2016 NFL Draft: Hidden Gems Who Can Jump-Start a Weak Pass Defense
The 2016 NFL draft is less than a week away. With two blockbuster trades already in the books, it feels like the first-round drama is only starting to heat up.
However, it's important to remember that the draft is a three-day event. While the opening round is important, it is only part of the process. Teams that are looking to win the draft must try to uncover the hidden gems of the later rounds.
We're talking about the Day 3 selections who could wind up being early contributors at the pro level.
Today, we're going to look at projected late-round pass defenders with the potential to step in and bolster a sagging pass defense.
Since we're talking about hidden gems here, we'll focus on defensive backs and pass-rushers who are expected to be Day 3 selections. We're looking at these players with some perspective—we believe they can help a struggling pass defense. If these players were likely to step in and improve an elite defense like that of the Denver Broncos or the Carolina Panthers, they wouldn't be hidden at all.
The choices here are players we believe can be early contributors because of their size, skill set or scheme fit.
Derrick Kindred, SS, Texas Christian
1 of 9
| Tackles | Sacks | Passes Defended | Interceptions |
| 87 | 0.0 | 3 | 2 |
Former TCU safety Derrick Kindred is probably known more for his big-hitting ability than his cover skills, but he has the physical traits needed to improve as a pass defender.
The compactly built, 5'10", 207-pound Kindred tested well at the combine. He clocked an impressive 4.50-second 40 and logged a 37.5-inch vertical jump. If he can learn to improve his anticipation and fluidity on the field, Kindred should have little trouble keeping up with opposing pass-catchers at the pro level.
Where Kindred really shines, though, is in his ability to lay that proverbial wood on players after the catch. Though not a headhunter by any stretch, he excels at squaring up and delivering downhill hits on underneath routes. Teams that are looking to add that old-school enforcer presence to their secondary will snag a bargain in Kindred.
NFLDraftScout.com projects him as just a sixth- or seventh-round selection.
Kindred isn't likely to be an immediate starter, but his skill set should earn him playing time as a situational pass defender. He has the skills needed to win against running backs and tight ends in coverage and to make receivers think twice about going over the middle.
Ryan Smith, CB, North Carolina Central
2 of 9
| Tackles | Sacks | Passes Defended | Interceptions |
| 38 | 0 | 11 | 2 |
Cornerback Ryan Smith isn't likely to be an early selection for a couple of reasons. For starters, he played at North Carolina Central University, where the level of competition isn't going to impress NFL scouts. Also, he measures up a bit short as a defensive back.
At 5'11" and 189 pounds, Smith is a bit thin and may find it difficult to match up with more physical receivers on the perimeter. He is currently projected as a third- or fourth-round pick by NFLDraftScout.com.
The good news is that any team that pulls the trigger on Smith in the later rounds will be getting a polished pass defender in terms of technique. He has the footwork and the fluidity to make up for what he might lack in size or physical presence.
Smith checks the box in terms of straight-line speed, but he isn't going to wow anyone. He clocked a 4.47-second 40 at the combine.
Because he doesn't possess elite speed and will struggle to body bigger receivers, Smith will likely start out in the slot. However, he can likely be an immediate contributor here, as Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller recently explained in his scouting report.
"He has the tools to be a rookie impact player in the slot and a potential starter on the outside for some schemes," Miller wrote. "Watching his tape, it's easy to see why coaches rave about him."
Smith will likely have to improve his recognition skills—and perhaps add mass to his frame—before he can be an effective starter on the outside. However, he should prove to be an early contributor in the right role as a rookie.
James Cowser, OLB, Southern Utah
3 of 9
| Tackles | Sacks | Passes Defended | Interceptions |
| 68 | 13.0 | 0 | 0 |
Teams that don't mind gambling on small-school prospect are going to be chomping at the bit to snag Southern Utah's James Cowser in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft. NFLDraftScout.com projects him as a fourth- or fifth-round pick, and Cowser could prove to be an absolute steal there.
In terms of measurables, Cowser is good but not great. At 6'3" and 248 pounds, he may have to make the move from defensive end to outside linebacker at the next level. The 4.82-second 40 he ran at the combine isn't going to excite teams.
What will excite them, however, is the production Cowser has put on tape. He finished his collegiate career as the all-time FCS leader in sacks with 42.5 in all. He also racked up 80 tackles for a loss during his time at Southern Utah.
Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller recently wrote the following of Cowser:
"Cowser is a natural backfield disruptor. He's consistent in generating pressure to collapse the pocket and has the strength to separate from blockers and get into the backfield with power moves. When taking on the run, Cowser will stack-and-shed with power. He takes smart, crisp angles to the ball-carrier while ducking into the backfield and on outside chase plays.
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Cowser will need to work on his secondary rush moves at the next level and may have to add some bulk to his frame—especially if he wants to stay at defensive end. However, he has the physical tools and the relentless motor to immediately step in and perform as a situational pass-rusher.
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Jonathan Jones, CB, Auburn
4 of 9
| Tackles | Sacks | Passes Defended | Interceptions |
| 69 | 0.0 | 13 | 1 |
Despite playing at big-boy program Auburn, cornerback Jonathan Jones isn't expected to be an early draft pick. Why? Well, at just 5'9" and 186 pounds, he is one of the smaller players at any position in this year's draft.
His lack of size is likely why NFLDraftScout.com projects Jones as only a fourth- or fifth-round selection.
However, a small stature doesn't mean Jones cannot succeed in the NFL. He is going to draw attention and will have the potential to contribute early because of his blazing speed. He clocked a 4.33-second 40 at the combine. He can have an early impact in the right role.
Though more quick than fast—he still holds a combine record for the 60-yard shuttle—5'9" and 186-pound corner Buster Skrine appeared in all 16 games as a rookie back in 2011 and is about to enter his sixth pro season with 45 starts under his belt. Size isn't everything if the athleticism and the technique are there, and Jones, like Skrine before him, has them.
Jones is likely to step into a No. 3 or No. 4 corner role as a rookie and may eventually work his way into being a regular nickelback presence as a rookie. It's worth noting that NFL teams in need of immediate secondary help are taking an interest in Jones.
According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Jones will visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers and is drawing interest from the Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Anthony Brown, CB, Purdue
5 of 9
| Tackles | Sacks | Passes Defended | Interceptions |
| 59 | 0.0 | 6 | 4 |
With NFL defenses continually gravitating toward taller, rangier cornerbacks, 5'11", 192-pound corner Anthony Brown is considered just average in size. He's also flown under the radar a bit while playing at Purdue, a team that won just six games over the past three seasons.
Perhaps this is why NFLDraftScout.com projects Brown as only a fifth- or sixth-round prospect, though a penchant for surrendering touchdowns (17 the last three seasons, per his NFL.com draft profile) hasn't helped.
Brown, however, has the type of elite speed and strength that NFL scouts love. He clocked an impressive 4.35-second 40 at the combine to go with 19 reps of the 225-pound bench press. On tape, Brown comes across as an instinctual pass defender with a willingness to get dirty in the run game.
Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller recently explained why Brown can be a fit in virtually any coverage scheme:
"A patient, poised cornerback in man and zone coverage alike, Brown doesn't panic against speed and doesn't back down against power. He shows the awareness to find and attack the ball, scoring 16 pass breakups in the last two seasons. The support around Brown was awful, and he was often asked to cover for five to six seconds.
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Before he can develop into a full-time starter, however, Brown will likely need to refine his technique and start trusting it—defensive penalties have been an issue for him. If he can get himself mentally ready, he should be able to have a potentially significant impact as a rookie.
Alex McCalister, DE, Florida
6 of 9
| Tackles | Sacks | Passes Defended | Interceptions |
| 26 | 6.5 | 1 | 0 |
Before teams will be willing to take a chance on Florida defensive end Alex McCalister, they'll have to assess his character. He was suspended once this past season and was later dismissed from the team entirely, which is largely why he declared for the draft as a junior.
Those teams that are comfortable with McCalister as a person are going to find a lot to love about McCalister the player. Despite appearing in just nine games this past season, he managed to rack up 6.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. Most of his production came against quality competition too.
As a pass-rusher, McCalister has shown the ability to bend and dip at the point of attack and flashes a rather nasty spin move.
McCalister's measurables are also intriguing. At 6'6" and 239 pounds, he has the long, lean frame that teams like in an edge-rusher—though he will need to add some bulk to remain at defensive end. The 4.80-second 40 he ran at the combine isn't eye-opening, but it doesn't bring cause for major concern.
What could excite potential NFL employers is McCalister's short-area quickness. He clocked an impressive 4.00-second short shuttle at the combine to go with a 7.01-second three-cone drill. This suggests both explosiveness and above-average change-of-direction skills.
Largely because of character concerns and a lack of game tape, McCalister is only projected as a seventh-round selection by NFLDraftScout.com. He could be an absolute steal in the draft.
It will likely take some time—and a few extra pounds—before McCalister can be a regular starter in the NFL, but he could have an immediate impact as a situational pass-rusher.
Tyrone Holmes, OLB, Montana
7 of 9
| Tackles | Sacks | Passes Defended | Interceptions |
| 87 | 18.0 | 0 | 0 |
Small-school prospect Tyrone Holmes is limited as a player and didn't face the highest level of competition during his time at Montana. This is largely why he remains a likely late-round selection.
NFLDraftScout.com projects Holmes as a sixth- or seventh-round pick.
When you watch Holmes on film, however, you get the feeling he could develop into something special at the pro level. At 6'4" and 250 pounds, he looks the part of a future NFL edge-rusher, and his game tape shows plenty of potential.
Holmes racked up a whopping 18 sacks this past season and was named STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year. Though he will need to refine his technique, he has the speed to win off the edge at the pro level. According to NFLDraftScout.com, he clocked an impressive 4.59-second 40 at his pro day.
On top of his physical attributes, it seems that Holmes possesses the type of work ethic that can allow him to thrive in the right system.
"He doesn't say a whole lot, he just comes out and practices and plays the exact same way every single day—a hundred miles an hour," Montana coach Bob Stitt said of Holmes, per STATS FCS Senior Editor Craig Haley.
It will likely take some time for Holmes to develop into a full-time contributor in the NFL, but he has the physical tools to immediately help a pass defense as a situational edge-rusher.
K.J. Dillon, S, West Virginia
8 of 9
| Tackles | Sacks | Passes Defended | Interceptions |
| 54 | 0.0 | 8 | 2 |
Teams that are looking for a hybrid safety capable of playing either in the box or deep at the free safety position should take a long look at West Virginia's K.J Dillon.
At 6'0" and 210 pounds, Dillon is a long, rangy pass defender with the quickness to match up with tight ends in man coverage and to close on pass-catchers in zone. He clocked a 4.53-second 40 at the combine and logged a 4.43-second short shuttle at his pro day.
The knock on Dillon is that he isn't a strong player—just 11 reps of the 225-pound bench press at the combine—or the soundest tackler. Dillon is a willing tackler who won't shy away from the run game, but he doesn't always wrap and finish at the point of attack.
This is likely why NFL.com grades Dillon as a developmental prospect or special teams contributor. It could take some time for him to add mass and refine his tackling technique in order to be a solid all-around player.
However, the potential is there for Dillon to step in and provide immediate support as a rotational defensive back and third safety. His versatility should get him on the field in multiple roles. His ability to diagnose passing plays and make plays on the ball should allow him to improve a defense right away as well.
Jimmy Pruitt, DB, San Jose State
9 of 9
| Tackles | Sacks | Passes Defended | Interceptions |
| 53 | 0.0 | 6 | 3 |
A lack of speed can quickly damage the draft stock of a prospective NFL defensive back. This is part of the reason why San Jose State's Jimmy Pruitt—who logged a 4.73-second 40 at the combine—isn't a highly coveted prospect.
Pruitt doesn't quite possess the speed needed to be a pro cornerback. At 6'0" and 198 pounds, he also lacks prototypical size to be a safety. A lack of aggressiveness and sound tackling technique won't help matters.
NFL.com grades Pruitt as a player who will find himself on the bottom end of a roster.
In the right situation, however, Pruitt could be an immediate asset on pass defense. His ability to play both corner and safety could keep him on the field in shifting-coverage schemes. His size and strength—he posted 19 reps on the 225-pound bench press at the combine—could give him value as a third corner in a press-heavy scheme. His awareness could make him an asset in zone coverage.
Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller recently wrote the following of Pruitt:
"[Pruitt] may be the ideal hybrid defensive back, as he's able to play near the line of scrimmage or in deep coverage. Pruitt has excellent experience as a four-year starter, and his versatility adds another layer of value to his report. He's smart, aware and poised in coverage, with flashes of being a key player in zone coverage with his ability to read the ball and make a jump on routes in front of him.
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Pruitt isn't likely to fit every system, but he has the goods to be an immediate contributor in the right one.
Unless specifically noted, all combine/pro-day numbers and measurements via NFL.com.
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