#21-Senquez Golson/ CB Ole Miss: 5085, 176lbs
Round 2, Pick 56
What are we getting: Undersized guy who may be limited to the slot but experienced on the outside. Takes no prisoners when it comes to finding the football, whether it is tracking it in the air, fighting for it, or being in a constant pursuit in the run game. Loves to be physical, take on blockers to fight to the football to make plays. The worst true height of the cornerback class at 10.99ft , better than only one receiver. Relies on his positioning more than anything. Top notch instincts and ball skills.
I covered his coverage and his tackling against bigger, taller targets. GIFs below show you what I saw.
Tackling: Uses great technique and plays bigger than his listed size. Tackles bigger targets no problem. Struggles with getting off blocks at times, but there is no lack of effort. Can sometimes pursue with too much speed and can cause sloppy tackling form which leads to missed tackles.
Taking down a 6’6”, 263lb tight end can’t be easy for Golson, right? Wrong. Takes a perfect angle and recognizes that he can’t tackle him high so he goes low and the tight end goes down quickly.
Here, 6’4” wide receiver catches a comeback route and Golson takes him down. Golson doesn’t play like he is 176.
Shows his speed and great wrap-up skills here on a bigger back. Jay Ajayi is 45lbs heavier than Golson and he still brings Ajayi down. Takes strength to do such a task.
Coverage: Not afraid to be aggressive and attack the ball. Sometimes his size doesn’t allow him to make a play. Puts himself in perfect position to make plays: ten interceptions and eight passes defended last season. Very instinctive and relies on these instincts often. Reads quarterbacks well, sometimes too long. Fast, fluid hips allows him to stay at the hip of almost any receiver.
Golson allowed four touchdowns in 2014, three of those going to receivers who were 6’4” or taller. The first four GIFs here represent those four touchdowns
One of the four touchdowns against Golson, here a 6’4” receiver just runs a post route and Golson can’t get in position to make the play. Late reaction to the receiver’s break and can’t catch up. Not a size factor here, folks.
Another one of the four touchdowns against Golson, this time it is against 6’5” Hanner Shipley. Another touchdown by a 6’4”+ target and again, not a size issue. Reads the Quarterback for too long and loses position.
Touchdown by Josh Doctson of TCU:
The one touchdown that was allowed by Golson by a receiver under 6’4” here, guess who?:
Here working up against new teammate Sammie Coates, who is 6’2”, Golson uses his position to disrupt the pass and does not allow a completion.
Jump ball here between Coates and Golson, size wins here.
Excellent instincts, which is an underrated and overseen trait of Golson’s, reads the quarterback perfectly and jumps the route.
Over a 6’6” tight end, snags the ball out of the air. It’s all about ball skills and positioning.
