2014 Draft

2014 NFL Draft Player Scouting Report – Rice CB Phillip Gaines

By Alex Kozora

Posted on April 17, 2014 at 8:15 am

By Alex Kozora

Our focus has shifted to the offseason and for the next few months, I’ll be providing scouting reports on several draft prospects. Some of these players the Pittsburgh Steelers may look at and others will be top players that will be off the board before they select. All to make you as prepared as possible for the 2014 NFL Draft.

A brief report on Rice cornerback Phillip Gaines.

Phillip Gaines/CB Rice: 6’0/3 193

The Good

– Bulk and size are above average

– Possesses quick feet

– Agile with strong change of direction

– Loose hips and transitions well

– Low in his pedal, especially for taller frame

– Enough speed to play at the next level

– Long strider

– Capable of providing a big hit

– Plays the ball in the air well and can play the pocket

– Tons of starting experience

The Bad

– Not a ton of upper body strength and lacks ability to shed receivers in the run game

– Didn’t see much time in the slot, mostly played outside the numbers

– Aggressive tackler that doesn’t always wrap, leading with his shoulder

– Possibly shy in the run game, doesn’t get his nose that dirty

– One year of production with his interceptions

– Character concerns?

– Medical issues early in career

Other

– Played in 52 career games with 40 career starts

– 2012 and 2013 First Team All C-USA

– 2013: 36 tackles, 9 PDs, 4 interceptions

– Didn’t record an interception prior to 2012

– 27 passes defended in 2012 and 2013 combined

– Only played in five games in 2011 due to a left foot injury

– Dealt with knee injury in camp prior to senior season

– Broken wrist in 2009, played with cast, then suffered another season-ending injury two games later

– Two-year captain

– Arrested on a misdemeanor in 2011 for carrying less than two ounces of marijuana

– Suspended for 2013 opener for violation of team rules

Tape Breakdown

Gaines is the athlete you’d expect based on his Combine numbers (4.38 40, 4.04 20 shuttle, 36.5 vertical). Loose hips for his size and flips with ease.

Quick change of direction defending this jerk route against La Tech. Gaines at the top of the screen.

Following play really tested his agility and feet. Cornerback at the top of the screen. Ball not thrown to him but still a “plus” play. Receiver stems to the outside off the line, works back inside, and them cuts back outside. Gaines doesn’t get turned around, doesn’t overcommit, and keeps his feet moving. Passes with flying colors.

Reads the quarterback in his zone, flips his hips, locates the ball, and picks it off. What you want in a cornerback.

Will admit I didn’t get as close of a look at him as I had hoped and generally speaking, cornerbacks are difficult to evaluate with TV tape. But a couple negatives did pop up.

Can lay the lumber but at the risk of lowering his shoulder instead of fundamentally wrapping up. Will cause him to miss tackles.

Lacks upper body strength and can get pushed around from stalk blocks in the run game.

Was an encouraging sign he stayed healthy his final two years after missing time in the early portion of his career. Injury in 2011 caused him to medical redshirt.

Character is something teams will be able to evaluate much better than I could. Two year captain is nothing to scoff at but did have the arrest and the suspension. Overall, however, Gaines is billed as a leader and hard worker.

Gaines will fit in just fine in a zone scheme where he predominantly played in college. I probably would rate Darqueze Dennard and Jason Verrett higher than Gaines but with those players likely going early and not falling into Round Two, Gaines is not a bad option. Quick feet and change of direction Dick LeBeau desires.

Projection: Mid Second

Games Watched: vs Louisiana Tech, vs Marshall, vs Mississippi St (Bowl)