2021 NFL Draft: What happened to stock of Andre Cisco?

Once thought to be one of the first defensive players off the board, Andre Cisco is now not even sure where he will land in the 2021 NFL Draft. For the most part, neither do the rest of us. Bursting on the scene his freshman season at Syracuse with seven picks, nine pass deflections, and 60 tackles. Which was then followed up with a second consecutive season of good stats notching 65 tackles, five picks, and five pass deflections. Unfortunately, he couldn’t produce an even more electric stat line in 2020.

Cisco suffered a brutal knee injury ruining any chance he had to make a solid impact on the season, which marked another season not finishing every game. In three seasons Cisco played just one full season. Unfortunately for him, it was in 2018.

The NFL is a league where injuries are becoming more and more common, players coming into the league with injuries get more and more knocks. If we had a regular NFL Combine, and Cisco went and left with a failed physical his stock would tank even more. However, lucky for him there is no official combine this year and this could be to his advantage. Cisco is 6-foot-0 and 210 pounds and looks the part of a prototype safety at the next level.

If you are unsure of the current value of safeties at the next level top-safety Jamal Adams, last year was traded from the New York Jets to the Seattle Seahawks for two first-round picks and a second-rounder. With the evolution of the tight end position to a hybrid and running backs getting a little bigger, having a do-it-all safety has become invaluable.

So why the sudden drop in NFL Draft stock?

Two big things are a factor here, one is the fact he has not stayed healthy. It’s hard to want to trust a safety when they can’t stay healthy, as they are asked to do everything from being in the box to, one-on-one coverage, and stop the over-the-top threat. The other could be the evolutions of other safeties such a Trevon Moehrig, TCU. Over the last two seasons at Syracuse, Cisco has played fewer games than his freshman season. If he had played all the games, his numbers would have projected better overall than his high-end freshman season.

Had he played every game, I have no doubt he would be in a solid conversation for a first-round selection being able to go and get the ball and tackle anyone.

There are also questions about mid-season form. He started off fast in both his first and second seasons having four picks and six tackles his first four games in his freshman year, and 14 tackles and two picks in his second season. However, until the last few weeks of the season he had no interceptions, but increased tackles.

What Cisco brings to the next level

In the last few weeks of both seasons, his interceptions went up and tackles went down. Cisco, has issues tackling when it comes to angles, and even with some freak athletic ability for his position is not confident in the run game, he slows down and doesn’t attack run lanes or holes. This could be a lack of development due to a lack of game time for him or mentally he is unsure of how to attack the run game. Also, there are questions about his man-to-man coverage, he is an old-school ball-hawking safety.

Joe Marino of The Draft Network highlights the peaks of his game:

"“Syracuse safety Andre Cisco’s college career will be remembered for the frequent splash plays he made on the football that resulted in 13 interceptions and 14 pass breakups in just 24 games. He’s a ball magnet and his ability to take away the football makes him an appealing prospect. Not only is he a ballhawk, but Cisco’s size and athleticism are also both plus traits.”"

His fit at the next level for a do-it-all safety is questionable, but if he can get in the right system and developed correctly he could be one of the most dangerous safeties in football. His best fit is with the San Francisco 49ers, with a realistic landing spot on day-two of the 2021 NFL Draft.