Alexis Chassen
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Ohio State CB Denzel Ward’s 2018 NFL Combine results and draft projection
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The top Buckeye prospect can solidify a first-round pick with a solid performance in Indy.
The top prospect out of Ohio State this draft season is cornerback Denzel Ward. He’s been getting first-round mocks since late in the college season, and his decision to declare early for the NFL Draft was solidified when he chose to sit out of the Cotton Bowl — the only Buckeye to do so. One of only three Buckeyes to leave some college eligibility on the table, Ward is ready to prove that he should be the next graduate of #DBU with a Round 1 pick.
With three years of game film under his belt, the cornerback finished his collegiate career notching 67 total tackles (47 solo), 24 pass breakups and two interceptions. He earned consensus All-America honors in 2017, thanks to a career-best season with 17 passes defended -- 15 PBUs and 2 INTs —, good for fourth-highest single season total in Buckeye history. Ward finished his Ohio State career having played in 38 games with 13 starts.
The fact that he didn’t often crack the starting lineup isn’t entirely surprising given the host of NFL talent that he was buried behind on the depth chart. Ohio State had three DBs drafted in the first round of last year’s draft (Marshon Lattimore, Malik Hooker, Gareon Conley) and six DBs in the past three drafts. Ward will look to continue that streak and make, now-former, secondary coach Kerry Coombs one of the most successful assistants ever.
Mike Mayock said former Ohio State CB Denzel Ward is a virtual lock to go in the top 10 in the NFL draft. Mayock has rated Ward as the top CB prospect in this class.
— Garrett Stepien (@GarrettStepien) February 26, 2018
This will be Ward’s first time in front of scouts post-college ball, and,with a good Combine performance, could secure himself a top pick come April.
Scouting Report
Here’s what the pros are saying in his NFL Combine Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS: Supreme athletic ability. Expected to be impressive Combine tester. Can park in a deep squat under wide receiver’s chin at the line. Patient from press showing no panic or hurry in initial movements. Can pedal and mirror for a long time without opening hips. Tremendously gifted footwork. Mirrors and matches with good balance throughout the route. Matches changing route speed stride for stride. Plays from low side of route to take away comebacks. Uses big burst for recovery and closeouts. Carries true long speed down the field. Reads clues from off-man. Reads slants and drives in front of the route in search of an interception. Allowed just over 32 percent completions over last two years. Ballhawk with sudden hands to attack the throw. Bats throws down and will swirl arms around the catch point to prevent target from finishing the catch.
WEAKNESSES: Frame is somewhat slight and he feels small in coverage at times. Lacks play strength to jam and disrupt. Appears to avoid route contact so he doesn’t upset coverage balance. Physical receivers can body him around at the top of the route. Needs to turn and find football sooner with back to the ball. Always around the throw, but lack of size and length shows up with “just misses” in pass defense. Several pass breakups came on throws with poor placement. Coverage benefitted from deep, talented rush unit up front. Has issues disengaging from big blocking receivers. Big backs drag him for a ride in run support.
Player schedule
Stay tuned to Land-Grant Holy Land for performance and quote updates throughout the NFL Scouting Combine.
Continue reading...
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The top Buckeye prospect can solidify a first-round pick with a solid performance in Indy.
The top prospect out of Ohio State this draft season is cornerback Denzel Ward. He’s been getting first-round mocks since late in the college season, and his decision to declare early for the NFL Draft was solidified when he chose to sit out of the Cotton Bowl — the only Buckeye to do so. One of only three Buckeyes to leave some college eligibility on the table, Ward is ready to prove that he should be the next graduate of #DBU with a Round 1 pick.
With three years of game film under his belt, the cornerback finished his collegiate career notching 67 total tackles (47 solo), 24 pass breakups and two interceptions. He earned consensus All-America honors in 2017, thanks to a career-best season with 17 passes defended -- 15 PBUs and 2 INTs —, good for fourth-highest single season total in Buckeye history. Ward finished his Ohio State career having played in 38 games with 13 starts.
The fact that he didn’t often crack the starting lineup isn’t entirely surprising given the host of NFL talent that he was buried behind on the depth chart. Ohio State had three DBs drafted in the first round of last year’s draft (Marshon Lattimore, Malik Hooker, Gareon Conley) and six DBs in the past three drafts. Ward will look to continue that streak and make, now-former, secondary coach Kerry Coombs one of the most successful assistants ever.
Mike Mayock said former Ohio State CB Denzel Ward is a virtual lock to go in the top 10 in the NFL draft. Mayock has rated Ward as the top CB prospect in this class.
— Garrett Stepien (@GarrettStepien) February 26, 2018
This will be Ward’s first time in front of scouts post-college ball, and,with a good Combine performance, could secure himself a top pick come April.
Scouting Report
Here’s what the pros are saying in his NFL Combine Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS: Supreme athletic ability. Expected to be impressive Combine tester. Can park in a deep squat under wide receiver’s chin at the line. Patient from press showing no panic or hurry in initial movements. Can pedal and mirror for a long time without opening hips. Tremendously gifted footwork. Mirrors and matches with good balance throughout the route. Matches changing route speed stride for stride. Plays from low side of route to take away comebacks. Uses big burst for recovery and closeouts. Carries true long speed down the field. Reads clues from off-man. Reads slants and drives in front of the route in search of an interception. Allowed just over 32 percent completions over last two years. Ballhawk with sudden hands to attack the throw. Bats throws down and will swirl arms around the catch point to prevent target from finishing the catch.
WEAKNESSES: Frame is somewhat slight and he feels small in coverage at times. Lacks play strength to jam and disrupt. Appears to avoid route contact so he doesn’t upset coverage balance. Physical receivers can body him around at the top of the route. Needs to turn and find football sooner with back to the ball. Always around the throw, but lack of size and length shows up with “just misses” in pass defense. Several pass breakups came on throws with poor placement. Coverage benefitted from deep, talented rush unit up front. Has issues disengaging from big blocking receivers. Big backs drag him for a ride in run support.
- Day 1 (Friday, Mar. 2): Travel, registration, hospital pre-exam, orientation, interviews
- Day 2 (Saturday, Mar. 3): Measurements, medical exams, interviews
- Day 3 (Sunday, Mar. 4): Psychological testing, NFLPA meeting, media, bench press
- Day 4 (Monday, Mar. 5): On-field workout and position drills
- Height: 5-10 7/8”
- Weight: 183 lbs
- Hand size: 8 6/8”
- Arm length: 31 2/8”
- Wingspan: 74 6/8”
Stay tuned to Land-Grant Holy Land for performance and quote updates throughout the NFL Scouting Combine.
Continue reading...