2019 NFL Scouting Combine: Defensive Back Measurements

Behind the quarterback, offensive lines, and defensive lines, defensive back is probably the most important position in the sport. Both the CB and S positions have been almost impossible to play with the new rules in the game. However, if you are lucky enough to find a gem, they can change the way your entire defense plays. You can lock down one guy and shift the defense to the other side of the field and trust me, there is no bigger adjustment for an offense than having their top target taken away.

Regarding this year’s CB class, there is a consensus top 3: Greedy Williams of LSU, Byron Murphy of Washington, and DeAndre Baker of Georgia. All three guys should be selected in the 1^st round and all three could have an immediate impact on the defense of the teams that select them. LSU has been known as DB University and Washington has produces some really good DBs over the last few years. Georgia is a school that just has a lot of pure athletes. All three should have a good combine show.

Some names at the cornerback to look out for during the combine: Amani Oruwariye of Penn State, Julian Love of Notre Dame, JoeJuan Williams of Vanderbilt, Rock Ya-Sin of Temple, and Lonnie Johnson of Kentucky. Other than Love, who arguably could be the best of the five, the one thing in common with all of the above is their size, as you can see below. If you want a physical CB, this is definitely the year to get one. However, don’t sit too long, most, if not all of these guys could be gone by the 3^rd round.

At the safety position, two names seem to pop up more than the rest when you talk about going in the 1^st or by middle of the 2^nd, Deionte Thompson of Alabama and Nasir Adderley of Delaware. Unlike Alabama, typically you don’t see too many prospects Delaware, but Adderley is ready to impress. He’s a great athlete and shouldn’t have a problem putting up some good numbers. Thompson is, by most accounts, the top S in the draft and is probably the only one that should be guaranteed in the 1^st.

Other safeties of note that could go within the 1^st three rounds are: Taylor Rapp of Washington, Amani Hooker of Iowa, C Gardner-Johnson of Florida, Juan Thornhill of Virginia, Juquan Johnson of Miami, and Darnell Savage Jr of Maryland. The safety group overall is not as strong as the CB group, but there are some names that can be good if drafted into the right system and if they are coached and developed well. However, you can pretty much say that about most players in the draft. Not a great group.

Two DBs to keep an eye on as late risers that could jump pretty high with a good combine are Justin Layne of Michigan St at cornerback and Johnathan Abram of Mississippi St. Layne is a long defensive back that should run a good time. He is a solid tackler and that’s something that is wanted in the league. Abram is a big defensive back with, at best, average hands. It’s hard to be a hitter in the league now, but size and athletic ability can give you a long career in the NFL.

Below are the Defensive Back measurements from the 2019 NFL Combine.