2020 NFL Draft: Top 5 nickel cornerback position rankings

2 of 6

Reid Harrison-Ducros Nickel

Duquesne Dukes Football /

Scouting Report

Many have probably never heard of a small FCS school called Duquesne and rightfully so. There is a player there who needs to be talked about as a serious sleeper who fits the nickel position perfectly.

Smaller in stature at 5’10” and 185lbs, Reid Harrison-Ducros is a Boise State transfer who has absolutely dominated in since his transition to the FCS level. His dominance is what you want to see from a small school player and his traits certainly add up as well. Allow this writer to introduce you to the Reid Harrison-Ducros experience…

Harrison-Ducros won’t be tasked with a lot of press coverage in the slot but he has the perfect patience and quick feet to slide and mirror any release. He isn’t afraid to shoot his jab either to try and redirect receivers. Watching him flip his hips in press coverage to match releases gives you insight into how fluid his hips are before you even get to his off coverage. He has very good hip fluidity and can flip inside out without having to speed turn and lose his eyes.

More from With the First Pick

His short area quickness is elite and can change directions in space with elite burst out of his breaks. Very technically sound in his game, he wastes no steps in any of his transitions. He displays very good mental processing as he shows the ability to properly distribute his leverage between routes when in zone coverage.

He breaks on the football in a hurry with good ball skills to get his hands on the football consistently. Harrison-Ducros also displays solid footspeed to carry vertical routes, will be interesting what he times in the forty. Good in run support, willing to set the edge and be an efficient tackler in space who limits extra yards for ball carriers.

Many will have concerns about his level of competition but his elite short area quickness, very good mental processing, and good run support abilities will translate very well to the nickel position regardless of competition. He deserves more love as a prospect and should definitely be one of the small school prospects selected come April. Reid Harrison-Ducros has the ability to develop into a valuable starter at the nickel with the upside to be one of the best in the game at the position so remember the name.

Home/NFL Draft News