2014 NFL Combine Preview: Five Secondary Players to Watch
By Ben Nielsen
Jan 25, 2014; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad defensive corner Pierre Desir of Lindenwood (30) celebrates after an interception against the South squad duing the second half of a game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. South defeated the North 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
3. Pierre Desir (Cornerback)
School: Lindenwood
Watch to Watch: 40-time, Speed Turn Drill, Medicals
2013 Stats: 33 tackles, one tackle for loss, four interceptions, 12 passes defended, a forced fumble and fumble recovery
Met with Chiefs: Yes
A NCAA Division II kid who transferred from Topeka’s Washburn University to Lindenwood, Desir has some of the size the Chiefs are looking for at cornerback. He’s 6-1, 195 and has solid, but not elite, speed. The leap from D-II to the NFL is concerning on some levels, but the Chiefs had success with Brandon Carr not too long ago in that regard.
In some ways Desir is more a project than Carr, however. Reports from the Shrine Game suggest he was inconsistent in drills. How Desir uses his feet and his ability to locate the ball in drills will be something to watch at the combine. This doesn’t mean he cannot or will not be good in the pros, but it certainly impact where he’ll go in the draft.
Desir’s size has him very high on a lot of people’s boards. If he runs well this weekend then it is unlikely Desir will be available to the Chiefs in the third round.
He did miss some time in 2013 due to injury.