T.J. Green NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Colts Rookie

POSITIVES

A former wide receiver who moved to safety before the 2014 season, T.J. Green has the size and speed to have teams thinking he could line up from day one at free safety or cornerback.

Green has athletic, quick hips and pops off the tape with his change-of-direction skills. A natural athlete, he can run with wideouts but has the size to bang in the middle of the field against tight ends.

With his straight-line quickness, length and height, Green may end up at cornerback for some teams. In a scheme similar to what the Arizona Cardinals run, he would be an excellent option on the outside.

The Clemson defense asked Green to play a ton of deep coverage, and he responded with excellent range and matchup skills. He also has experience on special teams as a returner and gunner and brings the kind of four-down athleticism that’s rarely found outside the first round.

NEGATIVES

The national championship game highlighted an issue that shows up every week for Green—he’s a bad tackler. With 13 missed tackles in 2015, Green ranks as one of the worst tackling safeties in the country. And it’s not a physical issue, but a want-to issue.

Teams question Green’s ability to flip the field and create turnovers after he grabbed just one interception in two seasons. He also had zero passes defensed during that time. Green is also just a one-year starter and played on a loaded defense that hid mistakes in the ACC schedule. When facing elite talent against Alabama, he was exposed.

An upside prospect, Green will tempt NFL teams with his athleticism and size, but will the one season of tape and poor performance in the title game matter more than his numbers?

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 209 lbs.

40 Time: 4.34s

3-Cone: 7.10s

Short Shuttle: 4.41s

PRO COMPARISON: Mike Mitchell, Pittsburgh Steelers
FINAL GRADE: 6.80/9.00 (Round 2—Future Starter)