The biggest cornerback sleeper of the 2018 NFL Draft may just be Tulane Green Wave standout Parry Nickerson. A thin frame is going to be the significant knock against him, but if Nickerson manages to bulk up without losing too much of his speed, he could have a solid pro-level future.
If nothing else, Nickerson will be known as the fastest player (tied) to emerge from the 2018 NFL Draft—a decent distinction to own.
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Nickerson, a redshirt senior, burst out of the gates and finished strong with a 4.32 time in the 40-yard dash. It was an impressive showing by the 6’0″ cornerback, who all but confirmed his playmaking potential at the Scouting Combine.
There’s certainly more work to be done, but Nickerson has the ability to gamble for interceptions and recover quickly when he mistimes his reads.
Between the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Nickerson hauled in 10 interceptions and recorded 17 passes defended. He returned both an interception and a fumble recovery for touchdowns during his collegiate career, which is again a testament to his speed and playmaking potential.
Nickerson is tough and competitive, but he’ll need to bulk up and prove that he can tackle in the NFL if he’s going to realize his potential.