2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Florida State SAF Derwin James

PLAYER PROFILE

Height: 6-2

Weight: 215

College: Florida State

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

TRAITS BREAKDOWN

SIZE/PHYSICAL TRAITS (5/5)

SPEED/RANGE (13.5/15)

TECHNIQUE/AGILITY (13.5/15)

RECOGNITION/INSTINCTS (17/20)

Good play recognition — processes play-action quickly and doesn’t bite hard on play fakes; sniffs out run plays
Good instincts — always around the ball
Leadership ability — made defensive calls and helped teammates get aligned
Could do a better job of reading quarterbacks’ eyes in zone coverage

COVER SKILLS (18/20)

Very good man coverage ability — allows very little separation and runs routes for receivers
Has shown the ability to lock up running backs, tight ends and slot receivers in man coverage
Pretty good in zone coverage — good awareness, but can be a step slow in zone at times
Can play effectively at strong safety, free safety, slot corner or dime linebacker

BALL SKILLS/PLAYMAKING (7.5/10)

TACKLING/RUN SUPPORT (9.5/10)

Very good tackler — consistently breaks down and secures tackles (only missed 15 of 160 career tackle attempts, per PFF)
Somewhat of a catch-tackler
Good stack-and-shed technique
Hard-hitter
Generally takes good pursuit angles to the ball-carrier
Effort wanes vs. the run at times — will quit on plays early and not pursue from the backside

BLITZ ABILITY (5/5)

Very good blitzer
Displays good timing and explosive first-step quickness
Good flexibility to dip underneath offensive linemen
Length makes it difficult to throw over him when he gets his hands up on blitzes
Very strong — has generated push against offensive linemen
Could add a couple pass rush moves to his arsenal

DURABILITY (-1)

VERDICT

NFL COMPARISON: Reshad Jones

GRADE: 88.00/100.00 — (EARLY) 1ST ROUND — Good player with Pro Bowl potential

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