2017 NFL Draft Comparisons: Prospect-Player Matches

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) tackles Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) tackles Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) celebrates with cornerback Marshon Lattimore (2) after intercepting pass against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) celebrates with cornerback Marshon Lattimore (2) after intercepting pass against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Prospect: Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State

Comparison: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, New York Giants

Marshon Lattimore is one of the more interesting prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft class. He’s someone with elite athleticism, excellent size and balance. Throughout his career, Lattimore has shown the ability to be a lockdown defender.

The issue is that he doesn’t have a ton of experience and may go through some ups and downs early in his career. However, his upside is through the roof making him someone capable of developing into an elite player.

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Lattimore’s skill set compares favorable to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Both are long and athletic cornerbacks. Their length helps them matchup with different targets in man coverage. They also have the speed run with any receiver and recover.

Rodgers-Cromartie entered the league as someone who needed some development. He quickly learned the ins and outs of the position which made him one of the better cornerbacks in the league.

The one difference is that Rodgers-Cromartie had a lot more ball production in college than Lattimore. Rodgers-Cromartie routinely got his hands on the football and produced interceptions while at Tennessee State.

Lattimore has a career total of 4 interceptions with one year as a starter under his belt. Those are solid numbers, but it’s hard to judge his overall ball skills based on his limited experience.