Name: Corn Elder
School: Miami (FL)
Position fit: Slot cornerback
Stats to know: Missed just four of the 70 solo tackles he attempted in 2016.
What he does best:
- Outstanding tackler. Finished the 2016 season with 66 solo tackles, tied for eighth among cornerbacks in all of college football, and missed just four.
- Really impressive in zone coverage. Reads and reacts quickly to force incompletions.
- Good athlete who possesses the speed to cover receivers downfield.
- One of the best cornerbacks in the nation when it comes to his work against the run. Gets himself into the right position and secures the tackle more often than not.
- Great fit as a slot corner in the NFL. Played just 48 snaps there in 2016, but allowed just 0.33 yards per route run.
- Spent time at both, right and left cornerback, as well as in the slot.
Biggest concern:
- Not a good fit in man coverage.
- Prone to be beaten by double moves. Bites too hard on the initial move and is left for dust with the second.
- Struggles against bigger receivers. Another reason why he is a better fit on the inside at the next level.
- Not really a playmaker. Had just three interceptions and 13 pass breakups over the past three years.
Player comparison: Captain Munnerlyn, Minnesota Vikings
Like Munnerlyn, Elder's best fit at the next level is in the slot. Both are solid run defenders who don't miss many tackles, and it wouldn't be a shock at all to see Elder have a similar career to him at the next level, particularly if he lands with right team scheme wise.
Bottom line: Elder is a perfect fit for the slot in the NFL given his size and coverage abilities. He has struggled at times on the outside when having to deal with double moves, but really excelled at reading and breaking down the play in front of him. If he lands on the right team, and is played in the slot, he could have a big impact, even as a rookie.
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