Auburn CB Roger McCreary
5-foot-11
190 kilos
Yahoo Sports activities’ 2022 NFL draft grade
5.84 — attainable second-rounder; starter potential
TL;DR scouting report
Brief-armed, extremely skilled nook with toughness and a nostril for the ball, however his brief arms are thought-about a notable hindrance
The thin
A 3-star Rivals recruit within the Class of 2018 as an “athlete,” McCreary selected the Tigers over North Carolina State and different applications. He performed in seven video games as a real freshman in 2018, making 5 tackles and one move breakup. McCreary noticed motion in 13 video games (one begin) in 2019, making 36 tackles (one for a loss), one interception, 12 move breakups and one fumble restoration.
In 2020, he began all 10 video games and gathered 45 tackles (seven for losses), three INTs, 9 passes defended and one pressured fumble. McCreary returned for his senior season, with 49 tackles (two for losses), one sack, two interceptions, 16 PDs and one fumble restoration. He competed on the Senior Bowl in his hometown of Cellular, Ala.
Upside
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Performs larger than his dimension — good play power and toughness
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Efficient in press protection vs. smaller receivers — likes to play bully ball
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Vegetation and drives nicely on balls thrown in entrance of him
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Good motion expertise to react to receivers’ break factors
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Aggressive fingers on the catch level — a number of late breakups on tape
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Good one-on-one battles with Penn State’s Jahan Dotson, Bama’s Jameson Williams/John Metchie
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Patterned historical past of constructing performs on the ball
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Playmaking cranked up late in 2021 — 11 PDs in closing six outings
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Good instincts to find the ball late in man protection
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Efficient and comfy in press and off-man
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Extremely skilled man nook who confronted battery of gifted receivers for three-plus years
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Confirmed some “cat” blitzing expertise late final season
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Stable tackler who usually takes down his man — and may convey some pop
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Issued first-round grade previous to senior season by Blesto scouting
Draw back
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Disappointing NFL mix testing — poor numbers in 20-yard shuttle, broad/vertical leap
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Shorter corners who run common 40s (4.5) do not typically have lengthy careers
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Very brief arms — 29 7/8 inches is as small a quantity you will see at CB
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Arm size makes press a harder ask vs. sure larger receivers
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Can get “Mossed” at catch level by longer receivers
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Late restoration velocity seems common
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Lacks spatial consciousness in zone at occasions (see Penn State recreation)
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May be best-suited to play inside within the NFL
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Solely 105 snaps of slot responsibility in school profession
Greatest-suited vacation spot
McCreary seems to be most snug in man protection, we imagine, though groups that play a big quantity of press would possibly need to think about making an attempt him inside to see how he holds up there. As soon as shorter corners lose a step, they’re in bother, however McCreary has sufficient ball expertise, instincts and toughness to take a shot on.
Do you know
McCreary informed Yahoo Sports activities that his two hardest matchups in school have been Metchie and LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase. Read more about McCreary’s impressive work in his first college start vs. Chase as a sophomore throughout LSU’s undefeated season.
Participant comp
Byron Murphy
Anticipated draft vary
Second spherical.
