Jerome Couplin scouting report

S Jerome Couplin (William & Mary) - Undrafted free agent

William & Mary's Jerome Couplin was one of two undrafted safeties who signed with the Detroit Lions this year. He actually visited the Lions before the draft, and after he officially signed, Martin Mayhew highlighted him as one of three undrafted free agents that the team is especially "excited about."

Measurables

Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 213 pounds

Stats

2010: 6 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PD, 1 TD
2011: 47 tackles, 1 INT, 7 PD, 1 FF
2012: 91 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 3 INT, 7 PD, 2 FF
2013: 113 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 6 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD

Random fact

In 2013, Couplin was named a first-team FCS All-American by the Associated Press and other publications.

What the experts are saying

Draft Insider:

Positive: Three-year starter who lead William & Mary in tackles every season since his sophomore campaign. Good size, gives effort defending the run, and willingly throws his pads into the pile. Fluid going sideline to sideline, flashes cover skills in the middle of the field, and shows the ability to get outside the numbers to make plays. Heavy hitter who squares into runners and wraps up.

Negative: Struggles making plays with his back to the ball. Has difficulty handling slot receivers.

Detroit Lions Draft:

FCS-level tackling machine in a strong conference at that level. He’s 6’2″ and a very solid 215, ran a 4.5 flat at his pro day in freezing drizzle (thanks Chiefsspin!)

Videos

(via Draft Breakdown)

Outlook for 2014

With Glover Quin, James Ihedigbo, Don Carey, DeJon Gomes and Isa Abdul-Quddus currently ahead of him on the safety depth chart, Couplin will need to put together a strong summer to have a shot at making the 53-man roster. More than anything, he will have to really showcase his skills on special teams to make the team. If he's unable to survive the final round of cuts this year, chances are he will at least be a strong candidate for the practice squad.

Previous scouting reports

Draft picks: TE Eric Ebron, OLB Kyle Van Noy, C Travis Swanson, CB Nevin Lawson, DE Larry Webster, DT Caraun Reid, WR TJ Jones, K Nate Freese

UDFAs: QB James Franklin, FB Chad Abram, WR Andrew Peacock, TE Jacob Maxwell, OT Cornelius Lucas, OG D.J. Morrell, OG Alex Bullard, OG A.J. Dalton, DE Kalonji Kashama, DT Greg Hickman, LB Justin Jackson, CB Mohammed Seisay, S Gabe Lynn