As we delve further into the Pittsburgh Steelers offseason, our attention has shifted towards the draft. Live we’ve done in the past, these reports will cover the prospects of the 2015 NFL Draft, placing an emphasis on those who could help the Steelers the most.
The Steelers certainly could stand to draft a cornerback early this year and preferably in the first three rounds as opposed to waiting to the fifth. Today we will look at a cornerback who is making a lot of noise right now who’s expected to have a big showing this week at the Senior Bowl. If you haven’t heard of Miami of Ohio’s Quinten Rollins just yet, you will likely know plenty about him by Sunday.
#2 Quinten Rollins/CB Miami (Ohio) – 6’1 203
The Good
– Perfect measurables at 6’1, 203 pounds
– Nice vertical leaping ability
– Above average see-to-do
– Great ball-skills
– Already a good tackler
– Physical
– Played off, press and press bail on both sides
– Film buff
The Bad
– One year of college playing experience
– Very raw and lacks technique
– Commitment to sport in question
– Long speed questions
Other
– Graduated with a degree in sports studies
– Two-time MAC East Defensive Player of the Week
– Team MVP
– First team all MAC
– MAC Defensive Player of the Year
– 72 tackles, 7 interceptions, 4 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble and 9 pass breakups in 2014
Tape Breakdown:
If you want to get yourself worked up into a lather quickly about Rollins, just have a look at his highlight tape from 2014. He only played one season of football at Miami of Ohio as he spent four years playing point guard for their basketball team.
Here is Rollins’ first career college interception against Eastern Kentucky and you can see his leaping ability and ball-skills on display here. In case you’re currious, the wide receiver he’s covering on this play is listed at 6’5, 220 pounds.
Looking for a cornerback that can read a play well and drive on an underneath catch? Watch Rollins recognize the underneath throw here. He leaves his man and closes quickly on the receiver with great form. Not only does he keep him short of the sticks, he also separates the man from the football.
While he does give up the catch here, there is no YAC allowed by Rollins. It’s easy to highlight some of his pass breakups and interceptions, but this is the kind of stuff that really gets you excited about Rollins. He’s pretty fearless and uses his body well.
You will likely hear the term “click-and-close” associated with Rollins leading up to the draft and here is a great example of that.
Rollins is not without his share of warts, however, and a few of them were on display against Michigan. Playing press against Amara Darboh, Rollins lunges with his jam attempt and as a result he’s off balance and gives up the easy inside release for a quick slant that results in a touchdown.
Here is some bad that is immediately followed up by some good. Rollins gets caught looking into the backfield way too long and the wide receiver stops and comes back to the football while Rollins carries himself another 10 yards down the field.
Rollins atones for his mistake, however, by getting his helmet on the football while attempting to make the tackle and he forces a fumble as a result.
Rollins flips too soon here and has no chance at contesting the outside break. If the quarterback makes a better throw, this is an easy first down.
We’ll end the gifs on a positive note and this is another reason to get excited about Rollins. Watch him work through the blocker on this screen to make the tackle for no gain.
For a player that only played one year of college football, Rollins sure managed to put together a very impressive highlight reel in 2014. That basketball athleticism really shows and it looked like he made huge improvements as the season wore on. While he certainly has the measurables, Rollins’ has his share of warts and teams will have to consider how many of those are correctable with good coaching. You have to like his ceiling and you can’t teach the size, leaping ability and closing attributes that he has.
While he did play some press and man, Rollins is probably best suited to play off coverage initially at the NFL level while he refines his technique. He’s already not afraid to hit and tackle and that will certainly be a plus when the Steelers look at his tape. He should be able to make an impact instantly on special teams.
Rollins might be a secret to many people right now, but come draft day everybody will know his name. he will play in the Senior Bowl this week and should be a workout warrior at the NFL combine next month. If he runs a 4.4 forty-yard-dash or better, he should solidify himself as a first or early second-round selection. I don’t know much about his character just yet, but I do know that he already as a young mouth to feed.
Not having all-22 tape to look at Rollins makes it tough to see all of his warts, but when you look at the selection of TV tape that I have attached, you can’t help but like it. If the Steelers want to draft Rollins, they’ll likely have to stray from the norm and draft him in the first round if he’s still on the board come time the 22nd pick rolls around.
Projection: Late 1st – Late 2nd
Games Watched: at Michigan, vs Ohio, at Buffalo
Previous Scouting Reports
