Bears: 3 Tom Herman connections in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Loren Miller
3. Caden Sterns, Defensive Back
Out of the three players mentioned here from Texas, I think the guy that probably gets the most playing time early is the 6-foot-1 junior safety. I say that because of the need for tall defensive backs in the pass happy NFL and also the special teams factor. Ossai long term has probably the biggest upside but will need to be in the right scheme.
A lot of teams will like Sterns size and length to go make plays in the secondary. In three years at Texas, Sterns had five interceptions but on tape it shows more of how important he was to the Texas defense. From tipped passes on deep balls to coming up into the box and breaking down to make tackles on swing passes and screens, Sterns was successful player for Herman.
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He opted out early in 2020 during his junior year to focus on the draft so he will be ready to show off to scouts what his measureables are that go with his great frame. With cap issues, I can see Sterns in play for the Saints late in the second round at 60 or maybe early in the third round to the Texans at 67. A lot of where he goes will depend on his testing, however I don’t see him falling beyond the beginning of day three.