Marqui Christian NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Cardinals Rookie

POSITIVES

A versatile safety prospect with the size, strength and quickness to play both free and strong safety, Marqui Christian was a standout player at Midwestern State. Honored as the best small-school defensive player, Christian took home the Cliff Harris Award after the 2015 season.

Christian burst onto the scene at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl this offseason, wowing scouts with his range and aggressiveness as a run defender. A tough, instinctive player, he stepped up against bigger competition than he’d faced in college and had a great week of practices in the all-star environment.

A fierce hitter, Christian has the burst in his lower body to make a big impact on the ball. He sees the field quickly and has the reaction speed to pick up tackles behind the line of scrimmage. If allowed to blitz off the edge, he has the athletic tools to be an impact.

A developmental project, Christian has the tape and the traits worth investing in late.

NEGATIVES

No matter what his timed 40-yard run was, Christian doesn’t pop on film as a fast player. His range when asked to patrol deep down the field was average at a small school and looks like a liability when projecting him forward.

Based on tape and NFLPA practices, Christian looks like an in-the-box safety with limited range when asked to run out of his backpedal. He excels moving forward but is lumbering and unbalanced when asked to get depth or run with receivers.

Given his hard-hitting nature, Christian can be reckless and too aggressive. He’ll lose contain and get sucked down hard on play action by going for a kill shot instead of breaking down to make form tackles.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 193 lbs.

40 Time: 4.54s

3-Cone: 6.85s

Short Shuttle: 4.27s

PRO COMPARISON: Earl Wolff, Jacksonville Jaguars
FINAL GRADE: 5.00/9.00 (Priority Free Agent)