PHILADELPHIA – With the No. 16 pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Marlon Humphrey, a cornerback from Alabama.
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Here's some information on Humphrey's draft profile from NFL.com:
Although his father, Bobby, was a star running back in Tuscaloosa, Marlon was not solely a legacy pickup. He was a national All-American pick out of the famed Hoover High program, as well as a state champion sprinter and hurdler. Nick Saban redshirted him in 2014 due to the team's depth in the secondary, a luxury possible for no other team in the country. Humphrey started all 15 games the following year, earning Freshman All-SEC notice (45 tackles, 3.5 for loss, three INT, eight PBU) for the national champs. He again locked down a starting spot in 2016, intercepting two passes and breaking up five others. While he didn't earn all-conference honors, his toughness in coverage throughout the season intrigued scouts.
Strengths
Has the body type and athletic traits that are out of central casting. Fluid hips and hard-charging makeup speed. Well-versed in a variety of coverages. Plays with disciplined eyes and good balance between high-low responsibilities in zone. Good short-area acceleration to close out receivers and attack throwing lanes. Reactive athleticism helps erase coverage mistakes. Extremely competitive with an edge that spikes after he's beaten. Timid receivers should take the day off. Aggressive from press with a powerful punch. Looks to intimidate when the opportunity arises. Drives receivers out of bounds and out of the play if their vertical release takes them too close to the boundary. Will not let a blocking receiver punk him. Tears through blocker and attacks downhill. Searches for opportunities to strip the ball; forced three fumbles in 2016.
Weaknesses
Impatient from press coverage. Opens inside or outside too early rather than waiting for a clear declare from receiver. Struggles to stay in phase throughout the route and allows separation opportunities. Feet are fast but sloppy. Footwork becomes bulky and balance diminishes when matched against quality route workers. Plays a scrambling style of coverage that is too reliant upon his athletic gifts. Issues playing the deep ball are a concern. From off coverage, overreacts to route fakes and opens the door to a big play. Allowed more than 19 yards per completion as a starter. Can be slow to locate the ball and finds himself out of optimal position to play the ball.
Expectations
Draft projection: Round 1
NFL comparison: Jimmy Smith
Talented height-weight-speed prospect who comes from NFL bloodlines. Might need time for his technique to catch up with his traits. Coverage inconsistencies could cause him to struggle against quality competition early on, but his mental makeup and recovery talent should help him pull through. Has the instincts and run-support skills to become an early starter for a zone-cover defense, but it will be hard for teams looking for a lockdown, man corner to pass on all of those physical gifts early in the draft.
-- Lance Zierlein