With The First Pick
Fansided

Gareon Conley the Perfect Pick for Oakland Raiders

By Carl Cockerham

Nov 5, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp (1) cannot pull in a pass in the first quarter under pressure from Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp (1) cannot pull in a pass in the first quarter under pressure from Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Dec 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley (8) intercepts a pass intended for Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams (bottom) during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley (8) intercepts a pass intended for Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams (bottom) during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Stats and Analytics

The sum of all Conley’s physical parts equals the shutdown CB he was in 2016. According to Pro Football Focus, he gave up an average of just 0.51 yards per coverage snap. That total was the best in this draft class among CBs that played at least 160 coverage snaps.

Opposing QBs had an NFL passer rating of just 14 when throwing his way. That was not a misprint, 14 is the number, good enough for the best in all of college football. He allowed a completion rate of only 37 percent, defended eight passes and had eight INTs.

Seven of the 14 receptions he allowed came in the final two games of the year. His last game was against Clemson QB Deshaun Watson (No. 10 overall) and WR Mike Williams (No. 7 overall). Watson was 2-4 for 27 yards and an INT throwing to Williams with Conley on him.

In total, he went 3-7 for 35 yards and the INT total while not throwing a TD on Conley. Conley was statistically the hardest CB in college football to throw on in 2016. He just needs to work on his tackling, missing a tackle once in every 5.6 attempts last year.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders