2019 NFL Draft: BTD’s Favorites - Defensive Backs

With the 2019 NFL Draft sitting just over a week away, we decided to take a look at some of our favorite prospects in the upcoming selection process from each different position group. Starting with defensive backs and ending with quarterbacks on next Wednesday (the day before the NFL Draft begins), we’ll highlight some new prospects every day that we think you should keep an eye on.

The_Coach: Rock Ya-Sin (Temple)

Standing in at 6 feet tall and 195 pounds, Rock Ya-Sin is the prototypical size of an NFL cornerback, with the on-ball skills and overall athletic potential to match. A transfer from Presbyterian, if Ya-Sin played at a school more prominent in the national picture, his unforgettable name may be that of a household one. Ya-Sin tallied 47 tackles, 2 interceptions and 12 passes deflected during his senior campaign, before impressing at the NFL Combine with a 4.51 forty-time, a 39.5 inch vertical jump and a 120 inch broad jump.

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Marcus Russell: Xavier Crawford (CMU)

Beaver nation is familiar with Xavier Crawford from Central Michigan. The former Beav, graduate transferred to CMU; following Cory Hall after he was not retained. The Chippewas were thrilled to have him and he garnered first-team All-Mid-American Conference honors as an 11-game starter, making 24 tackles (three for loss), intercepting one pass, and recording 12 pass breakups.

Crawford stands at 5-foot-11 and 187-pounds. He ran a 4.48 forty at the combine and recorded a 37.5 inch vertical. Crawford’s biggest strength is his consistency and long arms, which lead to plenty of pass-break ups. He could also be an asset on special teams for an NFL team, which helps his chances of being drafted on day three (rounds 4-7).

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Ross Parker: Amani Oruwariye (Penn St.)

Oruwariye is the prototype of what the NFL is looking for in a cornerback in today’s game, as the Nittany Lion alum checks in at 6-foot-1 and weighs 204 lbs. His size and experience in the Big 10 conference make him an ideal candidate to man up against the “X” receiver on opposing teams in the NFL. He is a scheme-versatile defender and could fit in any defense from a press-man to a zone 3 coverage scheme.

One of the biggest things knocks against Oruwariye is his breaks on receivers. He doesn’t possess great click-and-close ability, so off-man coverage isn’t an ideal scheme for him. Outside of this complaint, Oruwariye possesses possibly the highest floor as well as the highest ceiling of any DB in this class based on his size, experience, technique and ball skills. He will be drafted and will start right away for any number of CB-needy teams. It’s not a stretch to say that, with proper coaching, Oruwariye could become the best cornerback of this draft class. Expect Oruwariye to hear his name called in the early second round, or possibly the late first.

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Andrew Provencher: Nasir Adderley (Delaware)

In this cornerback class the players with good college tape don’t have ideal athleticism, and the players with who do have that athleticism don’t have the best tape. Nasir Adderley, a safety out of Delaware, has both. He possesses the range, athleticism, and ball skills to be a difference maker as a single-high safety in the NFL. Some might be concerned about Adderley’s level of competition out of Delaware, but his strong showing in the Senior Bowl helps to alleviate those concerns. His man coverage skills could use a little work, but he has experience at cornerback and the athleticism to grow in this area. Look for him to be drafted towards the end of the first round or beginning the second.

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

2019 NFL Draft Preview Content

• Wednesday (4/17) - Defensive Backs
• Thursday (4/18) - Linebackers
• Friday (4/19) - Defensive Linemen
• Saturday (4/20) - Offensive Linemen
• Sunday (4/21) - Tight Ends
• Monday (4/22) - Wide Receivers
• Tuesday (4/23) - Running Backs
• Wednesday (4/24) - Quarterbacks