Scouting Profile: Jalen Ramsey could continue the hybrid DB revolution

by
Melina Vastola / Reuters

Get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class leading up to the NFL draft, which takes place from April 28-30 in Chicago.

Jalen Ramsey

Position: CB/S
School: Florida State
College Experience: Junior
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 209 lbs.
Age: 21

NFL player comparison: Tyrann Mathieu

Ramsey excelled at both safety and cornerback at the collegiate level, and is the embodiment of the modern defensive back. The 21-year-old combines Mathieu's best traits, namely his versatility at cornerback/safety, world-class athleticism, ball skills, and diagnostic ability. Possessing upper-echelon acceleration, speed, and ability to take calculated risks, Ramsey is the continued evolution of the hybrid defensive back in the NFL.

Draft Projection: Round 1 (Top 5 overall)

Strengths

  • Ramsey's ball skills are unmatched, displaying an incredible penchant to track down the football in coverage for interceptions. With excellent hands, Ramsey can secure the ball like a wide receiver and he'll rarely, if ever, lose a jump ball.
  • Ramsey displays elite closing speed and is able to bait quarterbacks into risky passes as a result. Also possesses excellent straight-line speed.
  • Excels in press coverage, and shows excellent diagnostic ability at the line of scrimmage.
  • Ramsey's outstanding athleticism and anticipations allows him to reroute easily and be disruptive.
  • Due to his speed and lateral movement, Ramsey seldom, if ever, gets beat to the outside.
  • Gravitates to the ball and does a great job of bringing the ball carrier down.

Weaknesses

  • Because of his recovery speed, Ramsey will at times take unnecessary risks in allowing his receiver to get behind him to bait an interception.
  • Although he does a good job of wrapping up, Ramsey will need to tackle lower at the professional level or runs the risk of getting run over.

Combine Results

Event Result
40-yd Dash 4.41 sec
Bench Press 14 reps
Vertical Jump 41.5 inches
Broad Jump 135 inches
3-Cone Drill 6.94 sec
20-yd Shuttle 4.18 sec

The Digest

Scouting Profiles: Breaking down the top prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft

by theScore Staff
Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class, leading up to the NFL Draft which takes place from April 28-30 in Chicago.

Tap the links below to see a full scouting report for each player.

Quarterbacks

Carson Wentz
Jared Goff
Paxton Lynch
Christian Hackenberg
Connor Cook

Running Backs

Ezekiel Elliott
Derrick Henry

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Laquon Treadwell
Corey Coleman
Josh Doctson

Offensive Linemen

Laremy Tunsil
Ronnie Stanley
Jack Conklin

Defensive Linemen

DeForest Buckner
Joey Bosa
Shaq Lawson
Sheldon Rankins

Linebackers

Myles Jack
Jaylon Smith
Reggie Ragland
Leonard Floyd
Darron Lee

Defensive Backs

Jalen Ramsey
Vernon Hargreaves III
Vonn Bell

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