2012 NFL Draft: Ryan Steed Scouting Report

Slowly but surely through the draft process fans can get an idea about which players could possibly be on their favorite team's draft radar. While first round interest is usually hidden by teams, in the two years that BCC has charted the reported interest they've shown only two players (Tyson Alualu and D'Anthony Smith) have not been listed.

So this year I will be writing a short scouting report on every player that the Jaguars have reportedly spoken with or brought in for a visit starting with Furman CB Ryan Steed who said in a draft journal that the Jaguars were among the several teams that spoke with him during his week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL.

Pros: Well rounded player with ability to cover, tackle and make plays on the ball. Fluid athlete with good balance to hit receivers on the line, turn his hips and staying with receivers hip to hip. Good size for the position with long arms to add length. Did very well against Appalachian State WR Brian Quick whenever the two faced each other. Team captain. CBS's Rob Rang said Steed could jump into the 1st round if he runs fast enough at the NFL Combine.

Cons: Played at the FCS level. Questionable speed for the NFL level (4.42-4.59 range). Subtle weaknesses in his backpedal or other techniques that may not have been exposed by FCS talent or fear to throw his direction.

----

Steed took over for William Middleton at Furman when Middleton graduated and moved on to the NFL and has played very well in his place. Steed, Josh Norman and Janoris Jenkins round out an extremely strong small school class of cornerbacks that all performed very well during the all-star bowls. However, weaknesses are difficult to find on any cornerback that was dominant at the collegiate level because most they are a very easy position to avoid completely for opposing offensive play callers.