EJ Gaines NFL Draft 2014: Highlights, Scouting Report for St. Louis Rams CB

E.J. Gaines, CB, Missouri (HT: 5’9⅝”, WT: 190 lbs)

St. Louis Rams

Sixth Round: 188th Pick 

NFL Comparison: Chris Harris, CB, Denver Broncos

Height	Weight	Arm	Hands
5095	190	30 1/4"	9 1/4"

40-yard dash	10-yard split	Vert	Broad	3-Cone	Shuttle
4.49	N/A	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP

Positives

• Possesses a strong, muscular frame.
• Good distance speed that complements his physicality.
• Most comfortable in zone defense after primarily playing in a Cover 3 scheme. 
• Able to force defenders to the sideline while in Cover 2, forcing receivers off of their route pattern. By moving the receiver closer to the sideline, there is a lesser margin for error for the offense. 
• Excellent eye discipline and rarely allows the quarterback to lead him away from the target receiver. Reacting to the quarterback's eye movement and progressions is highly important in zone schemes. 
• Stout against the run; he has the mindset of a linebacker.
• Good form tackler in space; mirrors the ball-carrier, then wraps and follows through the tackling motion.
• Experience as a boundary corner and nickel back, often switching between spots on subsequent defensive series.
• Plays larger than his height suggests; he always contests passes, even against large receivers.
• Difficult to see Gaines wash out of the league since he does everything at least decently.
• Low-ceiling, high-floor player, but there is value in a depth player that is willing to play hard on special teams. 
• Three-year starter that amassed impressive tackle numbers.

Negatives

• Lacks average lateral quickness, change of direction and foot speed. He will have a difficult time becoming a consistent performer due to the lack of natural athleticism. 
• Pad level is inconsistent during backpedal, so he will need technique refinement to enhance short-area burst, but even a technical increase won't produce a dramatic increase in natural quickness.
• Footwork will need to be cleaned up, especially for a man scheme; he wastes too many steps in and out of breaks and pivots.
• Sometimes loses track of the receiver and focuses on the eyes of the quarterback, allowing the receiver to settle in behind his zone. There's a balance that has to be met with better anticipation, which he does not have right now. 
• Not a lockdown defender in any scheme or position; probably not an instant impact as a rookie. 
• He doesn't have much experience on special teams, so he will need to buy in to becoming a contributor there. 
• Burn percentage of 33 percent for the entire 2013 season while in coverage, which is below average for a quality NFL defensive back prospect. 

Year	Team	Tackles	PD	INT
2010	Missouri	26	1	0
2011	Missouri	69	18	2
2012	Missouri	74	12	1
2013	Missouri	75	3	5

Personal Notes

• Earned first-team All-Big 12 honors as a first-year starter in 2011.
• Ranked as the ninth-best player in Missouri as a high school recruit.
• Will graduate with a degree in business management.
• Served as a referee for little league basketball games in his spare time.

Ratings Chart

Graph made by http://nces.ed.gov

Overall

Gaines was able to experience playing against top-level competition every week in the SEC, and he played well in his senior season. His best scheme fit will be in a zone-base defense, preferably Cover 2, where he can focus on redirecting the receiver and using his ball skills to make plays. A master of none, Gaines will need to play special teams to get on the field, but he’s good enough to stick around the NFL as a depth player.

Draft Projection: Fourth Round

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