Colts’ Marvell Tell expects to switch to CB

While the scouting world may have analyzed former USC defensive back Marvell Tell as a safety, the Indianapolis Colts selected him in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the expectation of moving him to cornerback.

Tell said after being selected with the No. 144 overall pick in the draft that the Colts were actively talking to him about making a move to cornerback if they wound up grabbing him.

#Colts Melvin Tell primarily was a deep safety at USC. Indy views him as a corner.

— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) April 27, 2019

There is development that needs to take place in Tell’s game, but he does have upside given his elite athleticism to go along with rare arm length and wingspan. His arm length (91st) and wingspan (95th) were among the elite percentiles for the position, per Mockdraftable.

Tell also registered no lower than the 95th percentile in any of the broad jump, vertical jump and three-cone drill.

Tell told media memebers during the conference call that the Colts were the most active team to contact him during the pre-draft process.

Marvell Tell is ready for the cornerback position with the Colts. That’s his expectation.

Long corner at 6-2. Indy getting a head start on a position switch.

Tell said the Colts contacted him more than any team in the draft process.

— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) April 27, 2019

Where the Colts will have Tell work primarily remains to be seen, but it appears they have an idea to make him a boundary corner to best utilize his length and athleticism.