DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2018 NFL Season 2018 NFL Draft Corners - what does Greggggg Williams want?

Hi all - with there being a good chance we take 1 or 2 corners in this class (and perhaps early), what type of cornerback does Gregg Williams favor? Reading up on some of the prospects, it appears some are really good at man-to-man but struggle in zone or vice versa. I know we played our corners almost exclusively off the line of scrimmage with 5-10 yard cushion but I think that was more an indication of talent then scheme preference.

I've seen where Ward, Alexander, Hughes are physical and play more man where as Jackson is best in zone.

Thoughts?

Strengths

Looks the part with good muscularity and thin ankles. Fills aggressively and supports the run. Likes to hit. Plays with confidence and carries a swagger. Good attitude and football demeanor. Competes hard and brings energy to the field. Good eyes and route recognition. Has experience matching up with slot receivers in nickel coverage and has returned punts. Very good career production on the ball. Proven special teams coverage defender.
Weaknesses

Is short and short-armed. Plays a lot into the boundary. Shows some tightness in his hips. Average transitional quickness -- lacks ideal burst and acceleration to recover and close ground. Can do a better job disengaging from blocks. Most of interception production stemmed from tips and overthrown balls (not created). Average hands.

System Fit

Gaines is a zone corner and that is certainly his best fit. That is what he was trained to play at Missouri and while he has experience in man, he is far better in what he brings to the table for zone. He has a good grasp on how to play it and what he can do there to help a team.

Gaines has shown he can play man and there is potential to work with, but he needs to get more attuned to small details and get the most out of himself on every play and not give up any steps by simply not being in a good position to start the play.

Gaines seems best suited to help as a depth corner at least initially, but he does appear to have the long term ability to play a starter in a zone scheme if he can keep getting better physically and just eliminate some bad habits.

Gaines’ skillset and comfort playing deep could also have him get some consideration as a free safety or, should he have a long career, could be a second act in his career.

I think Ward is going to be our 2nd first round pick.

The Bills ran some form of zone coverage on 73.6 percent of their coverage snaps last season and White saw plenty of success within the variety of zone coverages that Buffalo likes to run, as he held opposing quarterbacks to a 72.6 passer rating on throws into his zone. Where he especially shined was when he had the opportunity to lock on in man coverage. White was targeted 28 times in man coverage and he surrendered just ten catches for a total of 118 yards, holding opposing quarterbacks to just a 58.3 passer rating when targeting White’s man coverage. PFF’s Rookie of the Year had a 25.0 PMI on targets into his coverage when playing man, he had a 19.1 PMI when targeted in zone.

Did we all miss Wojo's question? He didn't ask about which corners we like, he started the thread with the question "What is Williams looking for in a corner?"

I think ideally, Williams would corners who can press the Wr.
He wants to get pressure on the Qb but you can't do that if your corners are playing 10 yards off the LOS. The DE beats the tackle then the Qb takes the quick easy 5 yards.

We didn't do that last year because if we had tried that with that crew of Cb's then you would have seen why Peppers was playing so far back.

I think Ward is going to be our 2nd first round pick.

Hi all - with there being a good chance we take 1 or 2 corners in this class (and perhaps early), what type of cornerback does Gregg Williams favor? Reading up on some of the prospects, it appears some are really good at man-to-man but struggle in zone or vice versa. I know we played our corners almost exclusively off the line of scrimmage with 5-10 yard cushion but I think that was more an indication of talent then scheme preference.

I've seen where Ward, Alexander, Hughes are physical and play more man where as Jackson is best in zone.

Thoughts?

Greggggg

Hi all - with there being a good chance we take 1 or 2 corners in this class (and perhaps early), what type of cornerback does Gregg Williams favor? Reading up on some of the prospects, it appears some are really good at man-to-man but struggle in zone or vice versa. I know we played our corners almost exclusively off the line of scrimmage with 5-10 yard cushion but I think that was more an indication of talent then scheme preference.

I've seen where Ward, Alexander, Hughes are physical and play more man where as Jackson is best in zone.

Thoughts?