Looking to Matt Miller for draft help
Matt Miller is one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter. Not just in April, but 365 days a year.
He is great at identifying players before the season and during the season. He does a great job outlining the rise and fall of players throughout their final years in college.
For example, this week in his Scouting Notebook (a must-read weekly) he identifies someone who is set to have a storied rise up draft boards (one scout calls that prospect the next Joe Thomas) and has thoughts on Leonard Fournette’s potential slip.
However, where I want to focus in on is cornerbacks. The Tennessee Titans need two, maybe even three new cornerbacks for this roster. They need:
CB1. A true top cornerback who can hang with top receivers for extended times. Someone to help deal with Nuk Hopkins, Allen Robinson and T.Y. Hilton.
CB2. Someone who is more opportunistic. It is alright if this player takes risks, as long as he has the chance to create turnovers.
CB3. A slot or depth cornerback who can be a star on special teams.
In Miller’s notebook, he actually outlines players that I think could be a fit in all three of those categories. Here are the players I am talking about.
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CB1: Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
I love Lewis and Miller compares him to Chris Harris Jr. the standout CB for the Denver Broncos in his notes. Lewis is ultra aggressive when the ball is in the air, and always has a “my ball” mentality. I could easily see him coming in and having a great year if teams decide to test him.
I have also mentioned before that Lewis is one of the best DBs ever in terms of pass deflections, which is a stat that the New England Patriots and Jon Robinson apparently used when deciding to draft Logan Ryan.
CB2: Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
I think Humphrey has the potential to be a star. He is another very aggressive CB who looks smooth in coverage and comes down in run support.
It is always hard to tell how good an Alabama defender is because they are surrounded by 10 other outstanding college athletes. In a vacuum, I think Humphrey is probably a CB2 in the NFL, at least early.
If the Titans really think that McCourty can come back healthy next year and be a CB1 for this team then fine, but you still need help. Adding Humphrey would give the Titans a big boost opposite him and it would give them a chance to turn the ball over more.
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CB3: Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson
Tankersley hasn’t had a great season to me, but I haven’t really sat and broken him down yet. I spend most of my time watching SEC and PAC 12 football, so I miss a fair amount on first glance.
This is what Miller had to say:
“Tankersley, a senior, was thought to be the better pro prospect last season than teammate Mackensie Alexander, according to scouts. He has pro-level size (6’1″, 200 lbs) and the ball skills to make plays against the pass. Tankersley isn’t getting publicity alongside guys like Adoree’ Jackson or Jourdan Lewis, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he’s drafted higher than them in April.”
I think Jackson could go higher because of his freak athleticism, and I just like Lewis a lot more than he does. However, there aren’t going to be 10 CBs drafted in the first round. Someone has to fall and Tankersley is a prime candidate.
If Jon Robinson makes a move with one of his first round picks to move back and grab a second, this could be a prime target to play opposite Lewis in a dream world.