Each year at Lions Wire we examine the athletic testing scores of the upcoming NFL draft class, looking for prospects who qualify for our Quinn Influenced Benchmarks (QIB) system. In a nutshell, QIB is designed to identify common athletic characteristics Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn has previously targeted at each position, with the focus on finding similarly athletic prospects that could be offseason targets for the Lions.
The Lions love using defensive backs and will deploy as many as seven on the field at one time, but in their base defense, five is the magic number and three of those spots will typically be cornerbacks.
On the roster, the Lions have their shutdown No. 1 corner in Darius Slay, a stud nickel corner in Justin Coleman and their slot Dime defender in Jamal Agnew. On the outside opposite Slay, there are several options in Rashaan Melvin, Marcus Cooper, Mike Ford, and Teez Tabor, but the Lions may not feel content with only these players in the battle for a starting role and may be looking to add to the competition.
QIB Benchmarks
QIB for cornerbacks relies on four categories, both vertical and broad jumps, and the short shuttle, but by far the most important benchmark is the 3-cone drill as it illustrates the player’s ability to change directions at high speeds in coverage.
A 3-cone time of 7.0-seconds or under is solid, but the league average is 6.96 and the top-30 corners in the NFL average 6.94-seconds. The Lions take it even a step further and QIB looks for a time of 6.92 or better. On the Lions roster, six of the nine corners meet this requirement, Slay (6.9), Coleman (6.61), Agnew (6.92), Ford (6.83), Cooper (6.89) and Andre Chachere (6.78), while Melvin (7.32), Tabor (6.99) and Dee Virgin (7.35) miss the mark.
This years cornerback draft class has more QIB qualifiers than the last few cycles, with 14 Full QIB qualifiers and five Partial QIB qualifiers, with the one area all five missed on was the 3-cone drill. In an effort to separate these prospects a bit further, I have divided the qualifiers by height so readers can compare prospects of similar build and athleticism but the Lions appear open to targeting players regardless of height.
Full QIB: Under 6-0
Versatility is prioritized in Coach Matt Patricia’s scheme and the players in this section, while under 6-0, have the skill set to play both on the outside as well as in the slot.
Byron Murphy (5-11, 190, 6.83, Washington) seems to be a forgotten man in Detroit after being a popular name at the beginning of the offseason. Some of it can be attributed to his smaller than average arm length (30.13″) that will make him a nickel corner only on some draft boards. I don’t believe that will be the case with the Lions because, with players in the secondary, they focus more on agility and ball skills, both areas Murphy excels at. If the Lions trade back from the 8th overall pick, Murphy could be a sneaky selection.
David Long (5-10.5, 196, 6.45, Michigan) had the fastest 3-cone time among any of the players in the draft class with a stunning 6.45 seconds — .18 faster than any other player at the Combine. Long is the epitome of what Lions coaches look for in a corner, excels in press man coverage, fast enough to turn and run with multiple styles of receivers (4.45, 40-yard-dash), patient, physical, and confident. Don’t be surprised if the Lions value him at pick No. 43 in the second round.
Julian Love (5-10.5, 196, 6.72, Notre Dame) is a press-man cover corner who has silky smooth feet but he’s not as physical as Murphy or Long. Love’s intelligence and ball skills will keep his positional options open with the Lions, where some teams will see slot only. He could also be in play at pick 43.
Jimmy Moreland (5-10, 179, 6.83, James Madison) shouldn’t be a sleeper to regular Lions Wire readers, as Jeff Risdon has been shining a light on a Moreland/Lions connection since the East-West Shrine game. If the Lions wait until Day 3 to address corner, Moreland has rare feet, instincts, and ball skills, registering 18 career interceptions and taking six back for scores.
Kendall Sheffield (5-11.5, 193, 6.79, Ohio State) has some appealing traits but he is very much still a project at the position. OSU has a history of putting out one-and-done starters at corner, who get drafted high, but not every player is capable of making a jump to the NFL after only one year starting and Sheffield will likely have to wait until Day 3.
Corey Ballentine (5-11, 196, 6.82, Washburn) is another small school corner who’s playing time will be tied to how quickly they can adjust to a giant jump in competition level. The physical traits are there, as is the on-field production, and he should come off the board in the fourth or fifth rounds.
Ken Webster (5-11, 203, 6.85, Mississippi) has a lot of work to do but the traits are there. The Lions like to target undrafted free agents with very high explosion scores and Webster’s is the highest among the corner group, so he is a name to keep in mind post-draft.
Partial QIB: Under 6-0
Kris Boyd (5-11.5, 201, 6.94, Texas) had a better 2017 than 2018, but he can make a living off his physicality and speed. He is best near the line of scrimmage which is why a move to nickel or slot safety could benefit him.
Montre Hartage (5-11.5, 190, 6.95, Northwestern) looks like a depth player and starting special teamer. A 4.68 40-yards dash likely won’t cut it on the outside in the NFL but a move to slot safety could help his career long-term.
Full QIB: 6-0 and taller
Typically, tall corners are limited to outside coverage duties because their frame limits their ability to cover shifty receiver in the slot. But there is a need for this style of player on the Lions roster and they have already signed two corners over 6-2 (Melvin and Cooper), as well as met with several taller corners — including the first four listed in the Full QIB section and first two in the Partial QIB section.
Justin Layne (6-2, 192, 6.9, Michigan State) is a tall, long, press corner who can shadow cover receivers on the outside. He has excellent ball skills, but his foot technique and run defense still need improving. Once he cleans those areas up, he has a CB1 level ceiling. He should be in play at pick No. 43 in the second round.
Amani Oruwariye (6-2, 205, 6.82, Penn State) smart, long, and physical at the line of scrimmage and in the air. If he can get his hands on receivers early in the route he will find success, but in the NFL receivers are better at removing hands quickly and Oruwariye will need to improve his range when trailing.
Sean Bunting (6-0.5, 195, 6.89, Central Michigan) is still developing but he has all the traits needed to play in the Lions scheme. Comfortable in press coverage, physical all over the field, can win at the catch point, and has excellent ball skills. He still needs help with his technique and to spend some time in an NFL weight room, but he has starter level upside that could be found in Rounds 2 or 3.
Joejuan Williams (6-3.5, 211, 6.84, Vanderbilt) has size and length for days and knows how to use it. Despite having two years of experience starting as a press corner in the SEC he is still far to too inconsistent, but with the right coaching, he could develop into a monster. His nose for the ball and physical play is likely what has the Lions’ attention and he should hear his name called on Day 2.
Isaiah Johnson (6-2, 208, 6.81, Houston) is a former receiver who has only been playing corner for two seasons. Unsurprisingly, he is still very raw but the potential is there if teams are willing to wait for him to develop. He has starter-level potential which makes him a potential Day 2 prospect for a team who likes to gamble on upside.
Davante Davis (6-2, 202, 6.76, Texas) may not have the skill set to fit on the outside in the Lions scheme (he’s better in zone coverage) but like his Longhorn teammate, the Lions could be interested in using him at safety because of his physical nature. He is a fringe draftable prospect.
Alijah Holder (6-1, 191, 6.7, Stanford) lacks instincts and projects as a zone corner which may not appeal to the Lions despite an impressive 3-cone time.
Partial QIB: 6-0 and taller
Jamel Dean (6-1, 206, 7.02, Auburn) is an elite athlete with 4.30 speed, but two knee surgeries in high school led to him not being medically cleared at Ohio State and he transferred to Auburn. He then proceeded to blow out his ACL again as a freshman. He rebounded with two solid years as a starter but his medical checks will determine his value.
Lonnie Johnson (6-2, 213, 7.01, Kentucky) has length, ball skills and is capable of thriving in press coverage but his inconsistencies are problematic. His stock is all over the place with rumors of him being selected in the Top-50 and as far down as pick 200. He is another player that has the traits teams like to gamble on and he may go on the higher side.
Michael Jackson (6-0.5, 210, 7.12, Miami-FL) is a strong zone based corner and like the other zone corners mentioned in this piece, the Lions may only consider him if a move to slot safety is in his future. He should end up being selected early Day 3.
