With The First Pick
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2020 NFL Draft Big Board: Ranking the Top 10 Cornerbacks

By Jeremiah Bogan

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 16: Shaun Wade #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates his interception with teammate Jeff Okudah #1 in the first quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 16: Shaun Wade #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates his interception with teammate Jeff Okudah #1 in the first quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 29: Stacy Coley #3 of the Miami Hurricanes catches the ball as Troy Pride Jr. #18 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is there for the tackle at Notre Dame Stadium on October 29, 2016 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Miami 30-27. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 29: Stacy Coley #3 of the Miami Hurricanes catches the ball as Troy Pride Jr. #18 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is there for the tackle at Notre Dame Stadium on October 29, 2016 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Miami 30-27. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

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Troy Pride 5

Scouting Report

Possibly the fastest defensive player in this 2020 NFL Draft class, it’s no secret that Troy Pride Jr. possess legit 4.3 speed. The stats won’t excite you but to fully understand his game you have to turn on the tape. Pride Jr. is a very cerebral and savvy zone corner who often does not get targeted which hurts his evaluation a little bit because he isn’t able to make plays.

Throwing deep on him is a lost cause as he consistently turns and runs stride for stride with receivers with ease. The biggest step he has made this year has been improved footwork in off coverage and improved technique in press coverage. He has improved what was a clunky back pedal in 2018 which has allowed him to be more consistent in his click and close abilities.

An improved back pedal has led to more efficient footwork that has helped him show his good change of direction abilities when coming downhill on throws in front of him. Pride Jr. has taken his press coverage another step as well, showing improved patience and trusting his speed enough to let him stay squarer when mirroring releases.

These improvements have helped his stock and have brought a level of intrigue as to what he can be as a man to man corner at the next level. Concerns over his ball skills and playing the ball in the air will show up and rightfully so. There is a very intriguing combination of traits that he has packaged into a 5-11 and 194lb that will make teams fall in love.

A Senior Bowl acceptance and a guy who is ready to turn the NFL Combine into a track meet, 2020 NFL Draft fans should be very aware that the best of his stock has yet to come. Troy Pride Jr. sits firmly in the Top 10 but seeing him go through the drills at the combine will help answer questions that will have him knocking on the door of the top five at his position and cement his status as a Day two pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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