As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Tyrique Stevenson.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tyrique Stevenson (CB – Miami FL)
Tyrique Stevenson (CB – Miami FL)
6’0” – 214 lbs.
Background:
Miami native who originally committed to Georgia and spent two years with the Bulldogs. Started one game and totaled 223 snaps as a freshman, allowing 14/25 passing. Started four games the following year (412 snaps), playing primarily in the slot and allowing opposing quarterbacks to go 36/46 for 363 yards and a touchdown. Transferred to Miami and immediately stepped into the starting lineup on the boundary, allowing 25/49 passing for 228 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Allowed 17/40 passing for 353 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions last year, adding five breakups.
Positives:
Four-year contributor with a little bit of experience all over, and who made some progress upon arriving at Miami. Has a pretty rare combination of size, length, and bulk. Was asked to play a lot of press-man and bail coverage. Plays the game with a physical temperament and knows how to use his length to disrupt opponents’ releases at the line of scrimmage; appears to have a strong punch to jolt opponents. Can use his size/length to pin opponents to the sidelines when carrying them downfield, showing solid speed and hips overall. Able to run with opponents on shallow crosses over the middle. Sniffs out plays developing underneath and comes up quickly when working from off-coverage. Attacks blocks with aggression.
Negatives:
Center of gravity is a little high when backpedaling. Was never penalty-prone in school, but could be at the next level because of his overall grabbiness through the route. Route-recognition skills are still a work in progress. Looks more comfortable when he’s able to keep the play in front of him than when he has to turn his back to the football. Gets sucked inside easily. Turns all the way around instead of into opponents. Balance when playing off of blocks isn’t where it should be given his size. Lapses into throwing his body around as a tackler, leading to misses; not a particularly reliable player in run support or when it comes to bringing down receivers after the catch.
Summary:
Looks destined for a mid-round selection as a big, physical, and aggressive cornerback with surprisingly good athleticism for his size, but who has a lot of sloppy elements to his game; needs to improve his overall route recognition skills, as well as his fundamentals in coverage, when playing off blocks, and as a tackler. High-upside developmental candidate who would probably be exposed if forced into action early, but could potentially be something further down the road.
Projection: Round 4-5
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