Kansas City Chiefs: Looking for a late round cornerback

Deiondre’ Hall – Northern Iowa
6-foot-2, 199 pounds
4.55 forty, 10 bench press reps
37 inch vertical, 7.07 3-cone drill

When I watch Deiondre’ Hall’s game tape he reminds me a lot of Sean Smith. While Hall is slightly smaller than the 6-foot-3 and 218 pound Smith, he does have the desired height to play on the outside in the Chiefs system and his freakishly long arms (over 34 inches) means he plays even taller than he is. Playing for a non power conference team like UNI has allowed for Hall to fly under the radar. During his career he amassed over 240 tackles, 13 interceptions (including four returned for touchdowns), 28 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, and 16 tackles for loss as he split time at cornerback, safety, and even a little time at linebacker.

Athletically, Hall dominated against FCS competition but he showed sloppy technique along the way as well. Many are listing Hall under safety prospects, and he admittedly could be successful there in the NFL, but despite his high tackle numbers and willingness to stop the run, his lanky frame may hold up better over time on the outside. In order for that to happen he is going to need some quality NFL coaching to refine his technique. Even then he may struggle if lined up against smaller and faster NFL wideouts. However, I really like his ability to jam receivers at the line with his long arms and is one of the rare cornerback prospects with the size to cover some of the NFL’s larger receivers.

The nice thing about Hall is that because of his experience at safety he could contribute early on in nickel and dime packages as a “back end” safety while his technique as a press corner is developed. Like Eric Murray, Hall could also contribute early on special teams.

What others are saying:

From Dane Bruglar’s 2016 Draft Guide:

"top-shelf competitor with contagious swagger – often at the center of defensive huddles, uniting the troops…three career blocked kicks on special teams…team-oriented player with a resilient attitude"

From Lance Zierlein’s NFL.com profile:

"Long and lanky with the arm length and interception production that will have teams trying to find a spot for him. Hall doesn’t have the speed or mirror and match ability to be a sticky man­-cover cornerback"

While that last quote may not sound very promising for Hall making it as a corner, let me give you this little gem from Sean Smith’s CBS scouting report for the 2009 draft:

"Smith lacks the loose hips to stay with receivers on deep routes and would be more valuable when used as a centerfield safety than press cornerback."

I’m not saying it’s a lock that Hall will make it as a press cornerback in the NFL, but I like what I see from him. I think there is huge upside there and as Sean Smith’s scouting report proved, you shouldn’t believe everything you read from the so called “experts”. While some places have Hall graded as a 6th-7th round prospect I just have a feeling he won’t last that long. If he’s on the board when KC selects in the late 5th round I would have no problem if they went with Deiondre’ Hall.

LeShaun Sims – Southern Utah
6-foot-0, 203 pounds
4.53 forty, 11 bench press reps
37 inch vertical, 6.84 3-cone drill

I almost didn’t include LeShaun Sims on this list because of the lack of available game tape there is for him. However, after watching this HIGHLIGHT VIDEO I just couldn’t do it. I know, I know, you should never judge a prospect off of a highlight video. You should always watch game tape so you can see the good AND the bad. However, for a late round prospect from Southern Utah (I didn’t even know there was a Southern Utah) that highlight reel is enough for me to be fine with using a late round pick on the guy. The interceptions aren’t what sold me either, it’s the plays where Sims is glued to the wideout down the field and breaks up the pass. I know it’s a low level of competition, but that kind of tight coverage is still rare.

AA’s own Laddie Morse has written about Sims in both his piece on cornerbacks and again when writing about late round wonders. Like Morse, I’m a fan of Sims. He was one of the stars the week of the East-West Shrine Game and has been on the draft community’s radar ever since. I highly recommend you watch the highlight video I linked above. There is just something about Sims’ physicality in press man situations that I love. Yes, he will definitely need time to develop and transition to such a drastic leap in competition from Southern Utah to the NFL, but I think there is something there and John Dorsey has shown that he’s not afraid to look outside the typical power conferences for prospects.

What others are saying:

From Dane Bruglar’s 2016 Draft Guide (it really is a steal for $6.99):

"Twitchy athleticism and quick feet to consistently mirror in press…displays the speed to carry receivers downfield, finding the football with his back to the ball…hip fluidity and transition ability to stick with all types of receivers…not a shy competitor with aggressive hands downfield…physical in press and looks to jam, attacking the chest of receivers when near the line of scrimmage…fluid ballskills to make acrobatic plays with the ball in the air"

So what do you think Addicts? Do you like any or all of these mid to late round cornerback prospects? Will you still be disappointed if KC doesn’t draft a corner in the first two rounds? I know it seems like they should but I’ve been saying that about offensive tackles and wide receivers for the past couple of years and it never happens. Do these guys seem like decent fall back plans? Are there other late round corners you like better? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

As always, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!!!