Every year I dive into the lists of prospects to find one player that I put my stamp of approval on. Are my stamps of approval worth anything? No, they are not. However, I will always take the time to find a guy that nobody is talking about and express my belief in that individual. Because every year you can find talent across the board and you just really never know who’s going to make a name for themselves at the next level.
This year, I am putting my stamp of approval on North Carolina Central cornerback, Bryan Mills. I have my own set of ideals when it comes to what a cornerback should be able to do. If Mills gets a chance in the league to develop and really polish his game, there is a good chance he could be a starting NFL cornerback. Let’s dive in.
Games Watched (with links):
Combine Results:
Pros
- His long arms make him an ideal corner when it comes to playing man to man, as his team had him pressing a majority of the snaps I watched. Effectively might I add.
- Has great hip movement that allows him to mirror his assignment. Rarely anticipates or bites on any fakes.
- Good ball skills. Very good at keeping his eye on the ball when it’s being thrown his way and high points it.
- Good vertical which allows him to out-jump receivers when trying to high point the ball.
- Very disciplined when it comes to staying in his zone. Always keeps his eyes on the quarterback and moves where the eyes are going.
Cons
- His slim frame is concerning and it shows when he’s going against a bigger receiver, trying to shed blocks, as well as his inability to finish tackles.
- Does not show much aggression when going against the run. When he does go in for a tackle he doesn’t always shoot at the ideal angle.
- Struggles to find ball carriers when they’re going to his side.
- Has been caught backpedaling flat-footed/on his heels on more than a few occasions. In some instances he losses his balance a bit when trying to change direction.
- Average speed. He has been beaten by good route runners but has made some nice recoveries after getting beat.
Overview
Mills has displayed a lot of the tools I look for when trying to find a corner. Good ball skills, the ability to man-press, having a long frame, with good hip movement. What will decide his fate will be his weight and his footwork. He was listed at 174lbs at the combine, which is certainly concerning. However, there was a reason he was invited to the senior bowl and it’s not because he lacks talent. A year or two to gain some muscle (at least 16lbs to get to 190lbs) and some time to polish his footwork… And he could be a good starting cornerback in the NFL.
Best fits:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Arizona Cardinals
- Denver Broncos
- Dallas Cowboys