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We’re officially just three weeks from the 2019 NFL Draft, and the Detroit Lions are entering the home stretch of building their big boards and listing their biggest team needs.
One of those top needs is likely cornerback. Though the team signed both Justin Coleman and Rashaan Melvin in free agency, outside cornerback remains one of their top long-term needs. Though I believe Melvin is an adequate starter for 2019, the plan beyond that is unknown, and it’s better to be proactive about a position like cornerback than to wait until it’s too late.
This draft has some solid depth at the cornerback position, but it’s hard to see one specific player above the rest of the field. So today’s Question of the Day is:
Which 2019 NFL Draft cornerback prospect is your favorite?
My answer: Notice I said “favorite” cornerback prospect and not necessary the top prospect.
To me, the player that I enjoyed watching the most is Penn State’s Amani Oruwariye. Of all the corners I’ve watched in this draft class, Oruwariye displays some of the best technique of all them—from footwork to hip fluidity. I also think he remains quite flexible in terms of man vs. zone coverage, and though he played off-coverage a lot at Penn State, he’s shown enough to believe he can play press, if needed. That sort of versatility and football IQ is going to make him a very valuable asset for some NFL team.
As a result, Oruwariye put up some impressive numbers over his past two seasons as a Nittany Lion. 18 passes defended, seven interceptions in the past two seasons.
The only glaring weakness in his game is his hesitation to tackle, and given the Lions’ perceived importance on tackling, it may put him out of the running in Detroit.
Still, I think Oruwariye is headed for a very successful NFL career, and I’m hoping he plays most of it in Detroit.
Your turn.