NFL Draft 2014 Preview (60 page)

Strengths:
Good size and big hands. Reads and reacts quickly. Assignment-sound and well-coached. Drops downhill to support the run and has experience in deep-zone coverage. Dependable wrap tackler. Good production. Vocal leader who commanded the secondary and made all the calls. Stood out on special teams as a younger player and has the makeup to be a special-teams captain in the pros.

Weaknesses:
Short arms. Lacks elite top-end speed. Not a quick-twitch athlete. Does not explode off the hash and closing burst is just average — late getting over the top. Has man-coverage limitations — struggles to matchup with slot receivers. Occasionally fails to break down or overruns ball carriers in space. Dull pop on contact — not an explosive, blow-up tackler. Started just 15 games.

Future:
A coach’s son, Sunseri has requisite athletic ability for the pro game, but his head for the game rates among his best traits. Has the size, tackling ability and dependability to make a living as a backup and core special-teams player. Draft stock could be impacted by season-ending torn ACL.

Draft projection:
Fifth- to sixth-round pick.

NCB-SS JEMEA THOMAS, #14

GEORGIA TECH
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Grade: 5.14

Ht: 5-9 1/4 | Wt: 192 | Sp: 4.54 | Arm: 30 5/8 | Hand: 10

History:
Name pronounced “ja-ME-a.” Prepped in Georgia, where he was the Class AA Defensive Player of the Year. Also ran track. Began 2009 fall camp as a running back before switching to defensive back and recording 10 tackles, zero pass breakups and zero interceptions while playing in all 14 games. Redshirted in ’10 due to poor grades. Appeared in all 13 games with two starts (Clemson, Utah) in ’11 and managed 50-6-3 with four tackles for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble. Took over the punt returner job for the last five contests, returning three punts for 31 yards (10.3-yard average). Led the team in interceptions in ’12, logging 86-6-4 with three tackles for loss while making all 14 starts — the first five games at CB and the last nine at safety. Team leader in tackles and pass breakups in ’13 with 88-8-2 with 6 1/2 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles in 13 starts. Played in 54 career games to tie the GT record and saw action at every position in the secondary. Had nine career kickoff returns for 204 yards (22.7-yard average). Strained a back muscle bench pressing at the Combine and did not do drills.

Strengths:
Has large hands and is strong for his size. Sacrifices his body and supports the run willingly — likes contact. Takes good angles and understands run-game fits. Quietly confident. Mentally and physically tough. Good short-area zone awareness — reacting to throws is front of him is a strength. Tough and durable to play hurt. Highly respected. Hardworking and accountable. Experienced, four-year starter.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal height and has short arms. Frame is nearly maxed out. Stiff hips. Gives up some ground and allows separation in man coverage vs. quickness. Easily mismatched by size vs. tight ends. Average range — lacks desirable length and fluidity to patrol the back end. Hands are iffy.

Future:
Strong, tough, durable, downhill box safety whose hip tightness is limiting, but he brings desirable grit, physicality and competitiveness and could latch on as a situational nickel-safety and special-teams player.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

Scout’s take:
“He is a tough little player. He is just small. He’s a tweener. He has played some corner and safety. He’s probably a better fit as a safety. He has some hip stiffness. He will struggle matching up in press (coverage) at corner. He reminded me a little bit of (Lamarcus) Joyner from Florida State, but he’s not as athletic. They both play nickel. I put (Thomas) in the sixth (round).”

FS-NCB BROCK VEREEN, #21

MINNESOTA
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Grade: 5.37

Ht: 5-11 5/8 | Wt: 199 | Sp: 4.47 | Arm: 30 | Hand: 8 1/4

History:
His father, Henry, was drafted by Tampa Bay before going to the Canadian Football League, and his brother, Shane, is a running back for the New England Patriots. Brock was a defensive back-running back who also ran track as a California prep. Saw action in nine games as a true freshman in 2010, making four starts at cornerback, and managed 10 tackles, zero pass breakups and zero interceptions. Started all 12 games at CB in ’11 and posted 67-7-1 with 3 1/2 tackles for loss and one forced fumble. Was limited during ’12 spring practice with a torn meniscus and was converted to a safety. Began the ’12 season as a backup safety before starting seven of the final eight contests, registered 64-9-2 with 1 1/2 tackles for loss and one-half sack in 13 games. Logged 59-6-1 with 2 1/2 tackles for loss and one forced fumble. Started all 13 games — the first six games at safety and the last seven at cornerback.

Strengths:
Very good athlete with fluid movement skills and good range. Competes hard. Runs the alley and can negotiate traffic. Good zone awareness and route recognition. Understands angles and leverage. Can carry receivers in man coverage with little wasted movement in transition on speed turns. Good leaping ability. Very smart, motivated, team player with a passion for the game. Can line up the defense. Outstanding work ethic. Contributes as a gunner on special teams. Has NFL pedigree. Pumped 25 benchpress reps, most among DBs at the Combine, and recorded a 4.07-second short shuttle, second among safeties.

Weaknesses:
Has tiny hands, short arms and lacks overall bulk. Does not have ideal length to match up with NFL tight ends in coverage. Not an explosive hitter or forceful tackler. Hands are suspect — smothers the ball and has just four career interceptions. Long-term durability could be a concern.

Future:
Intelligent, athletic, rangy free safety with desirable strength and cover skills to go along with football bloodlines. Needs to improve against the run, but is instinctive and brings terrific intangibles that could propel him into a role as a starter and defensive leader

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He is a nickel corner, not a safety in my opinion. He might have a chance as a free safety. I could see him landing in the fourth (round). He’s really smart.”

RCB JASON VERRETT, #2

TCU
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Grade: 5.75

Ht: 5-9 1/2 | Wt: 189 | Sp: 4.38 | Arm: 30 5/8 | Hand: 9 1/4

History:
Last name is pronounced “VER-rett.” Played defensive back and running back as a California prep. Attended Santa Rosa (Calif.) JC, where he grayshirted in 2009 while learning to play defensive back. Returned to the field for the ’10 season, playing in seven games and missing three contests with a hamstring injury and was ranked the sixth-best junior college DB. Transferred to TCU in ’11 and played in all 13 games (10 starts), logging 58 tackles, four pass breakups and one interception with 1 1/2 tackles for loss. Had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee during ’12 spring practice. Led the Big 12 in interceptions in the fall after posting 63-16-6 with five tackles for loss and a blocked field in 13 starts. Suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee against Texas but played in final two games before having surgery in January ’13. Named co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after logging 39-14-2 with 3 1/2 tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble in 11 starts. Played most of the season with a torn labrum originally injured in the third game against Texas Tech and re-injured in November. Had the shoulder surgically repaired in March.

Strengths:
Quick, twitchy and explosive popping out of his pedal. Good eyes, anticipation and footwork. Very feisty and athletic. Outstanding instincts. Superb reactive quickness and recovery speed. Very good ball skills — consistently makes plays on the ball. Very willing in run support and plays bigger than his size. Athleticism was on display at the Combine — 40-yard dash, 3-cone drill (6.69 seconds), short shuttle (4.00) vertical jump (39 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 8 inches) ranked among the best of the cornerbacks.

Weaknesses:
Does not look the part — is short and short-armed with a small, thin-waisted, thin-boned body. Durability is an issue — struggles to stay healthy and is not built to endure the physical toll of the NFL, particularly as a starter. Low-dive tackler (misses some). Can be overwhelmed by bigger blockers and struggles to shed blocks. Average play strength. Had a bout with lost confidence as a younger player when he nearly quit after being embarrassed by Robert Griffin III and a high-powered Baylor offense.

Future:
Feisty, aggressive, undersized nickel corner with potential to ascend to a No. 2 if he can stay in one piece. Is not the physical prototype for the position, but compensates with outstanding athleticism, blazing speed and a tenacious temperament. Is a terrific football player who boasts toughness and competitiveness reminiscent of Cortland Finnegan.

Draft projection:
Second-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He is fun to watch. You watch him on tape and you get excited. I saw him in person in the fall, and he didn’t look like he was 175 pounds soaking wet. He’s skinny. That’s my biggest concern. He is quick, explosive and athletic. He is a pesty pain in the (butt) to shake. ...I love him. I think he is a very good player. He is just small. Worst case, he’ll be a starting nickel. He’s tough enough to start out wide, but his body will get banged up as a full-time starter. I’m not sure if he will hold up. He reminds me a little bit of Alphonso Smith, who went in the second round (37th overall) to Denver (in 2009).”

FS JIMMIE WARD, #15

NORTHERN ILLINOIS
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Grade: 5.36

Ht: 5-10 3/4 | Wt: 197 | Sp: 4.48 | Arm: 31 | Hand: 9 3/8

History:
Has a child. Prepped in Alabama. As a true freshman in 2010, he logged 21 tackles, one pass breakup and zero interceptions with one forced fumble and a school-record three blocked punts. Returned a blocked punt 15 yards for a touchdown. Played in all 14 games, seeing extensive action as a backup free safety and on special teams. Registered 100-4-1 with 2 1/2 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and one blocked punt against Army in 14 games (12 starts at cornerback) in ’11. Led the Huskies in tackles in ’12 after posting 104-11-3 with one tackle for loss and one forced fumble in 13 starts at free safety. Missed the UMASS game with sprained A/C joint in his right shoulder. In ’13, logged 95-10-7 with 2 1/2 tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble in 14 starts. Had a 62-yard touchdown return for a score against Purdue. Did not work out at the Combine because of a foot injury (medical exclusion).

Strengths:
Intense, active and energetic. Zooms around the field and stands out on tape. Aggressive run supporter — triggers quickly, flies downhill and chops down ball carriers. Breaks on throws and shows short-area burst to close. Has quick hands to snatch interceptions. Confident and energetic. Experienced and productive. Has a 38-inch vertical jump.

Weaknesses:
Size is just adequate — lacks ideal bulk and is built more like a cornerback than a safety. Benchpressed 225 pounds just nine times at the Combine, second fewest among DBs. Gets snagged on blocks and struggles to disengage. Can be a tick late diagnosing pass, gaining depth and digesting route combos. Lacks elite top-end speed. Has man-coverage limitations. Inconsistent downfield ball reactions with his back to the throw. Shows lower-body stiffness in space. Could rub some people the wrong way. Has some maturing to do and needs to learn what it means to prepare like a pro.

Future:
Wiry, active, aggressive defensive back at his best playing downhill and reacting to plays in front him. Lacks ideal size, instincts, range and cover skills, but could carve a niche as a nickel safety and special-teams contributor.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He’s a nickel safety. That’s what he is. You can find those guys in the fourth round. If they are really good, you might start looking in the third. (Ward) doesn’t start for us as a safety or in nickel. I put him in the fifth (round) for us.”

RCB TODD WASHINGTON, #1

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA
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Grade: 5.15

Ht: 5-11 3/8 | Wt: 196 | Sp: 4.55e | Arm: 31 1/8 | Hand: 8 3/4

History:
Prepped in Louisiana. Began his college career at Memphis in 2010 and played in nine contests (six starts), recording nine tackles, one pass breakup and two interceptions with one tackle for loss. Missed two games with a hip pointer. Decided to transfer to Southeastern Louisiana for the ’11 season to be closer to his family. Logged 15-2-1 in eight games (seven starts) and missed three games with an ankle injury. Made 11-of-12 starts (all but Sam Houston) in ’12 and managed 27-9-1 with two tackles for loss. Had an injury-plagued ’13, missing the final six games with turf toe, and logged 15-8-0 in eight starts. Did not work out at the Combine (foot).

Strengths:
Good size. Experienced in press and off-man coverage and has slot experience. Good route recognition to shadow and mirror and ride the hip pocket. Secure open-field tackler. Nice football intelligence. Serves as a jammer on special teams.

Weaknesses:
Has short arms and small hands. Average athlete. Limited weight-room strength. Can do a better job fending off blocks. Can be overaggressive jumping routes in front of him. Could stand to improve eye discipline — too easily manipulated and could improve positioning. Inconsistent technique. Does not carry a lot of swagger and is not a ballhawk.