Finding a pair of solid cornerbacks is tough to do for NFL defenses, but many would argue that even that isn't enough in today's league. With a continuous trend towards the passing game, many argue that it is necessary for teams to have a third or fourth cornerback that can cover and there has been a higher valuation placed on nickel cornerbacks that can cover slot receivers.
Position | CB | School | Oregon State |
Height | 6'0" | Weight | 182 lbs. |
Class | Senior | 40-time | --- |
NFL Comparison | Jabari Greer | Projection | 2nd round |
Related: Senior Bowl Coverage | Draft Profiles | East-West Shrine Game
Whether or not, Oregon State's Jordan Poyer is destined to be cast to the slot by the team that drafts him will likely depend on his abilities in the 40 yard dash. Poyer displays plenty of quickness in short spaces and can change directions very quickly, but appears to struggle when it comes to turning to a second gear.
That lack of deep speed could keep Poyer away from being a boundary corner; however, he has plenty of aspects that make him a prospect that isn't expected to fall out of the first two days of the draft.
A very smart and gritty cornerback, Poyer is one that plays with strong technique and is very smooth in and out of his backpedal. He also sees and diagnoses plays very quickly, making him a relatively strong asset against the run despite his lack of strength. Often in the video above you will see him recognize a run play and rush to crash on the receiver and keep himself in the play.
Poyer's aggressiveness and willingness to stick his nose in on run plays combine well with his intelligence for the game and make him a player that many scouts will like. He has had a tendency to miss too many tackles at times, though, by lunging after players and throwing his shoulder at opponents.
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As was previously said, his ceiling may be low when his lack of elite size and strength is coupled with a less-than-elite straight line speed. With more than enough quickness in short space, Poyer seems as though he'd be a natural fit in the slot, although corners with sub-par straight-line speed have proven themselves capable on the boundary in the past.
He has shown that he has ability to be good in both man and zone coverages, although Poyer has struggled in the past with press coverage. His best moments at the collegiate level came mostly when he was off the line of scrimmage.
A first-team AP All-American, Poyer would seem to be a player that can certainly find a role on a team, the question will be where his measurables indicate the best fit is. With tenacity, aggressiveness, intelligence and quickness, Poyer has the tools one would most commonly associate with a solid NFL cornerback, but he doesn't seem to have the elite skills necessary to be a first round draft choice.
While the initial reaction would be to say that Poyer doesn't necessarily match the lengthy corner physique that has come to be associated with Gus Bradley already, behind Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman on the Seahawks depth chart are Marcus Trufant, 5-11, and Jeremy Lane, 6-0. A sixth round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Lane has athleticism similar to Poyer, although he didn't have as illustrious a collegiate career.
Also worth noting, though, is that Poyer was arrested in May 2012 for attempting to enter a nightclub that he had previously been banned from for not being of the legal drinking age.