Ladarius Gunter, CB, 6'1", 202 lbs

[Toker Smurf]

Do want, been available in the 5th round in most of the simulations I've run.

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Very good height/weight with an ability to redirect from press coverage. Active, strong hands. Rips at the ball and wide receiver's arms during attempted catch. Aggressive in the red zone. Will sit on routes and look to make plays on the ball. Flashed at Senior Bowl practices with a nose for the ball. Wrap-up tackler who is patient in run support and works to position of leverage and containment. Excels in off coverage and has played outside, as single-high safety and over tight ends. Plays on kick-coverage team.

WEAKNESSES

Unable to consistently mirror and match in man to man and shows some tightness when attempting to open up and run. Marginal play speed and appears to lack a second gear on tape. Has issues with awareness. Will lose track of his responsibility in man and zone coverage, and fails to find ball when playing with back to the ball. Will eyeball quarterback for too long rather than scanning field. Gives ground to stay clean in run support rather than attacking and shedding.

SOURCES TELL US

"He was good at Senior Bowl practices, but that's just a tool. You have to try and find what he did over there on tape. It didn't always match up." -- AFC West scout

NFL COMPARISON

Josh Norman

BOTTOM LINE

Has the desired size, length and playmaking qualities to be a starting cornerback but his perceived lack of play speed and inconsistency in man coverage could cause teams to peg him as a zone corner, which might drop him by a round.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/ladarius-gunter?id=2552574

[rmoneyg35]

Has good size and I like the fact he is good vs the run. Also says he goes after the ball which is good. I have a feeling we will get a CB in the 5th round. This guy would be a nice pick up for us.

[JawnyBlaze]

NFL comparison: Josh Norman you say?  Color me interested.

 

Always a good sign when you're well known and unique enough to have someone compared to you.

[rmoneyg35]

NFL comparison: Josh Norman you say? Color me interested.

Always a good sign when you're well known and unique enough to have someone compared to you.

NFL.com uses all sorts of comparisons for players. Byron Bell could be someone that a prospect compares to because they use good and bad players.

[JawnyBlaze]

NFL.com uses all sorts of comparisons for players. Byron Bell could be someone that a prospect compares to because they use good and bad players.

 

Oh, I know.  That's why I used the word unique, because they typically don't use random people with no identifiable traits as comparisons.  There's got to be some quality to use as the comparison.  Sometimes it's a good thing, sometimes it's bad.  If they're comparing him to Norman of last year, it has to be a good comparison.