Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Strong and physical Rhodes is the rare cornerback with the size to physically match-up with tall receivers and the athleticism and speed to stay with the fastest ones. Quick to jam receiver, Rhodes can turn and run with receiver off the LOS and has the speed to stay on receiver's hip on routes all over the field. Instinctive and aware, Rhodes reads the QB/Pass and route combinations well to consistently close explosively on the receiver. Showing no hesitation, Rhodes uses his front arm well to reach in front of receiver to break up pass without committing the penalty. When lined up off the LOS he reads the quick pass to receiver behind the LOS, closes explosively and can make the blow up hit/tackle right after the catch. Unlike many cornerbacks, Rhodes shows no hesitation coming up the field fast to make tackles in run support.

WEAKNESSES - Rhodes needs to improve hand-use/technique when he jams receiver because too often his bad technique allows man to release off the LOS easier than he should be able to. On film there were few things to be concerned with, but at the Combine and his Pro Day, his work in the positional drills was not impressive and has led some NFL personnel to question how effective he can be in "off" and zone coverages in the NFL. During these positional workouts he looked stiff/tight in hips, struggled to change directions and stumbled often, which is shocking for how well he moved on film.

SUMMARY - Highly productive whenever in the lineup at Florida State, Rhodes' combination of good height (6'1), long arms, top athleticism and speed give him a skill set that few NFL cornerbacks possess. On film I was constantly impressed with his ability to plant, drive and close explosively on passes in front of him in time to make a play to break up the pass. Although his positional workouts at the Combine and Pro Day were not impressive, I will not allow it to alter my grade that is based on thorough film evaluation. Overall, Rhodes is going to be a first round pick in April and I am confident in his ability to be a good starting cornerback in the NFL. From film study, he looks to be the rare cornerback who has the size and athleticism to excel in all types of coverage. .

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Trufant possesses very good height and length for an NFL CB. He uses his length well in man coverage, as he times his breaks well and is able to consistently reach around his man to break up passes. He is very physical at the LOS, which allows him to redirect his man off the LOS and stay on his hip out of the break. Numerous times in games I evaluated, he was so physical and persistent off the ball, that receivers either gave up on or cut off routes early. He displays a smooth pedal and is fluid in transition, and does an excellent job of looking back to the QB to locate the ball in the air.

WEAKNESSES - Although he is able to hide it by being so physical at the POA, Trufant needs to add bulk to his frame for the next level. This issue is often exposed on run plays, as he struggles to disengage from blockers when he lets them get on top of him and initiate contact. While he flashes the ability to play the run effectively, he is too often tentative to attack and can be sealed out of the play. QBs were able to consistently complete passes in front of him in games I evaluated, as he did not display the closing burst needed to consistently break on plays in front when he didn't get an early read on his man's route. Although he does an excellent job of breaking up passes, he does not look comfortable catching the ball and will miss INT opportunities.

SUMMARY - Scouts and the media have had high expectations for Desmond Trufant because of his pedigree (his older brother Marcus plays for the Seahawks), and he has not failed to disappoint. Although he needs to add bulk to his frame, he has the length and competitiveness to excel in press coverage. He is extremely physical with receivers at the LOS and seems to have a knack for wearing his man down as the game progresses. He does not display innate explosiveness breaking from off the ball, but possesses the natural instincts needed to recover effectively as well as locate and play the ball in the air. He needs to show the same aggressiveness against the run that he does in coverage, but he clearly has the skill set to start in the NFL as a rookie. He will likely be drafted late on day one to a team that like Atlanta that prefers its corners to be physical and aggressive on the perimeter.

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Hayden is an outstanding athlete that possesses ideal all-around athleticism and very good length for the position. He is smooth in his pedal and displays fluid hips in transition, allowing him to accelerate effectively out of his breaks. He demonstrates excellent closing burst from off the ball, and was able to consistently cut off routes in front of him from both off and zone coverage in games I evaluated. In zone coverage he does an excellent job of reading the QB and attacking the ball in the air, allowing him to consistently contest catches. He possesses the top end speed to run with all receivers in space, and has the closing burst to recover if he falls behind in transition. He is an outstanding run defender that displays excellent read and react skills, and the ability to effectively challenge and defeat blockers in space. Despite coming up so aggressively in run support, he consistently breaks down in space with excellent base and leverage, allowing him to hold outside containment and finish tackles. Once he has his man wrapped up, he aggressively targets the ball and was able to force multiple fumbles in games I graded.

WEAKNESSES - Hayden looks thin "on the hoof" and needs to add a solid 10 lbs. to his frame. In man coverage he can get exposed at times when he peeks in the backfield too long, as he has a propensity to jump his first instinct, leaving him very susceptible to double moves. His aggressiveness downfield at times results in him being too physical, resulting in him taking pass interference penalties when his positioning should instead result in him breaking up passes. Despite his ability to cut off routes effectively, he wasn't as productive as he should have been in college, as he dropped multiple INT opportunities in games I evaluated. During a November 2012 practice he tore his vena cava (main heart artery), and needed heart surgery to save his life.

SUMMARY - DJ Hayden is one of the most athletically gifted and instinctual players in this draft, and all things being equal, would likely be a first round pick. He has elite deep and closing speed, and is extremely explosive breaking on the ball. He is smooth and fluid operating in space, allowing him to stay on his man's hip in man coverage as well as effectively break and close from off the ball. He is also excellent in run support, as he is aggressive against blockers and has a knack for forcing fumbles by ripping the ball out. His tendency to spy on the QB and guess in man coverage will lead to him giving up huge plays at the next level, and he does not have natural hands when trying to catch the ball, but the primary concern with him stems around his long term health, as his freak injury in November almost ended his life. He is a pro bowl caliber player for a cover two team, and clearly possesses the physical skill set to develop into a very good starter for any other scheme if he can learn to play more disciplined in man coverage. Projecting where he will be selected is next to impossible without full access to his medicals, but with if a team feels confident his heart will not be an issue going forward he could be selected as high as round two.

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - With excellent height and long arms, Amerson looks the part of the tall cornerback that every NFL team is looking for. Aligning off the receiver in "off" and "zone" coverage, Amerson is consistently productive reading the quarterback/pass correctly. Able to plant, drive and close quickly from off alignment, Amerson is often able to get to receiver in time to either make a play on the ball or deliver a hard hit right after the catch. His loose hips, smooth athleticism and size allow him to cover most receivers well in tight man coverage and with his long arms he has the ability to reach in front of receiver to break up pass. He really excels lining up off receiver with help over the top, so that he can focus on coming up the field to make plays on the ball. Unlike many cornerbacks, he has consistently shown a willingness to come up the field quickly in run support and on short passes in front of him. When he stays over feet and under control he can be a strong, physical wrap-up tackler. Natural hands, ball skills and jumping ability allow Amerson to high point and intercept passes with ease. Experienced playing on special teams coverage units, Amerson will contribute on teams while developing as a cornerback.

WEAKNESSES - While Amerson is quick and agile, he lacks the elite playing speed and explosive burst that top level cornerbacks usually possess. His lack of top end speed will hinder his ability to stay with fast receivers on deep routes and keep him from catching up if he allows separation. Relying on athleticism has allowed Amerson to shine at NC State, but if he does not improve his footwork/technique he will not be as productive in the NFL as he has been in college. He generally uses a side pedal/shuffle and is not quick to transition out of it, which hinders his abiltiy to close as quickly as he is physically capable of on passes. Although he is willing to come up and tackle, he tends to get out of control and misses tackles he is in position to make.

SUMMARY - After a breakout 2011 season, Amerson was viewed by many as a potential top ten pick in the 2013 Draft. However, as I began breaking down the film it became clear that he lacks the top end speed and catch up burst that premier cornerbacks have. While he primarily played cornerback at NC State, with his size, long arms, willinging to hit, instincts and ball skills he will likely be considered by many teams as a safety. His versatility adds to his value because he can be moved around within the defense to help them deal with the different match-ups that opposing offenses try to put them in. Overall, I would advise Amerson to stay in school for his senior season because with improved footwork he could produce at a higher level, which would lead to him being drafted higher. He reminds me of current Seahawks' cornerback Brandon Browner and is the reason that I would draft him in the third round. I believe he can become a quality starting cornerback who offers excellent versatility to defense and can contribute on special teams.

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Slay has the combination of excellent height, long arms and the elite speed that NFL teams go crazy for. Although his hip turn could be improved/tightened, he consistently has shown the foot quickness and hips to turn and run with receiver off the LOS without losing a step. His body control and coordination really show up in his ability to maintain balance and proper positioning while in tight man when receiver makes a sharp cut. Using his long arms and good ball skills, Slay proved in 2012 that he can reach in front of receiver to break up passes without committing the penalty. When he maintains good bend and footwork he can plant, drive and close quickly on passes from "off" and "zone" alignments. A good form tackler, he consistently wraps up and gets ball carrier down when he wants to.

WEAKNESSES - A late bloomer, Slay is still developing as a player and is a better athlete than football player now. He needs to work on his technique as it hinders his ability to play up to his athleticism consistently. While he can flip his hips to turn and run most of the time, the turn is not as smooth and quick as it could be and will need to improve to handle NFL receivers. Additionally, when playing off the receiver he will get a little high and it limits his ability to transition and close as quickly as he is capable of. On running plays away he does not chase to make plays and even on runs to his side he seems willing to let his teammates make the tackle at times rather than coming up and doing so. Slay does not consistently read the QB/Pass consistently and can be turned around by good double moves, so he must improve his focus and awareness to become the cornerback he has the physical talent to be. .

SUMMARY - Constantly referred to as "the other corner" at Mississippi State because Johnathan Banks had been so good throughout his career, Slay stepped up and really improved as a senior. After playing in every game in 2011, his first at Mississippi State after transferring from JC, Slay showed marked improvement in his footwork, change of direction, ball skills and overall production as a senior. Blessed with excellent height at 6'0, athleticism, speed and ball skills, Slay will likely turn out to be a better NFL player than he was at Mississippi State. In addition, his time playing on special teams in 2011 will likely help him to make an immediate impact in the NFL while he continues to develop as a cornerback. Overall, I have a sneaky feeling that Slay is going to be one of the surprises choices in the last ten picks of the first round or first ten picks of the second round as tall cornerbacks with elite athletic traits and ball skills are nearly impossible to find.