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NFL Draft Profile: Marlon Humphrey CB, Alabama

By Chris Schisler

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) reacts in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) reacts in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens need cornerback help and Marlon Humphrey is one sensational football player:

I don’t compare players to Chris McAlister lightly, but that’s who Marlon Humphrey reminds me of. He is a physical and aggressive cornerback who totaled 81 tackles and five interceptions in two seasons with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Humphrey ranks as my number two corner in this entire draft class and he would be a logical pick for the Ravens.

I love physical cornerbacks. For me, this shows a certain mind set. This shows confidence and swagger. The intangibles are off the charts for Humphrey. When you couple this swagger with his high football IQ, it helps keep his aggression productive. The only real knock on Humphrey is that he is over aggressive. He believes what he sees, he flies to the play and sometimes he can get fooled with that.

Humphrey would come in right away and be a starter. It would be the perfect situation. Jimmy Smith, Humphrey and Tavon Young. Humphrey has great instincts, a trait that not enough cornerbacks have. He is good in zone coverage and he reads the quarterback so well that he can jump routes with the best of them. Humphrey is as tough and gritty as it gets in man coverage.

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Strengths:

  • Good in man and zone coverage
  • Specializes in bump and run
  • Best tackling cornerback in this draft class
  • Had 6.5 tackles for a loss, showing his blitzing ability and eagerness to help in run defense
  • Decent size and length
  • Above average recovery speed
  • Tracks the football well

Concerns:

  • Over aggressive
  • Will have to watch the hands down the field, will get called for occasional pass interference
  • Still a bit raw, only two years of game tape on him

Next: Baltimore Ravens: Three Round Mock Draft

Where is his draft stock?

I have Humphrey going anywhere from picks 10-20. He is not an unreasonable get for the Ravens with the 16th pick. Humphrey is my ninth ranked player going into the draft, however my big board is just a preliminary one at this point. Humphrey is a fit for the Ravens. He is not a player I would trade up for, but if he falls to the Ravens it makes plenty of sense. Nobody is going to argue against taking a cornerback in the NFL Draft in Baltimore.

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