2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jordan Poyer - CB, Oregon State

A good defense has a good stable of Cornerbacks, ready to play at any time, and it's no coincidence that the Colts won a Super Bowl and their 3rd and 4th CBs were a 1st and 2nd round pick. Corners are great to find in the middle rounds, and one guy the Colts should take a look at in Round 3 is Jordan Poyer from Oregon State.

Poyer started all but one game in the final three seasons he played in Corvallis, and had a monster senior season, being named to the AP First Team All-American team opposite Alabama's Dee Milliner (pretty good company, huh?). He recorded 51 tackles last season, had two sacks, and had seven interceptions, tied for second in the country, three of which came in the same game against Washington State. Poyer also has some special teams skills, averaging nearly 26 yards per kickoff return in his first three seasons, and over 10 yards per punt return with a TD over his final 3 seasons.

So why is Poyer being looked at as a 2nd or 3rd round player? Size and speed. He's only 5'10", and his combine 40 time of 4.54 seconds is by no means elite when compared to other CBs. What it means is that he'll most likely be playing a slot corner position, which aren't quite as in-demand as outside guys. It's not to diminish the slot CB, as so many teams are running the spread formation now, you'd like to have three starting-caliber guys.

If he falls to the Colts in Round 3, the value will assuredly be there to take Poyer, and he'll immediately be a starter. He would fit in nicely with Vontae Davis on the outside already, and someone else on the opposite side. I think Poyer would fit what Chuck Pagano is looking for in a corner, especially an inside guy, as he can move in short spaces quickly, and isn't afraid to hit someone. I firmly endorse the Colts selecting him. Let's hope he lasts that long.

Scouting Profile from NFL.com:

Strengths

Smooth athlete with solid overall size. Has fluid hips to turn and run with receivers and quick feet to undercut an out route. Intelligent corner, who transitions smoothly out of his back pedal. Solid hands for the interception, extends to grab passes in front of receivers.

Weaknesses

Average size and strength for an outside corner. Plays well off the line of scrimmage, but doesn't display the skills to press. Doesn’t disengage from blocks consistently. Backpedal is high and slow, receivers eat up his cushion too quickly.

NFL Comparison

Tarell Brown

Scouting Profile from Mocking the Draft:

Pros: Jordan Poyer's best trait is his quickness in short areas. He has a smooth back pedal and can change directions on a dime. Poyer often appears to be even quicker than he is because of how quickly he diagnoses plays and recognizes what the quarterback and receiver are trying to do. He always understands his assignment and made very few mistakes in the games I watched. Poyer isn't often responsible for a big play in the passing game or even very many catches.

Cons: NFL teams will be concerned about Poyer's straight line speed. He struggles a bit in press coverage because his doesn't have a ton of strength and can struggle to turn and run with some of the faster receivers he matches up against. Poyer will have to be ready for the scouting combine and his pro day, because how he times out in the 40-yard dash could be an indicator of where his stock ends up.

Pro Comparison: Brice McCain, Houston Texans

Stats from Sports-Reference.com

Combine Measurements: