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Steelers proudly pick from Georgia Deandre Baker CB
Baker's game progressed each season for the Bulldogs, culminating with a senior season that saw him earn first-team Associated Press All-American honors and win the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back. Baker was also a first-team All-SEC pick, starting 13 games and recording 40 tackles, two interceptions and a team-high 10 pass breakups. He was a second-team All-SEC selection his junior year, starting 14 of 15 games played, making 44 tackles, intercepting three passes, and breaking up nine more. One of those interceptions came against Alabama in the national championship game. As a sophomore, he announced himself a pro prospect by picking off two passes and breaking up five others while starting 7 of 12 games played (31 tackles, one sack). Baker was a three-star prospect and all-state track performer for Miami Northwestern before heading to Athens, and managed to play in 11 games as a true freshman (one tackle).
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Asante Samuel
Overview
Pesky press corner who has proven he can thrive against man-to-man challenges in a competitive conference. Baker isn't a burner, but has good play speed and the foot quickness and pattern recognition to stay tight in his coverage. The biggest issue teams might have with Baker is determining whether or not he can give up 30-plus pounds against bigger, outside receivers and still hold up. While there might be some matchup concerns at times, his ball skills, talent and competitive nature should overcome his smaller frame.
Strengths
Consistency and competitiveness are his hallmarks
No touchdowns allowed with five interceptions since 2017
Confident in press coverage
Crowds release-acceleration to slow route-timing
Has quick trigger to turn and sprint when needed
Foot quickness to stay tied to early phase of routes
Dials into opponents' route speed and stays in-phase
Good feel for timing of route breaks for effective matching
Excellent field awareness and in constant state of communication with teammates
Loves to squat and lurk on underneath route from off-man
Impressive burst to close
Plays the edges to challenge throws
Good timing on jump balls
Aggressive and accurate swipes at the catch point
Willing and able as open-field tackler
Weaknesses
Small by NFL standards with thin lower body
Matching against NFL size on the outside could be a concern
Early to open hips against press fakes from Alabama receivers
Grabby when trailing complex routes
Physicality at the top of routes will be flagged in the pros
Plays a little too tall in space
Inconsistent reading quarterback's eyes for early jumps on the throw
Struggles to disengage from blocks in perimeter run support
Overview
Ball-hawking man corner who makes up for a lack of physical tools with outstanding instincts, toughness, and short-area quickness. Murphy's ball production per target is as good as you will find thanks to an innate ability to process the quarterback and route development simultaneously. His long speed is below average and will panic and start grabbing when he ends up in an unexpected trail position. His short-area twitch and run support toughness could make him an early target for teams looking for help at the nickel.
Strengths
His body type is a little underdeveloped, but he's not small
Has all the football IQ and instincts teams look for
Coached to maintain sight-line to quarterback for optimal recognition
Generally stays in-phase
Twitchy feet for instant plant and drive
Made plays on 31 percent of his targeted throws over two years
Posted 7 interceptions and 20 pass breakups in just 87 career targets
Good downfield body control to track and play the ball
Hyper-competitive in his run-support duties
Steps downhill and strikes like an angry safety
Has twitch and toughness for consideration at nickel spot
Weaknesses
Lacks height, weight, speed numbers associated with outside corners
Has played in just 20 career games
Below-average footwork to adjust to receiver's release
Grabs and hitches to receiver to help match the pattern
Comes in hot and can overrun the tackle
Quicker than fast with questionable long speed
Bumpy backpedal and lacks fluidity in his transition
Trade: Arizona Cardinals trade Josh Rosen to the Washington Redskins for 2nd #46
Trade: Cincinatti Bengals trade Joe Mixon, 4th #110 , 6th #198 to the San Francisco 49ers for Jerrick McKinnon 3rd #67
Trade: Arizona Cardinals trade Josh Rosen to the Washington Redskins for 2nd #46
Trade: Cincinatti Bengals trade Joe Mixon, 4th #110 , 6th #198 to the San Francisco 49ers for Jerrick McKinnon 3rd #67
Houston takes from Iowa TE T.J. Hockenson " Houston is Hockn' & Cockn' today folks
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison Travis Kelce
Overview
In a draft that feels light on high-end talent, Hockenson is an ascending talent with a chance to become one of the best all-around tight ends in the game. He should continue to fill out his athletic frame, but he's already a sound in-line blocker with the toughness to sustain and finish. His above-average athleticism and separation burst will help him win against linebackers while his body control and hands give him an advantage over safeties. Hockenson has standout talent and fits any scheme, but he could be coveted early by teams looking to delve more heavily in 12-personnel (two TE packages).
Strengths
Competitive and athletic
Bursts upfield from stance finding early separation in seam
Long stride into one-step cut to uncover underneath
Fluid and fast in intermediate and deep work
Runs leveraged, sharp routes and stacks tight coverage
Accelerates out of cuts and turns to separate
Intelligent use of frame to shield the catch point
Able to create late-catch space and secure with sticky hands
Above-average catch radius and secures through contact
Punches with crisp, inside hands as blocker
Runs feet through contact as move blocker
Sustains and finishes blocks when he gets locked in
Weaknesses
Narrow, athletic frame needs additional muscle mass
Can work away from zone defender to help quarterback
High-point attempts can be slightly mistimed
Gets in a big hurry as run blocker
Early over-step loses desired block centering
Comes in hot up to second-level targets
Needs better anticipation/adjustment to moving targets
Could struggle to maintain reasonable anchor in pass pro
Sources Tell Us
"Freaky athlete. I thought he would go back, but I'm glad he didn't. I think he will beat Alabama (Irv Smith, Jr.) off the board first." -- Pro personnel director for NFC team