Adrian Fedkiw
Here’s how pass-happy the NFL has become, just one team ran the ball more than they threw it in 2015.
ONE!
That was the Rex Ryan- led Buffalo Bills by the way and their run percentage was only 50.10 percent. Ten years ago, seven teams pounded the ball more than dropping back to pass and the highest percentage was the Pittsburgh Steelers at 57.39 percent. Just seven players reached the 1,000-yard mark rushing while 16 accomplished the feat in 2005.
With teams slinging the pigskin now more than ever, defenses are using nickel and dime packages more than 50 percent of the time. The base defense has become a misnomer. Slot cornerbacks are almost like starters and three-down front seven players are becoming rarer and rarer. It’s all about sub-packages.
While the Broncos won a Super Bowl this past season mostly on their defense pressuring the quarterback, they also possess the best set of cornerbacks in the NFL in Aqib Talib and Chris Harris. It makes it a lot easier on a defensive coordinator to bring the heat and dial up the blitz when you can trust the back end.
Having that great pair of cornerbacks is what I miss in Philadelphia, remember Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor, Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown? The Eagles could’ve had that opportunity of a great pair had they stayed at No. 8 and picked Vernon Hargreaves III to play with Eric Rowe, who rose expectations for this year with a stellar last month of the 2015 season.
Philadelphia heads into the draft with Rowe, Nolan Carroll, Leodis McKelvin and Ron Brooks as its top cornerbacks. McKelvin and Brooks signed free-agent deals, while Carroll re-signed for a year following the trade of Byron Maxwell to the Miami Dolphins. It’s not a bad foursome, but it’s also one that’s not going to scare any offenses. The Eagles are set at safety with Malcolm Jenkins and the newly-signed Rodney McLeod.
The Eagles held pre-draft visits for a quartet of cornerbacks, Alabama’s Cyrus Jones, LSU’s Rashard Robinson, West Virginia’s Daryl Worley and Auburn’s Blake Countess. Clemson’s T.J. Green was the only safety Philadelphia brought into the NovaCare Complex.
By the way, I have Jalen Ramsey as both the top-ranked cornerback and safety. Why?
Because he’s “the man.”
Hear that Sammy?
Adrian’s Top 10 Cornerbacks
1. Jalen Ramsey (Florida State)
2. Vernon Hargreaves III (Florida)
3. Mackensie Alexander (Clemson)
4. William Jackson III (Houston)
5. Eli Apple (Ohio State)
6. Kendall Fuller (Virginia Tech)
7. Artie Burns (Miami-Florida)
8. Deiondre’ Hall (Northern Iowa)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg2y-RCZGIU
9. Xavien Howard (Baylor)
10. Cyrus Jones (Alabama)
Adrian’s Top 5 Safeties
1. Jalen Ramsey (Florida State)
2. Vonn Bell (Ohio State)
3. Karl Joseph
4. Darian Thompson (Boise State)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxcB-Mzx2o8
5. Keanu Neal (Florida)
@PHLAnon’s 10 Top Corners
1. Vernon Hargreaves III (Florida) Hargreaves maintains proper positioning and make plays on the ball (38 career PD’s), but his timing and spacing have room for improvement. Although he has only ordinary size in the eyes of scouts, he is above average in three main areas for the position: play speed, instincts and competitive toughness. If he was 6’1″ 200 lbs, people would be drooling over him the way they are Jalen Ramsey. Whoever gets Hargreaves will get a special player that looks very much like Joe Haden.
2. William Jackson III (Houston) Tall corners with length who can run and play the football like Jackson are usually in high demand. Jackson has all of the desired traits for the position, but the league is turning into small and fast or big and strong at the receiver spot and handling those two elements could take a year or two for him to improve in before he becomes a full time starter on the outside.
3. Eli Apple (Ohio State) Apple has size, length and athleticism. He isn’t afraid to be physical and contest at the top of routes, but he’s still learning what he can get away with and will frustrate from time to time drawing penalties as he does learn his way in the NFL. Apple possesses desired length for the position. If he can figure out his technique and how to fight for position quickly, he could be a special talent.
4. Cyrus Jones (Alabama) A press corner who can also play in man, but he likely become a nickel cornerback. His ability to support against the run from the slot and return kicks could help drive his stock up beyond his actual cover abilities. Does lack the desired speed you look for in an outside corner. Also, can he keep from letting others get in his head? He often gets caught up in what the media, and even twitter has to say about him.
5. Mackensie Alexander (Clemson) Alexander has an athletic, compact frame that gives him a build closer to a running back than a corners. However, Alexander passes the eye test. He doesn’t have the preferred height but offers excellent man-to-man cover skills and is described by coaches and teammates as a film junkie. The downside? I see very limited ball skills, and I’m hearing some teams have no interest at all because he is “extremely self-centered, and a real pain in the ass to deal with off the field.”
6. Kendall Fuller (Virginia Tech) His game still needs refinement in areas, but Fuller has very good short-area quickness with the controlled footwork and natural feel in coverage to develop into a reliable NFL starter like his older brother Kyle, except Kendall has better size and potentially a higher ceiling than his brother.
7. Artie Burns (Miami FL) A legitimate NFL prospect with the upside to warrant early-round consideration. He’s at his best in press coverage where he can use his length, aggression and speed to harass wideouts on the perimeter and has the ball skills to punish quarterbacks who challenge him. Also, he has the speed scouts drool over having the background as a track star.
8. Xavien Howard (Baylor) Howard a way more impressive physique than a traditional cornerback, but he possesses the natural coverage skills and confidence to remain on the perimeter. With patience, he should develop into a starter at the next level, as well, projecting best in a press-heavy scheme. He may remind you of Byron Maxwell, which despite our current distaste, isn’t a bad thing.
9. Jalen Mills (LSU) Mills was frequently on an island in college and he responded well with the speed and fluid redirection skills to smother receivers in press, off and zone coverages. Although, Mills has off the field baggage and some middling traits that are question marks. Mills has the athleticism to be secure a nickelback role in the NFL.
10. Tavon Young (Temple) Here is one of my surprise rankings, and this is not a homer rank. Young shows the knack for making plays around the ball. At just 5-9 (and 3/8″) and 180 pounds, Young isn’t imposing but he is scrappy, projecting best as a nickel or dime defender in the NFL. He absolutely showed up and dominated at the Senior Bowl, and will turn some heads once he gains playing time on whatever team he is selected to. I have him highly ranked, but he will more than likely go around the 5th round, and would be a great value selection for the Eagles. He reminds me of a much more physically willing Asante Samuel.
@PHLAnon’s Top 5 Safeties
1. Jalen Ramsey (FSU) A press cover corner in college with disruptive length to fluster receivers and the makeup speed/leaping ability to stymie downfield attacks. Ramsey made more plays on the ball from the slot last year, but his ability to jam and trail receivers limited playmaking opportunities this year. Ramsey has all-pro potential and traits, but could use a little more bravado and attitude play in and play out. He can play corner, but that would be wasting his playmaking ability. Ramsey could be an Eric Berry type star at the safety position.
2. Karl Joseph (WVU) Joseph is a fiercely competitive guy with immense football character. Joseph has proven he can make plays in man coverage or play disciplined enough to be trusted on the back. His average size and subsequent durability will concern some teams due to his aggressive, attacking demeanor; however, Joseph is talented enough to become an early starter and high-impact safety down the road if the medicals check out.
3. Vonn Bell (Ohio State) Bell lacks desired size and physicality, but has the ability to match up in space and is at his best when keeping the action in front of him where he combines his vision, reactive quickness and ball skills to go make plays. He lacks size and isn’t an aggressive tackler so he needs to prove he can run so that he locks in his draft positioning as an early pick.
4. Keanu Neal (Florida) Neal’s his size, athleticism and hitting are the best in this draft. Neal isn’t limited to simple box tasks even though he thrives there. He has all the makings of an early starter and may hear his name called earlier than some might project. Just needs to stay healthy, and if he does we are looking at a guy that will remind you of Kenny Vaccaro.
5. Sean Davis (Maryland) Miscast has shown ball production, tackles and forced fumbles. He has the ability to cover, but his strengths would best be utilized at safety where he has fewer man responsibilities and can be deployed near the line of scrimmage a little more often. Davis is an eventual starter at safety and a big backup at cornerback. He is very similar to our own Eric Rowe, but should absolutely be used at safety to best utilize his talents. If Davis is still on the board when the Eagles pick in the third round, they should sprint up to make him their selection!
@PHLAnon’s Rebuttal
The Eagles have made a lot of moves to try and help strengthen the DB position, and have done a good job. However, you can never have too much depth at this position in today’s NFL. Also, you always want to push your current talent with competition. If Jenkins was to go down with an injury, do we really have a backup we want to rely on? If one of our corners falters or gets injured are our backups ready to pick up the slack and not miss a beat? Draft depth, and build a strong stable!