Aaron Colvin NFL Draft 2014: Highlights, Scouting Report for Jaguars CB

Rusty Costanza/Associated Press

Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma (HT: 5’11⅜”; WT: 177 lbs.)

Jacksonville Jaguars

Fourth Round: 114th Pick

NFL Comparison: Leon Hall, CB, Cincinnati Bengals 

Positives

• Excels in off-man coverage, posting a burn percentage of less than 30 percent. The off-man coverage allows him to recognize he play easier than when he's directly over the receiver. 
• Shows good anticipation and short-area burst on underneath routes. Sitting on underneath routes can be risky as it leaves the defender open to getting burned deep, but his anticipation very often leads to the right read. 
• Has good spacing technique that can trick a quarterback to think that the receiver is more open than they actually are. Colvin knows his own recovery ability, then gets into a position to defense the pass. 
• Reads the quarterback’s eyes well, rarely allowing the quarterback to direct him away from the target. This is an important skill while in zone coverage. 
• Stays on the hip of the receiver and can use burst to make a play at the last second, most notably on seam routes. Showed better consistency with this during the Senior Bowl practices before getting injured. 
• Improved as a tackler during senior season, rarely needing help to finish tackles. Anchors with his lower body and can stand up bigger ball carriers. 
• Has good potential in zone coverage if awareness improves, which is possible through film work and repetitions in practice. 
• Above average foot speed and clean backpedal show there is an ability to improve. 
• Improved as a technician as a senior, including footwork during backpedal and hand usage when shedding blocks.

Negatives

• Tore his ACL during day two of the Senior Bowl practice week, and could miss the entire 2014 season. Teams won't be able to get important measurements such as shuttle time or 40-yard dash before the draft in May. 
• Doesn’t have elite top end speed, and is vulnerable to losing ground on deep routes when lined up in press coverage. 
• Quickness and hand usage will need to improve in press. He currently doesn't engage quickly enough, and that allows the receiver to run his route without disruption. 
• Hips are stiff when transitioning from backpedal to pursuit, and this could limit potential more than speed concerns. Scheme versatility is certainly affected. 
• Doesn’t turn his head while in downfield coverage consistently, and will need to locate the ball quicker in the NFL to avoid pass interference calls and make a play on the ball. 
• Poor awareness in run support; often runs with the receiver downfield before coming back to the ball carrier, giving up major chunk plays. 
• Doesn’t finish plays well, often dropping interceptions that hit him in the hands. 

Personal Notes

• Semifinalist for the Thorpe Award in 2013.
• Started at strong safety in 2011, but started 23 games as a cornerback from 2012-2013.
• Former 3-star recruit and No. 5 overall player in Oklahoma as a high-school prospect.
• Will graduate with a degree in communication.
• Name pronunciation: COLE-vin.

Ratings Chart

nces.gov

Overall

Colvin’s draft stock was soaring after the first day and a half at the Senior Bowl, after he locked down every receiver he lined up against. His improving technique was on display before he tore his ACL. The injury will push him into late Day 3, but if he can fully recover, he is a possible impact player in 2015.

Draft Projection: Fourth Round (Pre-Injury)

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