2020 NFL Draft: Top 5 nickel cornerback position rankings

Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech

There is no one better in all of the land at finding the football than Amik Robertson. There might be a picture of his face next to the term “ball hawk” in the football glossary. Elite ball skills are hard to find and he makes it look so easy.

A 3-year starter at Louisiana Tech, Robertson is only a true junior yet has already racked up 14 interceptions and 48 passes defended up to this point in his career. Seeing him dominate the level he’s playing at is what you want to see from a non-Power 5 prospect.

He doesn’t just get lucky finding the football, it’s a testament to his football acumen. Robertson has elite instincts at his position and it shows when you see him make plays on footballs that aren’t even in his zone. He makes the cautious effort to break on the football even if it isn’t in his zone because if the ball is in the air then he believes it’s his.

He process routes with very good mental processing which helps him not get fooled by teams trying to high-low him. Robertson does not get fooled when teams send guys out of his zone and try to slip one back to him in hopes that he’s vacated his zone. He effortlessly flips his hips with great fluidity which adds to his intrigue as what he can be as a nickel.

He stays tight on routes, making guys compete on every play in his coverage. He brings that same toughness when tackling as he shows good ability to tackle ball carriers in space and limit extra yards.

There isn’t enough tape of him playing in the slot against different body types but the traits he has are exciting. A player who has elite instincts, elite ball skills and high football IQ should always be able to find a spot on the NFL. Amik Robertson is a player who can flip the field at any time and every defense should covet someone who brings his elite playmaking to the table.

5

Myles Bryant Nickel

Scouting Report

Myles Bryant’s evaluation at the position is the most accurate because it isn’t just a projection. He already comes into the draft process with plenty of tape of him playing the nickel position at a high level in the Washington secondary.

A move to the safety position this season due to need has hurt his stock a little but shows his character as a team player. His traits are perfect for the nickel position because he has the chance to be a player who carves out a career similar to that of Kenny Moore from the Indianapolis Colts.

He has very good awareness as an underneath defender. He mentally processes routes concepts at a high level as a guy who can direct traffic and communicate to other teammates. His good hip fluidity allows him to be good in man to man situations from in off coverage. Plays with an aggressive trigger that leads to him being very good in his click and close abilities.

He consistently uses very good change of direction skills to put himself in position to make plays on the football in space and close the space on pass catchers to limit yards after the catch. He is very physical and willing to get his hands dirty as a guy who sets the edge well in run support so that his teammates can succeed.

Bryant comes downhill with reckless abandon to blow up blockers on screens without losing his leverage on the ball which is imperative when playing in space.  Bryant is a good tackler in space who consistently shoots through the outside knee of ball carriers to ensure they end up on the ground.

There will be concerns about his overall athleticism which means he has to test well at the combine to at least match the speed he plays at on tape. He is listed generously on the Washington website at 5’9” and 185lbs but looks closer to 175lbs so it will be interesting to see if he can add more weight to his frame.

He is the premier nickel in this class even if he doesn’t have the stock as the other guys in the group. Myles Bryant’s tape as a nickel makes him less of a projection and the closest thing to a safe pick from this position group.