Jason Verrett – TCU

by Dave Syvertsen, Ourlads’ Draft Analyst

There is a thought out there regarding the future of, in my opinion, the second toughest position to play in the NFL.  The success of Seattle’s defense is leading some to the notion that finding the tall, long, and fast cornerbacks is the most effective way to offset the surge in passing offense.  Teams always try to play the role of copycat to successful franchises and the value of bigger cover men will increase in this year’s draft.  Names like Keith McGill from Utah (6’3/214), Nebraska’s Stanley Jean-Baptiste (6’3/215), and Pierre Desir from Lindenwood (6’1/195) are a few prospects that are shooting up boards because of their size alone.  While the above average size will always help, it doesn’t factor in my grading process too much.

I’ve held on to this approach since I started scouting defensive backs years ago.  Give me a cover man that has the ability to change direction at full speed with ease and fluidity over a guy with long arms and deep speed any day.  The #2 cornerback in this class according to my grading sheet is TCU’s Jason Verrett.  He is listed at 5’10/176  but may even be a bit shorter, well find out next week in Indianapolis.  While that is near or at the bottom rung when it comes to the size of an NFL cornerback, I am as confident in his ability to make an impact at the next level as anyone.  Verrett has some of the best body control you’ll ever find in a college player, at any position.  That balance combined with top tier movement ability in short space and deep speed prevents receivers from gaining separation from him.  Nothing makes a quarterback more uneasy than cornerbacks who are constantly in the hip pocket of a receiver they are covering.  A throw that is just a tad behind the intended target could easily be picked off by the savvy Verrett.

While Richard Sherman is the new prototype for the position, players like him don’t grow on trees.  I still believe the safer bet is to draft a corner that has the movement ability rather than the ideal size.

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