Could Alabama’s Diggs be Broncos’ answer at CB?
Broncos general manager John Elway moved swiftly to address a need last month when he traded for cornerback A.J. Bouye. There’s reason to believe he shouldn’t stop there.
Not when his defense intercepted just 10 passes last season, only one by a full-time cornerback. Not when 2019 free-agent acquisition Bryce Callahan has yet to play a game for the franchise. And especially not when each year brings two meetings with Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Behind quarterback, cornerback is among the most important positions in the modern NFL. Consequently, Elway should consider using at least one of his five top-100 draft picks there, possibly as early as the 15th overall selection April 23.
If that’s Elway’s plan, he has no shortage of options. Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah is widely considered to be the top player at the position, and it would be surprising if he tumbled out of the top 10. Behind him is a strong group of prospects, including Alabama’s Trevon Diggs, Florida’s C.J. Henderson, Clemson’s A.J. Terrell and Auburn’s Noah Igbinoghene.
Watching Diggs play one game apiece as a junior (45-23 win over Texas A&M) and senior (35-13 win over Tennessee), his fit with the Broncos begins to emerge. Diggs, who is listed at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, has the size and length to flourish in coach Vic Fangio‘s zone packages. He also displayed the strength to win in press coverage, regularly redirecting college receivers off their routes with his quick, powerful hands.
Diggs is the younger brother of Buffalo Bills receiver Stefon Diggs and began his Alabama career at receiver before switching to defense. In his final two seasons, he totaled 57 tackles and four interceptions.
Tennessee’s rotation of quarterbacks didn’t test Diggs often in October. They looked his way three times, including once when he was flagged for defensive pass interference. Diggs gave up a 20yard completion on a nice backshoulder throw to receiver Josh Palmer and showed good closing speed to knock away a downfield pass. He also returned a fumble 100 yards for a touchdown, but that was the product of being in the right place at the right time.
In both games, Diggs typically lined up outside but did move into the slot on occasion and even blitzed a handful of times. Texas A&M threw at him eight times, with most of the success coming on short passes that Diggs quickly cleaned up.
Diggs was flagged for pass interference once in each game, proving to be a little too grabby when the ball was in the air and his back to the quarterback. That’s a concern, and his technique will need to improve for him to take full advantage of his physical tools.
With Diggs, that’s the rub. In the right situation, he has the talent to develop into a dependable starting cornerback early in his career. If necessary, Diggs could also transition to free safety at some point due to his size and instincts.
It might feel a touch early to take Diggs at No. 15, but it’s difficult to imagine a player with his upside remaining on the board when the Broncos pick a second time.
Three other options at cornerback:
C.J. Henderson, Florida
42-28 loss at
LSU on Oct. 12
Stat line: Three tackles (two solo) and three pass break-ups
Breakdown: Whichever team drafts Henderson (6-foot-1/204 pounds) will get a Day 1 starter, but it would have been nice to see a bit more competitiveness from him. Often in the first half, Henderson lined up in off coverage, about eight yards from the line of scrimmage. He has the acceleration and strength necessary to come up and make plays from that position and did so perfectly to stop a third-and-2 play early. However, he was a step slow when Ja’marr Chase got inside of him on a slant for a nine-yard touchdown. Chase later caught a pass underneath, slipped an attempted tackle by Henderson and gained 15 yards. It’s possible the Gators felt their best chance was to play that coverage and force the Tigers to repeatedly throw underneath. It was interesting to see him step up and play more press coverage in the second half when the Gators fell behind. Overall, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow was 6 of 9 for 106 yards and two TDS when Henderson was the closest man in coverage, though it’s unfair to pin full responsibility on Henderson for plays that were extended. The second score came on one of the few snaps Henderson lined up in the slot. The Tigers ran a slight rub route that caused traffic and resulted in a 54-yard score for Chase. LSU’S high-scoring offense caused problems for many defenses last season, so Henderson shouldn’t be graded too harshly. He showed a good ability to cut off routes, and there was no panic when his back was to a pass in the air.
Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn
23-20 loss at
LSU on Oct. 26
tat line: Six tackles (three solo) and one pass break-up
Breakdown: Burrow completed 32 of 42 passes against Auburn, but only five throws came with Igbinoghene in coverage. The Heisman Trophy winner was 3 of 5 for 40 yards and a touchdown on those passes. The score was a 20yard strike when Terrace Marshall got a clean outside release against Igbinoghene, who, as was often the case, was in press coverage but couldn’t recover. Chase won a hand battle over the middle of the field for a gain of 19 yards earlier in the drive. There’s a lot to like about Igbinoghene. He was physical and regularly used his hands to affect LSU’S receivers at the line of scrimmage. Primarily lined up outside on either side of the field, he entered the slot on a handful of plays and looked pretty sticky. He also made a key goalline stop on fourth down when he wrestled Chase to the ground after a quick throw from Burrow. However, Igbinoghene’s technique can be sloppy. Too often, a delayed first step caused him to rely on his acceleration while in chase mode. He blitzed once from the short side of the field but was out of control and allowed Burrow to spin away and gain positive yardage. Igbinoghene delivered a big hit on running back Clyde Edwards-helaire near the sideline but also missed a tackle when his aim point was too high. Igbinoghene (5-10/198) can become an impact starter, but that might not happen immediately.
A.J. Terrell, Clemson
Game watched: 45-10 win at Louisville on Oct. 19
Stat line: Two tackles (two solo) and one interception
Breakdown: Rarely tested by a Louisville offense that could not handle Clemson’s defensive front, Terrell was targeted twice in coverage, allowing a completion for 38 yards on third-and-14 and grabbing an uncontested interception. Terrell looked to be playing the sticks on the 38-yard gain and appeared somewhat lackadaisical while retreating to compete for the jump ball. He otherwise consistently mirrored patterns, including smartly staying on top of a vertical route later in the game for an easy interception. His instincts as a boundary cornerback (no snaps in the slot) are there, but is he willing to mix it up with regularity? That didn’t jump out against the Cardinals (one missed tackle), and it would be nice to see more fire where there is currently finesse. Terrell’s clean footwork and patience should help his transition to the NFL. Terrell (6-1/195) has the length to harass opponents in man coverage and can function in soft zone looks. It would be a surprise if he isn’t a multi-year starter.