Cory James NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Raiders Rookie

POSITIVES

A four-year starter, Cory James has experience and versatility on his resume, having played as an edge-rusher and off-ball linebacker.

James is able to catch up and play in pursuit, and he has the closing speed to make plays on the backside. He’s explosive off the snap and shows a speed rush to whip the corner. A solid tackler in space, James has the length to hold off blockers while reading the play.

In coverage, James has the speed to run with receivers and tight ends. He has a nonstop effort and plays with a reckless and unreserved style.

NEGATIVES

A ‘tweener in terms of body type, James doesn’t have the ideal size for a linebacker role. An inconsistent playmaker, James can be up and down within the same game. He has to learn to pace his highs to avoid his lows.

When blockers get ahold of James, they’re stuck to him like glue, as he lacks the power or hand play to get free. When asked to play in a zone and read the ball, James is slow to diagnose and shows much better when reacting instead of reading.

As a contain linebacker, James often loses the edge to strong linemen and will open up big gaps off-tackle and off-guard for backs to crash. He’s not a step-up-and-fill ‘backer. With limited experience in pass coverage and average size, James projects as a late-rounder or undrafted free agent.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 229 lbs.

40 Time: 4.59s

3-Cone: 7.00s

Short Shuttle: 4.59s

PRO COMPARISON: David Mayo, Carolina Panthers
FINAL GRADE: 5.00/9.00 (Priority Free Agent)