NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Atlanta Falcons Should Target Ole Miss Cornerback Senquez Golson

By Brett Clancy

facebooktwitterreddit

Chances are if you’ve been paying attention to any draft coverage you know the top cornerback in this year’s draft is Trae Waynes. More than likely Waynes will be available when the Atlanta Falcons go on the clock with the 8th overall pick in the draft, but with Waynes viewed as more of a picks 12-16 range guy and the Falcons more pressing need at pass rusher it would be a bit of shock to see his name called in that spot.

There could be some interesting names available in the second round, but the best value for Atlanta, who already has two solid young corners in Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford, will likely come in the mid-rounds (3-5.) That’s right about where Mississippi standout cornerback Senquez Golson is expected to be taken, and I think it could be a very nice match.

More from Atlanta Falcons

Golson is best known as the cornerback who picked off Blake Sims to seal an Ole Miss victory against SEC rival Alabama back in week 5 of the college football season, but as a mid round prospect buzz has been pretty low surrounding the former Rebels ballhawk since the season ended.

Golson turned some heads at the Senior Bowl and displayed his soft hands and top end ball skills at the combine, but he didn’t jump out of the gym at the like UCONN’s Byron Jones, nor did he blaze in the 40 yard dash like Trae Waynes, so his stock continues to hover in that mid round area. At just 5 feet 9 inches tall and 176 pounds the all around measurables don’t jump out at you, but make no mistake Golson can easily out play his projection as a mid round pick.

As a prospect, Golson has quick feet and enough speed to stick to receivers streaking down field as well as excellent ball skills with CBS Sports scouting report going so far as to say he “makes acrobatic interceptions look easy.” He’s not afraid to come up in run support and though he didn’t play much man coverage he’s aggressive enough and physical enough to excel in a press man system.

The big knock against Golson is his size. Golson can struggle covering bigger receivers, leading many scouts to believe he’ll have to play inside in the NFL. That should be fine by the Falcons who are ideally looking for a player to solidify the nickel corner slot with the aforementioned Alford and Trufant penciled in as starters on the outside. I just think it’s important to note that while Golston will be ideally suited inside he should be viewed as a nickel exclusive prospect. Head Coach Dan Quinn likes versatility in his players and I think that could be what ultimately puts Golson over the top.

While bigger cornerbacks may be the current trend as wide receivers continue to get bigger, recent history suggests you don’t have to be 6’2 to succeed as an outside corner. The Denver Broncos just signed a similarly sized Chris Harris to a big money extension based on his ability to excel both outside and in the slot and Miami Dolphins corner Brent Grimes, whom Golson has been compared to, continues to be a top playmaker at the position.

Starting out in the slot may be a necessity, just don’t think that’s all you’re getting. And in Golson’s defense the height difference does have to be rather sizeable to truly exploit him as he allowed only one touchdown to an opponent under 6’4, so as long as Golson measures within six inches of his opponent he should be fine.

Whatever Golson lacks in measurables he more than makes up for in production.

Nov 1, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Ole Miss Rebels defensive back Senquez Golson (21) during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Auburn defeated Ole Miss 35-31. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

You may know Louisville Safety, Gerod Holliman, lead the FBS with 14 interceptions in 2014, but you may not know that Golson finished second and as the only other player with double digit (10) interceptions.

Golson is touted by scouts as one of those guys who just ‘gets it,’ he understands routes and coverages and angles and timing.

And that ball hawking ability isn’t just from football. Golson learned to track balls on the baseball diamond where he was so skilled that the Boston Red Sox drafted him in the 8th round as a centerfielder out of high school.

Turning down $1.4 million to go to college as a two sport athlete (he also reportedly turned down a football scholarship from Alabama because they didn’t want him playing baseball) though he dropped baseball after his freshman year to focus on football and has gotten better every year.

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn has seen what an undersized playmaker with high football IQ and baseball background can do when put into the right situation, so while Golson may not match the profile of the bigger more physical corners in Seattle, he’s a competitor and a playmaker who could make an immediate impact as a rookie and could be an absolute steal in the 3rd or 4th rounds of this year’s draft.

Next: Making the case for Randy Gregory

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/Atlanta Falcons