NFL Draft 2014 Preview (52 page)

Ht: 5-11 5/8 | Wt: 206 | Sp: 4.49 | Arm: 31 7/8 | Hand: 9 3/4

History:
The California prep lettered for two years despite undergoing open heart surgery as a sophomore. As a true freshman in 2008, played in 11 games (one start) and recorded 35 tackles, one pass breakup and one interception. Returned five punts for 57 yards (11.4-yard average). Missed the ’09 season, as he needed surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. Also ran into trouble when he bought a computer that had been stolen from the school; he pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property and was sentenced to 48 hours in jail. Returned to the field in ’10 and made 12 starts at cornerback, tallying 39-5-0 with 5 1/2 tackles for loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles. Was 19-197-0 (10.4) as a punt returner. Missed one game with a concussion. Played in 14 games (13 starts) in ’11 and totaled 49-13-4 with 1 1/2 tackles for loss. As a punt returner, he was 11-138-1 (12.5) with a 65-yard touchdown against New Mexico State. Sat out the ’12 season as a medical redshirt — fractured his right shoulder during the first week of camp, requiring surgery. Appeared in all 13 games (12 starts) in ’13 and had 42-8-4 with 1 1/2 tackles for loss and one sack with 21-267 (12.7) as a punt returner. Returned a pair of interceptions for scores against Massachusetts (66 yards and 30 yards). Team captain. Did not work out at the Combine because of a right knee (lateral meniscus) injury.

Strengths:
Outstanding size — looks the part of an NFL defensive back with a sculpted physique and nice length. Equipped to jam. Has speed to carry receivers vertically. Good zone awareness and ball reactions. Good hands to intercept. Sets the edge in run support. Smart and instinctive. Confident and competitive. Was a productive punt returner and has worked as a gunner.

Weaknesses:
Tweener traits. Pedals tight. Shows some stiffness in his pedal and transition. Footwork needs to be coached up. Does not explode out of transition or display burst to recover. Average pop on contact. Will be a 24-year-old rookie — missed two full seasons because of hip and shoulder injuries.

Future:
Smoother-than-explosive, height-weight-speed prospect who will draw the attention of Cover-2 teams given his physicality, ball skills and tackling. Special-teams ability adds to value.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He’s a big press corner with a lot of tools. He’s coming off the knee injury. He missed a year. ... He’s a smooth, fluid, athletic type player with adequate straight-line speed. He is a lot better in tight, physical man coverage. He struggles to open up, flip and turn. He’s a good hitter in run support.”

FS HA HA CLINTON-DIX, #6 (JUNIOR)

ALABAMA
>
Grade: 6.10

Ht: 6-1 3/8 | Wt: 208 | Sp: 4.58 | Arm: 32 3/8 | Hand: 9

History:
His full name is Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix. Elite recruit out of Florida, where he doubled as a running back and kick returner. Played in 13 games for Alabama as a true freshman in ’11 and recorded 11 tackles and two pass breakups. Was a key performer for the national champions in ’12, appearing in all 14 games (10 starts) at safety. Had 37 tackles, four pass breakups and five interceptions with one-half tackle for loss and one forced fumble. Tied for the SEC lead in interceptions, including picks in the SEC Championship win over Georgia and the BCS National Championship win over Notre Dame. In ’13, he played in 11 games (nine starts at free safety) and totaled 51-4-2 with 3 1/2 tackles for loss. Received a suspension for accepting a short-term loan of less than $500 from an assistant coach, missing two games. Injured his knee against Auburn November 30, necessitating surgery on the meniscus tear, but returned to the field for the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Strengths:
Good size and wing span. Quick to read and react. Enough speed and fluidity to keep pace with slot receivers or tight ends. Ranges off the hash. Good hands to intercept. Takes direct angles to the ball. Drops downhill urgently, runs the alley and does not shy from contact — wipes out ballcarries. Secure tackler. Can break down and tackle in space. Has special-teams experience. Well-coached in a pro-style defense.

Weaknesses:
Has a narrow build and lacks ideal bulk — could stand to get stronger. Not an elite athlete — ordinary speed and leaping ability. Occasionally gets stuck on blocks. Could stand to iron out his pedal. Does not always play with abandon — plays conservatively at times and can be late fitting in the run game or getting off the hash. Average ball production and playmaking ability. Not as natural in the box. Was not an exceptional ballhawk or an intimidating eraser.

Future:
Hype exceeded his performance in Tuscaloosa, but Clinton-Dix offers starter-caliber instincts, range, coverage skills and tackling ability as a free safety. Should be a Day One starter.

Draft projection:
First-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“When I sat down and watched him, I was a little disappointed. I didn’t think he was as good of an athlete as I thought he was going to be. Some other (scouts) were trying to compare him to Mark Barron and LaRon Landry and all the guys that went high. This guy is not the same. I didn’t see the cover skills that everyone seems to be raving about. I thought he was lacking some of that.”

NCB ross cockrell, #6

duke
>
Grade: 5.34

Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 191 | Sp: 4.56 | Arm: 29 7/8 | Hand: 9

History:
High school cornerback-receiver who also played basketball and ran track as a North Carolina prep. After redshirting in 2009, he made his collegiate debut in ’10 and started 12 games at cornerback, recording 60 tackles, seven pass breakups and a team-high three interceptions. Made 11 starts in ’11, recording 56-9-1 with one tackle for loss. Missed one game with a leg injury. Tallied 71-13-5 with four tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble in ’12 (13 starts). Had a school-record 75-yard blocked field goal return for a touchdown against Florida International and had a 32-yard interception return for a score against North Carolina Central. In ’13, made 13 starts and recorded 46-12-3 with two tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble. Missed one game with an ankle injury. Team captain. Concluded his career as Duke’s all-time leader in interceptions (12) and passes broken up (41).

Strengths:
Plays smart and has a good feel for the game — eyes, anticipation and awareness. Plays with discipline and takes a consistent approach. Good route recognition. Lines up in the slot and is quick and agile enough to handle dynamic receivers. Sorts through route combinations and maintains positioning. Good leaping ability — competes for the ball in the air. Has jammer experience on special teams.

Weaknesses:
Has small hands, short arms and a thin frame, especially in the lower body. Limited press strength to match up against bigger receivers. Often plays to the boundary. Has some tightness in his hips that shows re-directing — allows separation at the break point. Does not step up and take on blocks and overall game lacks physicality.

Future:
Good-sized, smart, ballhawking zone corner who plays fast and could bring immediate value as a nickel back and contribute on special teams.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“ I gave him a sixth-round grade. He has length, but he is not a physical type. He is more of a man-off type. He will do well in zone to sit and read because he is a smart kid. He is not a step-up, take-on guy. I didn’t see him play press well. He’s built decent up top, but he’s a stick in the lower (body) and not fluid. I don’t see the quick twitch. He often gets beat off the break. I was expected to see a third-rounder, and I wound up putting a six on him.”

RCB aaron colvin, #14

oklahoma
>
Grade: 5.27

Ht: 5-11 3/8 | Wt: 177 | Sp: 4.55e | Arm: 31 | Hand: 9 1/4

History:
His last name is pronounced “COLE-vin.” Oklahoma native. Arrived on campus in 2010 and played in 14 games (one start at cornerback) as a true freshman, totaling 34-3-0 with three tackles for loss and one forced fumble. Was moved to strong safety in ’11 and had 84-6-0 with 4 1/2 tackles for loss and one-half sack in 12 total starts (including one at cornerback). Missed one game because of a concussion. Following the season, he underwent shoulder surgery and was not on the field during spring drills. Returned to cornerback for the ’12 season and registered 61-11-4 with 2 1/2 tackles for loss and two sacks in 13 starts. Despite missing time in ’13 with turf toe and shoulder injuries, he recorded 55-3-1 with five tackles for loss and one sack in 11 games (10 starts). Returned a blocked extra-point 98 yards for two points against Kansas. Missed two games to concussions (West Virginia. In January ’14, he tore his right ACL during Senior Bowl practice, necessitating surgery (Dr. James Andrews), and was medically excluded from the Combine.

Strengths:
Looks the part — good size, body length and athletic ability. Fine technician. Smart and instinctive — can sort out combo routes. Matches up well with taller receivers and can carry them vertically downfield. Functional tackler. Hardworking, respected team leader who will hold teammates accountable. Experienced, three-year starter.

Weaknesses:
Average bend, feet and twitch, which negates his transitional quickness and allows receivers to create separation out of breaks. Does not play fast. Lacks striking power. Gets hung up on blocks. Has a concussion history.

Future:
Long, smart, tough, zone corner whose body is not built to withstand heavy contact or the aggression with which he likes to play. Will grow on evaluators the more they watch him and has the instincts to eventually compete for a starting job, though teams could always be looking to upgrade his lack of speed and athletic ability. Torn ACL injury suffered at the Senior Bowl will affect his readiness for the season and could drop his draft status by a round or two.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I like his size and the way he looks physically. He is tough. He is not a good athlete.”

NCB-SS Alden Darby, #4

Arizona State
>
Grade: 5.20

Ht: 5-10 1/8 | Wt: 194 | Sp: 4.66 | Arm: 30 | Hand: 8 1/2

History:
Grew up poor in a dangerous part of Long Beach, Calif. Biological parents were in and out of jail, and Alden did not have a place to call home — often had to seek out family members and teammates’ families for a bed to sleep in. Was raised by his step-father, who steered him to Millikan High instead of powerhouse Cal Poly so Alden could earn his keep and make his own name. Played quarterback, receiver, defensive back and kick returner, but was lightly recruited before qualifying academically and landing a scholarship at ASU. As a true freshman in 2010, played 11 games and was credited with 14 tackles, zero pass breakups and zero interceptions. Played all 13 games in ’11, starting the final two as a nickel back, and collected 51-3-3 (one touchdown) and a tackle for loss. Started all 27 games the next two seasons at boundary safety — totaled 80-7-3 (one TD) with 5 1/2 tackles for loss, two sacks a forced fumble in ’12 (13 games) and 72-9-4 with two tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in ’13 (14 games). Team captain was the first ASU player given the Pat Tillman Practice Jersey, which head coach Todd Graham gives to those who embody the positive characteristics of the football program and the university. Did not bench press at his pro day (shoulder).

Strengths:
Versatile and has played every position in the secondary — safety, corner and nickelback. Football smart — makes the secondary calls and checks. Good strength and pop on contact. Highly respected team leader with a team-first attitude. Outstanding football character. Valuable special teams contributor with gunner experience. Displayed playmaking ability vs. USC the last two years.

Weaknesses:
Is tall in his pedal (rises). Has man coverage limitations (average speed and agility to keep phase vertically). Can become a more consistent, secure tackler — plays a bit out of control. Does not show range to get deep over the top and leverage the field from the deep middle (late to arrive). Not a natural hands catcher.

Future:
A true tweener, Darby is built like a cornerback but lacks the foot speed to match up one-on-one with receivers and does not have ideal bulk for the safety position. Has overcome a lot of adversity in his life and has make-it intangibles that could resonate with a coaching staff and inspire a locker room. Is worth trying as a zone corner, could add depth to a secondary and compete on special teams.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

Scout’s take:
“He’s an undersized safety. He’s smart with really good strength and pop. He’s a cross between a safety and corner. He’s lean, ripped up and chiseled, but he does not have the speed of a corner or the bulk of a safety. I like him as a leader and all that. I wish he were a better tackler. He’s limited for what we want.”

RCB-RS CHRIS DAVIS, #11

AUBURN
>
Grade: 5.12

Ht: 5-9 7/8 | Wt: 202 | Sp: 4.56 | Arm: 31 | Hand: 9 1/4

History:
Has a son. Also played basketball as an Alabama prep. Played in all 14 games for Auburn as a true freshman in 2010 and had 19 tackles, three pass breakups and zero interceptions. Was injured on the opening kickoff of the BCS National Championship Game against Oregon, rolling his right ankle and missing the rest of the contest. Started 11 games at cornerback in ’11 and had 60-4-0 with a forced fumble. Missed two games because of a high ankle sprain. Saw action in nine games in ’12 (six starts) and totaled 41-3-0 with 1 1/2 tackles for loss. Missed three games after suffering a concussion. Had a memorable senior season in ’13, starting 12 games and tallying 74-15-0 with 2 1/2 tackles for loss and one forced fumble. On November 30 against previously No. 1 Alabama, he returned a missed 57-yard field goal 109 yards with no time remaining on the clock for a game-winning touchdown. Saw his first collegiate action returning punts and finished third in the nation in punt return average, returning 17 for 318 yards (18.7-yard average) and an 85-yard score against Tennessee. Missed two games with an ankle injury. Did not work out at the Combine because of a right knee injury (medical exclusion).