Darius Slay FS/CB

[ABQCOWBOY]

This guy is becoming more and more interesting to me. His game might translate better to FS then to CB. He's probably a 2nd or 3rd round guy. He's got great size for the position, great speed and agility and the scheme he played in at MissSt. lends itself to position change. I'm starting to like him more and more, especially if he reaches the 3rd round.

 

[DFWJC]

True
Slay is very good.
If he translated to to FS, his upside could be a faster Merton Hanks.
The guy looks like a good corner though.

You know he's not dropping to us in the 3rd.

 

[tm1119]

I think hes going to make a good CB, but hes only 192 and every scouting report I've read mentions his lack of tackling skills and willingness to be physical. Not sure that translates to FS.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think hes going to make a good CB, but hes only 192 and every scouting report I've read mentions his lack of tackling skills and willingness to be physical. Not sure that translates to FS.

Actually, I see just the opposite. At MissSt., they play there CBs in a lot of 4 deep zone scheme. They play 10 yards off the ball and they use their CBs to come up and play the run much like a SS would. By default, he has to be able to stick his nose in it and make tackles on run support or on short to intermediate tackles because of the cushion they give up. I think that he does hesitate in run support, just a split second at time but at FS, that's really not a big deal because your not really providing run support on the edge like you would at CB. This is why I think his game is better suited to FS. At 192 lbs, he's big enough to play FS and he has the length you like at the position at 6'0 but more importantly, he can run a 4.28. His 10 and 20 times are better then anybody else at the postition and his 3 cone and Shuttle are also right there. Now, I do think his tackling technique could use more work but if he's playing FS, in a Tamp2, it's more important that he can get to the ball and cover all areas of the field. He can do that. If he had excellent tackling ability, he would be a 1st round pick easily IMO.

 

[DFWJC]

. If he had excellent tackling ability, he would be a 1st round pick easily IMO.

It will not at all surprise me at all if either SF or Baltimore take Slay at they very end of Rd1.

 

[tm1119]

Actually, I see just the opposite. At MissSt., they play there CBs in a lot of 4 deep zone scheme. They play 10 yards off the ball and they use their CBs to come up and play the run much like a SS would. By default, he has to be able to stick his nose in it and make tackles on run support or on short to intermediate tackles because of the cushion they give up. I think that he does hesitate in run support, just a split second at time but at FS, that's really not a big deal because your not really providing run support on the edge like you would at CB. This is why I think his game is better suited to FS. At 192 lbs, he's big enough to play FS and he has the length you like at the position at 6'0 but more importantly, he can run a 4.28. His 10 and 20 times are better then anybody else at the postition and his 3 cone and Shuttle are also right there. Now, I do think his tackling technique could use more work but if he's playing FS, in a Tamp2, it's more important that he can get to the ball and cover all areas of the field. He can do that. If he had excellent tackling ability, he would be a 1st round pick easily IMO.

Ok yeah I can't say I've actually watched anything on him, or really any cb in this draft, because I don't see us drafting one before the 5th. I just read a few scouting reports because I ended up taking him for the Giants in the board draft. I guess he could be a decent option if we miss out on some of the true FS's.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

It will not at all surprise me at all if either SF or Baltimore take Slay at they very end of Rd1.

It's possible. When you evaluate this player, you basically see a guy who has been the full time starter for one year. He was a JUCO for two years so it's very possible that the quality of coaching he has received, to this point, is probably not as good as some of the other prospects who have been at big time Programs for 4 full years. If somebody falls in love with his abilities and believes they can improve on his techniques with Pro Coaching, he could go in the 1st round, especially if they see him as a CB. He's got size and speed that you can't teach at CB so it is possible. He recorded 5 interceptions in his only starting season.

 

[BAT]

I think hes going to make a good CB, but hes only 192 and every scouting report I've read mentions his lack of tackling skills and willingness to be physical. Not sure that translates to FS.

You are absolutely right. Slay is better at CB. He is a big corner but he doesn't play like one.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I'd bet he'll never play FS for us or anyone, but I think he makes a nice CB option.