2017 NFL Combine: Cornerbacks to Watch

Sidney Jones, CB, Washington – 6’1″, 170 pounds

The first thing that jumps out about Jones, both on paper and film, is his weight. He’s very thin for a top-tier NFL prospect. Most elite NFL prospects that are small have elite speed. Jones does not. That’s the only reason he’s anything but a top-15 corner.  Mock drafts have him going everywhere from #11 to the end of the first round as a result.

However, that weight doesn’t do justice to how aggressive and strong Jones is for his size. He has an excellent punch to jam receivers off the line, and natural fluidity to stay with receivers during their routes and out of their breaks.

Jones trains with former Husky and NFL All-Pro CB Marcus Peters in the offseason, and shares Peters’ instincts and ball-hawking ability. He had three interceptions and six pass breakups in 2016, after posting four INTs and 10 PBUs in 2015.

His lack of size, though, often sees him handled in run support by bigger receivers. He topped out at 60 tackles in a season at Washington, and larger NFL receivers physically dominating him is a valid concern.

That concern becomes troubling when looking at Jones’ top-end speed. Like Tabor, scouts question Jones’ straight-line, top-end speed. Combining that with a lack of size to jam NFL receivers makes for a long day.

During the combine, he will need to show at the combine his ability to use his hands, and demonstrate NFL-level strength. As a smaller corner he needs an excellent 40 time to show the speed to make up for his lack of size in the NFL.

Adoree Jackson, CB, USC – 5’10″, 185 pounds

Speed is something nobody is concerned about when it comes to Jackson. He’s also a very versatile player, having scored touchdowns in his USC career at corner, receiver, and as a returner. Shades of Charles Woodson, perhaps?

Let’s slow down. Jackson, a 2016 All-American and the Thorpe award winner as college’s top DB, certainly has the accolades to accompany such praise. He scored four return touchdowns (2 kick returns, 2 punt returns) in 2016. He made the U.S. Olympic trials in the long-jump. He’s an elite athlete with world-class speed who can change a game in an instant.

But, like Jones, NFL scouts have concerns over Jackson’s size and strength at the next level. Unlike Jones, Jackson is more of an off-corner who plays with finesse rather than toughness. That can easily be exploited by big, aggressive receivers in the NFL in both the run and passing games. Jackson has shorter arms and lacks length NFL GM’s covet in a CB.

Concerns over size and strength used to be fairly minimal when it came to defensive backs. But as NFL receivers get bigger and stronger yet stay just as fast, they are becoming important attributes. Jackson has the elite speed traditionally seen to overshadow size concerns. But he can be a liability in the run game and doesn’t like to stick his nose into the fray willingly.

Before Jackson’s breakout 2016 campaign, the ability to cover receivers was a concern. He had five interceptions and 11 PBUs to win the Thorpe, and showed vastly improved instincts and man-coverage abilities.

Jackson will have to show at the combine that he does possess the elite top-end speed expected. The 40 is the big enchilada. Jackson is under some pressure as one of the expected fastest players there. Can he come through?

He’ll also have to show in drills and the bench press that he has NFL strength, at least for his frame. Jackson is being mocked from the late first to early second rounds.

For most teams, Jackson’s contributions on special teams will increase his value. Just look at the impact Tyreek Hill had for the Chiefs in 2016. But for the Raiders, having discovered Jalen Richard last year, Adoree’s punt return ability may not move the needle as much.