The Indianapolis Colts have been harping on versatility ever since the new regime took over the front office. That notion extended itself into the selection of defensive back Marvell Tell.
A fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Tell is expected to make the switch from safety to cornerback. While the transition isn’t always an easy one, the Colts feel Tell has the athleticism to do so.
“Athleticism, explosiveness, length, intelligence. He’s a really smart guy. Change of direction. The way he tested his pro day and all that, all the numbers were really good,” area scout Chris McGaha told Colts.com. “(With) the position change, he’s going to do what he has to do to make the switch.”
Though most analysts and draft pundits had Tell ranked as a safety, the Colts believe his length and elite athleticism will make for an easier transition as a boundary cornerback.
He was 90th percentile or better in several of the testing areas among defensive backs in the 2019 draft class.
Having the innate athleticism helps make that transition, but the Colts know it also takes a high level of work ethic and desire to want success in making the change.
“I guess you just got to work at it. There takes a level of athleticism, too, which we feel pretty good about,” McGaha said of the position change. “Just put in the work, I guess. And he’s somebody that we think will do that.”
The Colts will have a massive competition in the cornerback room this summer, and Tell is expected to be battling for one of the final spots in the room.
