving forward to grab.  Will need to focus on cutting down the contact at the next level. You'll have to get run support elsewhere.

Winner:  Terrell

Both are grabby but Terrell has more film with less holding.

Round 2:  Terrell vs. #8 Dantzler

Dantzler Notes:

• Mississippi State Career 
• Total of 22 starts over his 3 year career and 35 games (after a redshirt year).
• Career total 108 tackles, 20 PBU and 5 INTs.
• High School 
•  Dual threat QB and DB. 
• All-state (LA) senior year. 
• State long jump champ (23 ft 3.25 in).

Viewed - Alabama  2018, Southern Miss 2019 and Ole Miss  2019 - Slim frame, likely maxed out. Not grabby but didn't see a lot of balls thrown his way. He will make a tackle, though. A couple of coverages blown on his side that were not exploited. Possibly not his fault but there could be better communication.

Winner:  Terrell

Terrell is more aggressive and was more effective vs targets based on the film viewed.

Round 3: Terrell vs. #7 Gladney

Gladney Notes:

• TCU Career 
• 44 starts in 4 years (redshirted freshman year).
• Notched 146 tackles with 43 PBU and 5 INTs.  
• High School 
• Ranked CB11 in the state of Texas by Scout. 
• District MVP as a senior. 

Viewed - Iowa State 2018, Texas 2019 and Oklahoma 2019 -   

Winner:  Gladney 

Solid coverage without being grabby.  Plays bigger than his size - David vs. Goliath (check him out vs ISU's Hakeem Butler). Solid fundamentals.  A couple of blown coverages but he learned in game and made the opponent pay the next time they went to the well. 

Round 4: Gladney vs. #6 Hall

Hall Notes:  

• Virginia Career:
• Started 39 games in 4 years as a Cavalier; shortened senior year due to injury.
• Several 2018 All-American selections.
  
• 154 total tackles, 44 PBU, 5 INTs and3 Forced Fumbles.  
• High School 
• WR/DB.
• All State (PA) Selection.

Viewed - NC State 2018, Pitt 2019 and Notre Dame 2019 - Turns his back instead of pivoting hips;  that is a no-no.  WR experience aids in route recognition.  Will come up to support run.  Wanted to see better orchestration of secondary given his rep but there was often confusion in coverages.  Great catch up speed.

Winner:  Gladney 

Definitely huge upside and it would be great to see Hall surrounded by better talent but Gladney gets the nod here.  Want to see Hall after a year or two of pro level seasoning. 

Round 5:  Gladney vs. #5 Diggs

Diggs Notes:  

• Alabama Career 
• Total of 46 games played participating on offense, defense and special teams.
• Total 68 tackles, 21 PDU, 4 INT and 2 Forced Fumbles.  
• Missed half of 2018 due to injury. 
• High School 
• Recognized as WR1 receiver in the state of Maryland; ATH1 for eastern part of the country.
• Participated in Nike's "The Opening".
• Brother of Stefon Diggs.

Viewed -  Texas A&M 2018, South Carolina 2019 and Alabama 2019 - His offensive acumen helps on the defensive side of the ball.  Plays aggressive press off the line but does not get guys off their routes and has limited success; not sure if it's strength or failure to understand the concept but that can be improved at the next level. Has to look when the receiver looks...tends to get his head around late at times and missed a few PBUs. 

Winner - Gladney 

The experience at WR is helpful but Gladney has the edge given his experience at the position. 

Round 6:  Gladney  vs. #4 Igbinoghene

Igbinoghene Notes:

• Auburn Career 
• Switched to corner from offense/ST and started his sophomore and junior years.  
• Gathered 92 tackles, 19 PBU and 1 INT. 
• Also participated as kick return man with an average of 31.4 yards/return.
• Competed on the Auburn track team as a long and triple jumper.
• High School
• All-State (AL) Wide Receiver.
• Ranked as high as WR25 in the nation. 
• Son of Olympic Track athletes (Mom won a bronze in the 400M relay; dad was SEC long and triple jump champ). 

Viewed - LSU 2018, Minnesota 2019 and Florida 2019 - Very quick, very fast. Not afraid to provide run support.  Will work on relating his WR experience to route recognition at the next level. 

Winner - Gladney
Igbinoghene has a ton of upside however Gladney has had more time to put it together at the corner position.

Round 7:  Gladney vs. #3 Fulton

Fulton Notes:

• Career 
• A total of 24 career starts in 27 games.
• Total of 65 tackles, 25 PBU and 2 INTs during his college career. 
• Missed his entire Sophomore year due to an NCAA testing issue.
• High School
• All-State honors (LA) product from Archbishop Rummel HS.
• Top recruit in the state of LA and CB3 from various outlets.
• Under Armour All-America Game participant.

Viewed - Florida 2018, Texas 2019 and Alabama 2019  - Very physical in press but Texas showed if you hit back he can be neutralized.  Can be grabby late in routes which led to 3 penalties during the games viewed. He plays very tight coverage and the receivers' eyes and hands, once he trusts his instincts and stops holding, he will be fine.

Winner - Gladney 

Round 8:  Gladney vs. #2 Henderson

Gladney Notes:

• Florida Career 
• Started 27 games with 34 overall appearances.
• Collected 92 tackles, 22 PBU, 6 INTs and 4 sacks.
• Several All Conference honors each of his 3 years.
• High School 
• Played in the Under Armour All-American game.
• Scholarship offers from Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Auburn and 23 other schools.

Viewed - LSU 2018, Missouri 2019 and Miami 2019 - Needs to make the tackles.  Missed many key stops that kept his team on the field far too long. Coverage is solid on fly routes, needs to maintain that level of stickiness when he man makes a cut.  Instead of tackling or dislodging a reception he more than anything gets to the right spot but needs to work on finishing.

Winner - Gladney

 I have read analysts say they need their CBs to cover and can overlook missed tackles but the coverage was not the tightest in the group so it's hard to advance CJ.

Round 9:  Gladney vs. #1 Okudah

Okudah Notes:

• Ohio State
• Played in 35 games over 3 years
• Total of 83 tackles, 18 PBU and 3 INT.
• Consensus 2019 All-American
• High School
• Five star All-State (TX) athlete.
• Ranked as high as CB1 in the nation for his recruiting class.
• Participant in U.S. Army All-America Bowl.

Viewed - Michigan 2018, Washington 2019 and Clemson 2019 - Fast and quick, above the neck player who will lay you out. Reads not just his receiver's route, but the other teams play keys.  Collapses blocking WRs and will stop the run.  Susceptible to back shoulder throws if bracketing the receiver with the sideline - not sure where he is focusing during these plays; will work on this at the next level.

2020 Cornerback Football Film Fight Champion...

Jeffrey Okudah

The portrait of the artist as a young man.  Clearly the best CB in the draft and a Top 5 player. 

#2 Jeff Gladney

Plays hard and fast. Next level coaching puts him over the top. 

#3 Noah Igbinoghene

Huge upside on a not so raw nearly complete project. 

#4 A.J. Terrell

Not one of the big names, but could possibly provide the most value this draft. 

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NFL Draft 2020 - Football Film Fight Volume 2 Part 2 - Offensive Tackles

That Time of Year Again!

The Combine is upon us and the Offensive Linemen have been putting on a show.  What better time than now to conduct a Football Film Fight for Offensive Tackles?  Let's have them go head-to-head based solely on film viewing and identify the true top prospect.  If you missed the first edition - Running Backs, go check it out here.

Ground Rules

This year, to make it simple, I will take the Top 10 of each position group from the man who took independent scouting from the dining room to the board room, Mel Kiper Jr., based on his ESPN Top 10 lists as of 1/24/2020.  Starting with numbers 9 and 10 on each list, I will review three games per player (preferably, two from last season and one from a prior year) and, based solely on the film viewing, one will advance to the next round to face #8, repeating the process until I get my #1 overall at that position. 

DNS +/- Represents player's simple body density in relation to the average of the players in the survey (+ is larger than average, - is smaller)

Round 1:  #10 Adams vs. #9 Niang

Trey Adams Notes:

• UW Career 
• A rare true freshman starter on OLine for UW with 46 career starts. 
• Torn ACL in 2017; back injury in 2018.
• ESPN, USA Today and Football Writes All-American (2016).  
• High School 
• USA Today All-State (WA).
• Rated OT41 or better b y Rivals, ESPN and Scout.com.
• Father Bud was a pitcher drafted by the KC Royals.

Viewed -  Alabama 2016, Ohio State 2019 and Oregon 2019 - Definitely see what all the excitement was about his future back in 2016 vs. Bama.  Had his hands full with Chase Young in the 1st quarter but adjusted nicely to handle the potential top pick.  Seems to have good preparation but will let himself get behind in the play vs. speed rushers and will tend to lunge.  Nice performance vs. Oregon.  Seems to show shades of 2016.

vs. 

Lucas Niang Notes:

• TCU Career 
• Starting LT since 2017 with 28 career starts for the Horned Frogs.
•  2nd Team All-Big 12 (2018)   
• Played just 7 games in 2019 due to season ending hip surgery. 
• High School 
• OT1 in the state of Connecticut in his recruiting class
• Offers from Auburn, Miami (FL) and Penn State

Viewed - WVU 2018, Texas 2019 and Purdue 2019 - On the right side. Could be more efficient in pass pro set up. Reaches a bit too much when he can't get to his spot on time. Working on lower body strength would improve his overall game.

Winner:  Adams 

From the games viewed, Adams seems much more serviceable right now and is a true left tackle.

Round 2:  Adams vs. #8 Jackson

Jackson Notes:

• USC Career 
• Total of 25 starts over his 3 year career, all at LT.
• Despite undergoing surgery for bone marrow donation and missing much of summer camp in 2019, he recovered to not miss a start the following season.
• High School 
•  Selected to All-American teams in 2015 and 2016. 
• Multi-sport athlete (track and basketball). 
• Grandson of former Trojan OL Melvin Jackson who went on to play 5 years in the NFL. 

Viewed - UCLA  2018, Iowa 2019 and Utah  2019 - Has some tricks up his sleeve.  Sometimes forgets to keep his feet.  Vs Iowa faced Epenesa with some success but had issues dealing with the power rush.  Utah vs. Anae and had challenges with his speed/power.  

Winner:  Adams

Adams had more consistent film.  If Jackson can land with a team to develop, he can make some noise in the league.

Round 3: Adams vs. #7 Charles

Charles Notes:

• LSU Career 
• 28 starts in 3 years along the line with 26 starts at LT.
• 2017 All Freshman SEC Team.  
• High School 
• Four star recruit per Rivals and Scout. 
• Displaced by Hurricane Katrina settling in Mississippi.
• Recognized as a top recruit from that state. 

Viewed - Auburn 2018, Texas 2019 and Alabama 2019 -  The most amazing thing about Charles is he can sometimes forget to move his feet.  It's remarkable.  He always bounced back on the next play but it's something to see.  His pass protection will need work so project him to the right side at the next level. 

Winner:  Adams 

Charles needs to figure out the foot thing and that will keep his LT options limited. He is not a road grader so perhaps he can move into a left guard role. 

Round 4: Adams vs. #6 Peart

Peart Notes:  

• Connecticut Career:
• Started all 48 games in his 4 years as a Husky.
• Switched from guard to RT his senior year.  
• High School 
• Did not play football at all before high school.
• Basketball team captain.

Viewed - UCF 2018, Wagner 2019 and UCF 2019 - Not a lot of UConn footage out there.  Given he is relatively new to the sport he has a lot of upside.  I like him better in pass protection so I see the LT projection.  Has the physical tools; can develop with the right coaching staff.

Winner:  Adams 

I am as surprised by this outcome the way I've heard Adams mentioned on social media.  Not that Peart is flawed, he is actually very adept but Adams just has more experience and it shows.

Round 5:  Adams vs. #5 Jones

Jones Notes:  

• Houston Career 
• Total of 45 starts at LT.
• Injuries in 2017 (missed two games due to knee) and 2019 (missed three games due to high ankle sprain). 
• High School 
• Three star recruit by several media outlets.
• OT11 in the state of Texas by Scout.
• Two sport athlete (Basketball)

Viewed -  USF 2018, Oklahoma 2019 and Cincinnati  2019 - Showed nice improvement year over year with increased ferocity.  Better pass protector so I would leave him on the left side. Held his own well against Oklahoma.  Late in games he had a lot of help from a tight end on his side (sometimes an extra lineman) so stamina issues?

Winner - Jones 

It was a nice run for Adams but Jones shows he can impose his will on opponents and is able to make a larger impact. 

Round 6:  Jones  vs. #4 Wirfs

Wirfs Notes:

• Iowa Career 
• Played in 35 games with 33 starts; four games at left tackle, 29 at right tackle.  
• First Team All-American by several outlets (including Football Writers), Second Team All-American (AP and AFCA). 
• High School
•  All State (IA).
• Selected to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl  
• All-Iowa Boys HS athlete of the year as a three sport athlete (state champion in wrestling and Track and Field)

Viewed - Penn State 2018, Michigan 2019 and USC 2019 - Like the others, the cut blocking is hilarious...how are they teaching that? Anyway, solid in run and pass. Can lean but never victimized for it. Great 4th quarter energy.

Winner - Wilfs

More reliable in pass and run, he can play either tackle position.

Round 7:  Wilfs vs. #3 Wills

Wills Notes:

• Alabama Career 
• A total of 29 career starts with 28 at RT.
• Earned All-American accolades from several media outlets.
• High School
• All-State honors (KY) beginning his sophomore year.
• #1 recruit from the state of Kentucky.
• Under Armour All-America Game and Nike "The Opening" participant.

Viewed - Mississippi State 2018, South Carolina 2019 and LSU 2019  - On the right side his whole career.  He's like Po from Kung Fu Panda, he is shock absorber, often taking the first hit from defenders and counter attacking. Like the run blocking.  Wily pass rushers can exploit his anticipation when he reaches at times. Can be a spectator at times.  Speed rush can be a challenge.  Finally - effective, non-Looney Toons cut blocking.

Winner - Wilfs 

Wills will be drafted in the top 20 so he will be excited but as far a versatility, Wilfs checks all the boxes.  

Round 8:  Wilfs vs. #2 Becton

Becton Notes:

• Louisville Career 
• Started 34 games for the Cardinals.
• Played RT switching over to LT his final year.   
• High School 
• All-State selection (VA).
• Rivals 4-star recruit
• Also played center for his basketball team.

Viewed - Alabama 2018, Notre Dame 2019 and Clemson 2019 - Big and strong.  Crosses his feet a lot when making up ground lost to speed which will be exploited at the next level on speed to power rushes.  Has to keep his feet under him - tries to throw defenders but destabilizes his base and just shoves guys who stay in the play. Wider base vs. Clemson seemed to help his feet.

Winner - Wilfs

 Becton is big, strong and fast whose coaches are going to be drooling to get to work with him.  Wilfs is ready today.

Round 9:  Wilfs vs. #1 Thomas

Thomas Notes:

• Georgia 
• Started 41 games, 15 at RT and 26 on the left side.  
• All-American lists each of his three years as a Bulldog.
• High School
• All-State (GA).
• Participant in U.S. Army All-America Bowl.
• Top 10 OT recruit in several media outlets.
• Two-way lineman with 59 tackles his senior year.

Viewed - Alabama 2018, Notre Dame 2019 and LSU 2019 - Quick and strong. 5:20 in Q3 vs Bama...shows a mean streak. Solid rebound from a mental error to return flawless the rest of the way out (Bama and LSU game). Solid technique.

2020 Offensive Tackle Football Film Fight Champion...

Andrew Thomas

2.  Tristan Wilfs

3. Josh Jones

4.  Mekhi Becton

Bonus take from #5 - Trey Adams

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