It will only take one NFL team to believe in the character of former Washington star Marcus Peters for the cornerback to hear his name called in the first round of next week's NFL draft. But for one club, it appears the talented man-to-man coverage ace who was dismissed from UW last November won't get the call in any round.
"We're not taking him, but somebody will and probably early, too," a scout told nj.com.
The report also cited a scout who suggested that Peters landing with a franchise that can provide him with the proper fit is of utmost importance to his NFL future: "When you hear words like uncoachable it scares you. He better go to the right team, or he'll be out of the league in a couple years."
Peters had trouble getting along with a new coaching staff at UW, but is considered one of the most talented cornerbacks available in the draft. The cornerback position is one that NFL teams value highly, which will help Peters' hopes of maintaining a high place on as many draft boards as possible. An AFC scout expects some clubs to overspend as a result.
"This group is deep, I see a lot of good second-round guys," the scout said. "Of course, some of them will go in the first, because teams get desperate for corners."
Quality cornerbacks are tough to find and don't last long in the draft, particularly with the proliferation of spread offenses in college producing quality wide receivers in droves. And there certainly isn't a shortage of teams in need of help at the position. NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein rates cornerback among the top five position needs of 20 clubs. Some have a more pressing need at corner than others, and those could be the ones who "overdraft" second-day cornerbacks on Day 1.
The nj.com report quoted NFL scouts on many of the top cornerbacks available in the draft. A few of the more compelling remarks:
» One scout said his club is evaluating LSU cornerback Jalen Collins, a potential first-round pick, as a safety.
» Another called Oregon's Ifo Ekpre-Olomu the best cornerback for press coverage in the draft, and believes he is better than 2014 first-round pick Jason Verrett (Chargers).
» A scout on UConn cornerback Byron Jones: "He showed he could run at his pro day. That's all that was missing. He's a first-round pick, now. But we're not taking him, not in the first."
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