2015 Atlanta Falcons Potential Draft Pick Profile: CB/S/QB Nick Marshall

Nick Marshall is someone who fits the profile of a perfect developmental cornerback for a team like the Atlanta Falcons. Head coach Dan Quinn has a tendency to develop players who may not have been the best at their position in college into high-level players for his team.

He's been a part of the development of Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, and he had a hand in Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril taking the next step. Marshall could fit like Sherman does within a Quinn defense as a pure outside cornerback with the quickness and power to bully receivers around the field.

Nick Marshall

Cornerback/Quarterback/Athlete

Auburn University

Combine/Pro Day Measurements

Height: 6'1½" Weight: 207 pounds

Arm Length: 32⅛" Hand Measurement: 9¼"

40 yard dash: 4.54 sec. 10 yard split: 1.60 sec.

20 yard shuttle: 4.15 sec. 3-cone Drill: 6.96 sec.

Vertical Jump: 37½" Broad Jump: 10'4"

Stats

2014: 13 Games Played, 178-of-293 (60.8 percent), 2,532 Yards, 20 Touchdowns, 7 Interceptions, 153 Carries, 798 Yards, 11 Touchdowns, 2 Catches, 16 Yards

2013: 13 Games Played, 142-of-239 (59.4 percent), 1,976 Yards, 14 Touchdowns, 6 Interceptions, 172 Carries, 1,068 Yards, 12 Touchdowns, 1 Catch, 35 Yards

2012: Played at a Junior College

2011: 13 Games Played, 5 Tackles

Scouting Report

Strengths

Marshall has great hip fluidity and athleticism that he can build off of. He can turn and run with some of the best receivers and showed at the Senior Bowl that he could handle NFL-level competition as a cornerback despite playing quarterback his entire time in college.

Because of that experience in college, he can dissect passing offenses that much better in the pros and will be one of the more cerebral players in the draft there. His size is also a plus, as he could be a bigger cornerback or middle-sized safety at 6'1½" and 207 pounds.

Weaknesses

Marshall has little experience at cornerback above the high school level. He played a year at Georgia but rarely saw the field there and moved to quarterback for his last three years in college. He's a malleable ball of clay who doesn't have bad habits to break or good habits on which to build.

As a former quarterback, there's question as to where exactly he fits in the defense. His experience at cornerback wasn't enough to truly judge him, and having just one game to go off of—even though it was the Senior Bowl—isn't enough to give him a proper projection.

How does he fit the Comrade Filter?

Marshall was once suspended and arrested for a Marjiuana possession charge he got prior to his senior season at Auburn. Scott Pioli and Thomas Dimitroff will have to forgive that one charge and hope his weed smoking days are behind him.

If they are, the Falcons will be getting one of Auburn's captains from its 2013 SEC Championship team and a 2014 captain from that team as well. If he checks out everywhere else, there's no reason for the Falcons to pass on him.

Overview

Marshall is a solid quarterback who is being projected to cornerback for the pros. His best position might not be either when all is said and done. He's someone who can play five different spots and be effective at them if a coach gives him a chance—running back, wide receiver, cornerback, safety and quarterback.

However, his best professional role in Quinn's scheme should be cornerback. He's got the athleticism, length and intelligence to be a good press cornerback with the right safety covering deep. Early in his career, he'll have to impress on special teams, but if he sticks, he could be a really good corner.

How he would fit into the Falcons' plans

The Falcons could likely take Marshall in the seventh round, as his lack of a position pushes him down to a potential undrafted free-agency status. Because of that, they would have a great opportunity to bring in someone who will work hard for his spot on the roster.

Marshall's athleticism says he should be able to translate to corner pretty easily, but he could also potentially move to safety if that doesn't work out. He's football smart and could be a surprise Pro Bowler. His potential is through the roof; he's just unproven.

All stats used are either from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats, ESPN, CFBStats or the NFL. All combine and pro day info is courtesy NFL Draft Scout. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac and Rotoworld.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, College Football, NFL and the NFL draft. He's also a Draft Analyst for Pro Football Spot.

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