SS Jayron Kearse - Clemson

[Soul Rebel]

Jayron Kearse - SS - Clemson

He declared for the draft and received a 2nd round grade from the board. A good combine/pro-day and he could be hovering around our 1st round pick. A sub-par combine/pro-day and he could be there for us in the 2nd/3rd round (or later). 

He could be Kam Chancellor, or he could be Durell Eskridge.

I honestly didn't follow him all season, so Tigers fans should chime in on this.  Watched a bunch of draftbreakdown vids of him and observed the following:

 

+ Size. A rangy rover that patrolled all 3 levels on the defensive side of the ball.  

+ Game speed. Not a burner, but for his size, covered ground adequately and never out of the play.

+ Physical. Layed the lumber quite a bit, but not recklessly. Supported the run often and can get after the QB when called upon in blitz packages. 

+ Good Hands

- Inconsistent coverage skills.

- Needs to improve angles in pursuit

 

Overall, I liked what I saw and see potential in him.  Again, if he continues to hone his game, he could be a top-SS in the NFL and who wouldn't want a guy nearly 6'5" on their backend. His size could be what allowed him to flourish in college, so it will be interesting to see if he can continue his level of successes at the next level.  When we have to face guys like Jimmy Graham, Seferian-Jenkins, etc. at the TE position around the league, a guy like Kearse would negate a lot of the TE/intermediate passing territory.

Carolina needs a young SS to pair with Coleman and I hope they address this in the first 3 rounds. He also has bloodlines in the NFL.... Jevon Kearse is his uncle, and Phillip Buchannon is his cousin.

The Panthers love to win with mismatches -  KB & Funchess at WR. Shaq in certain packages. Cam in the open field. I just feel like if Carolina can snag a Kam Chancellor type of SS, it would go a long way to a phenomenal defense. I was a fan of Eskridge last year, and that didn't turn into too much, but I do believe Kearse is a better all around talent than Eskridge. 

 

[ctrcat]

Want

[stirs]

I think we are going to always have a veteran back there because of the defensive schemes we run.

Instinct and smarts are gonna trump a lot of other attributes.  JMO

[TylerVagyler]

I think the emergence of Tre Boston has me feeling better about the safety position. I think him and Coleman have some chemistry.

DE and CB are more immediate needs right now.