Aug 14, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Ronald Darby (28) during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers in a preseason NFL football game at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Ronald Darby absolutely looked like a first round prospect last year with the Florida State Seminoles. He should have been the No. 2 corner behind Marcus Peters based on tape from college. But of course, Peters had is subordination issues while Trae Waynes killed the NFL Scouting Combine to take the No. 1 corner spot.
Darby wasn’t a joke at the combine himself, posting a 4.38 40, a 41.5-inch vertical leap and a 6.94 3-cone drill time. But he measured in at only 5’11”, 193 pounds while there’s a premium on big corners these days. Every corner that was selected before Darby measured in at 6’0″ or above.
But Rex Ryan, whose Buffalo Bills didn’t have a pick in the first round was happy to get him in the second. And from the first time Darby set foot on the Bill’s facilities, Ryan has been impressed. Ryan told the Buffalo News, “His movement is outstanding. He can run with probably anybody in the this league, so that’s no surprise.”
And run with anybody he’s assigned to cover he has, not allowing much in the way of catches and yards. Right now, Darby is the No. 4-rated corner by Pro Football Focus with his two interceptions and no touchdowns given up so far. Quarterbacks have a rating of 56 when throwing his way and he has five passes defended.
This makes him the best rookie at his position and a true steal in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Next: 2016-nfl-mock-draft-two-rounds-week-7