5th Round

[defiantgiant]

Bears are on the clock now. Pick should be in shortly.

[defiantgiant]

Josh Moore, DB from Kansas State is the pick. Scouting report from CBS:

 

Overview

Wearing jersey number 4 at KSU takes chutzpah, as Terence Newman was a star in that jersey during his career in Manhattan. But Moore's honorable-mention All-Big 12 play on the corner the past two years certainly showed he has pro potential.

 

Moore led the team in tackles as a sophomore with 76, and then finished second with 64 in 2009. His five interceptions and 23 pass breakups during that time also show his ability to get a hand on the ball and bait quarterbacks into throwing to his side of the field (where he is usually on an island on the boundary side). He redshirted the 2007 season, however, after his suspension for being named in an academic fraud case.

 

Lacking great size, Moore might struggle to handle bigger receivers at the next level. But his speed and exceptional change of direction ability make it conceivable that he jumps up some teams' boards into the third round like a similar player, Auburn's Jerraud Powers, did last April.

Analysis

 

Read & React: Very quick to read runs or receiver screens, so much so that teams take advantage of that aggressiveness to suck him in on play action. Must improve his reading of routes and be more aware of double moves.

 

Man Coverage: Can play off his man or on the line, although he doesn't get a hand on his man immediately. Excellent speed to turn and run with receivers, whether down the sideline or trailing over the middle. Changes direction quickly, mirrors jerk routes extremely well. Could improve his contact with receivers down the field instead of relying on recovery speed.

 

Zone Coverage: Typically plays off in zone with his hips open inside. Does not backpedal a lot but has the flexibility to do so. Inconsistent handing off his man to get to underneath route.

 

Closing/Recovery: Straight-line speed allows him to recover quickly if beaten. Good closing speed to the ball, able to knock the ball away even when a couple of yards behind his man when the quarterback starts his delivery. Finds the ball in the air. Must be more consistent in his plant and drive so receivers cannot lose him on a quick move.

 

Run Support: Extremely active, attacks the line of scrimmage once sniffing the run. Despite his small stature, he has the upper-body strength to punch receiver in the chest when he sees run, then come off to grab ballcarrier. Wraps up in space when in zone. Ducks his head often, but somehow gets enough of the ballcarrier to slow or stop him.

 

Tackling: Lacks great strength, but is one of this draft class's more aggressive corners. Throws his body into tackles, wrapping up on the island with length and want-to. Likes to lower the shoulder, can put it on the ball to cause force fumbles. Will take incorrect angles to the ball when catches are made in front of him. Gives up on plays when another defender is in contact with a ballcarrier.

 

Intangibles: Strong leader in the secondary despite his youth, directs his teammates on the field. Aggressive player with physicality teams like at the position. No major character issues, although teams will ask about the academic issue that led to his suspension.

[soxfan3530]

I do like that both the guys we drafted in the secondary are strong vocal leaders. Outside of Tillman I feel we have lacked that which has led to a lot miscommunication and broken coverage. Hopefully these guys can come in and give us something this year.

[defiantgiant]

I do like that both the guys we drafted in the secondary are strong vocal leaders. Outside of Tillman I feel we have lacked that which has led to a lot miscommunication and broken coverage. Hopefully these guys can come in and give us something this year.

Yeah, I do like that, especially with the Wright pick. We haven't had a real drill sergeant in the secondary since Mike Brown. Especially with Manning's problematic instincts, we need more guys who can make sure everybody's on the same page.