Adrian Fedkiw
Out of the plethora of talented cornerbacks in this year’s NFL Draft class, Marlon Humphrey is the most physical.
He was in a diverse scheme while at Alabama that asked him to play multiple coverages and techniques, which helps his value immensely.
Humphrey surrendered 31 receptions on 62 passes thrown his way, breaking up seven and intercepting three of them. He was excellent down the stretch, yielding just 80 yards over his final five games of the season.
Let’s check out the tape …
STRENGTHS
Unlike Gareon Conley, who struggles with his tackling, Humphrey sets a tone with it. He’s at his best reading wide receiver screens, quickly getting off blocks and attacking.
Humphrey recorded 18 pass breakups during his collegiate career and most of them came in the short to intermediate range. He’s agile and fluid enough to mirror a wide receiver’s route and uses his physicality at the catch point.
Humphrey uses his length and speed on the boundaries to stay in the hip pocket of wide receivers and steers them along the sideline.
Although Humphrey played multiple coverages and techniques, I feel that he’s at his best in zone coverage. His “zone eyes” are top-notch and his ability to analyze route combinations is impressive.
Humphrey uses his physicality to disrupt routes at the line of scrimmage with his press. He has a strong and powerful punch and isn’t afraid to intimidate his opposition, like the first clip with Ross where Humphrey is jostling with him despite it being a running play.
WEAKNESSES
Humphrey’s big issue is playing the deep ball and this is a big concern at the next level. While he does a good job riding the hip of wideouts along the sidelines, he gets beaten on double moves and is slow on locating and making plays on the ball.
CONCLUSION
Humphrey’s game reminds me of Xavier Rhodes due to his ability to tackle but struggles with the deep ball. Rhodes, however, has improved in defending the vertical game since coming out of college. Out of the duo of Conley and Humphrey, who might be available when the Eagles pick at No. 14, I believe Conley is the better fit due to his pure coverage skills out of press man and off-coverage.