Steelers Pick Shaquille Richardson CB Arizona Round 5
By Kipper
@pghsportsforum
Shaquille Richardson Arizona Pac-12
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profil...son?id=2543779
6'0"
Height
194LBS.
Weight
Overview
2013: Started all 13 games. Second on team with 3 INTs. 2012: Played in 13 games, starting 11. Led team with 14 PBUs. Had 1 INT. 2011: Played in 10 games, starting all 10. Led team with 4 INTs. 2010: Played in 13 games, starting 3. Recorded 2 INTs at Washington State in first career start. High School: No. 26 CB nationally (Scout).
Analysis
Strengths Quick and agile and is aggressive jumping routes when he sees it. Can make spectacular plays look easy -- produced one of the most sensational highlight-reel plays of the season vs. Oregon when he acrobatically tipped the ball back into play to a teammate for an interception on the first play and closed the game with an interception of his own vs. Marcus Mariota to key a surprise upset. Outstanding pro day workout, posting a 4.43-second 40, 38 1/2-inch vertical jump and 6.95-second three-cone drill time, indicating good speed, agility and explosion.
Weaknesses Very lean build. Tends to squat on routes. Lacks eye discipline to sort out run-pass reads -- is late to locate the ball and support the run. Benched in 2012 for lapses in coverage and needs to become more consistent recognizing/supporting the run and securing open-field tackles. Marginal physicality. Character will invite close scrutiny -- was arrested on suspicion of felony theft as an incoming freshman and released from UCLA program.
Draft Projection Rounds 6-7
Bottom Line A lean, leggy, underdeveloped press corner who has shown big-time flashes but must prove more consistent in coverage, a greater willingness to tackle and more maturity than he demonstrated early in his career to be given an opportunity to compete.
-Nolan Nawrocki
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Shaquille Richardson NFL Draft 2014: Highlights, Scouting Report for Steelers CB
By Ian Wharton
Shaquille Richardson, CB, Arizona (HT: 6’0.125”; WT: 188 lbs)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Fifth Round: 157th Pick
NFL Comparison: Mike Jenkins, CB, Oakland Raiders
Positives
•Excellent size and length allows him to match up against any receiver. His arm length is above average as well, helping defense passes even when he’s not in ideal positioning.
•As a zone specialist, Richardson has the strength and ability to win at the line of scrimmage. More consistency is needed in his technique, but the tools are there.
•Good ball skills when he keeps his eyes on the quarterback. The zone coverages that Arizona’s defense utilizes didn’t have Richardson turn his back and run with the receiver often, but he showed the ability to trigger from backpedalling to exploding back to the ball on curl routes.
•Maintains good gap integrity against the run, filling his lane and pushing the running back toward a teammate or the sideline.
•Efficient tackler who uses good form. Stays low to stop the running back from falling forward.
•Smooth athlete considering his size, so he can play man coverage occasionally. His hips are fairly clean, so a move to safety isn’t necessary.
•Gained a lot of experience at Arizona, starting 24 games and playing in 36 total in his four seasons. He also played on special teams, giving him another way to impact an NFL roster immediately.
Negatives
•The scheme he played in limited the opportunities for him to cover receivers downfield, so this could be due to ability or possibly just the scheme.
•While playing off coverage, he stays too far off his man on underneath and intermediate routes. He doesn’t need to give more than a few yards of cushion when downfield if he’s athletic enough to stay with his receiver. Richardson needs to get more aggressive and stay on the hip of receivers more consistently.
•He showed the ability to press at the line of scrimmage, but his technique needs improvement to play in Cover 2 more often. He needs to punch the receiver right at the snap and disrupt the timing of routes, then direct the receiver to wherever the next zone is.
•Although he had a good 2013 season, his 2012 showed a much less consistent performer. He gave up big chunk plays after blowing coverages, but that was his first season starting, and he did improve as a senior.
Collegiate Statistics
Year Team Tackles PD INT
2010 Arizona 29 9 2
2011 Arizona 47 9 4
2012 Arizona 58 15 1
2013 Arizona 55 4 3
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/...hardson-1.html
Overall
Shaquille Richardson has the size and speed that most NFL teams are now targeting, and he could possibly switch to free safety if cornerback doesn’t work out. He is a zone specialist with great length and solid potential. He should be off the board early on Day 3 of the NFL draft.
Draft Projection: Fourth round
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...ng-report-more