Game IQ / Play Recognition
Pros:
•Can recognize a QB’s first read early and crash down to the route
•Reads QB’s eyes well
•Gets eyes in the backfield early
•Fills gaps well
•Disguises his coverage well
•Willing to block for teammates who made picks or fumble recoveries
•The ability to read and react is impressive
•Always understands his contain responsibility no matter where he is on the field, whether that be inside to out or outside to in
•3 full season of starting experience
•Overall he is a very smart player
•Flows to the ball well
Cons:
•Can be fooled by a good play fake
•Eyes are in the backfield too much sometimes
Coverage Ability
Pros:
•Doesn’t just guard grass he guards guys
•Shown good flashes of coverage in man coverage
•Best in cover one as the robber
•Great recovery speed in coverage
•Gets hands on the receiver in coverage
•Completely takes away routes and throwing angles
•Very good in zone coverage
Cons:
•Can overcommit to and get thrown behind
•Seems to get lost in coverage at times and end up covering no one
•Can get a little too handsy at times
•Will give up too much space and get caught looking in the backfield in man which leads to open receivers
•Feet can get stagnant when in coverage results in getting beat deep
•Not as great in man coverage compared to zone
Range
Pros:
•Good range on run plays hasn’t displayed his coverage range as much since he mainly played in the box
Cons:
•His true speed would limit his single high range
Tackling / Physicality
Pros:
•Physical at the point of attack
•Gets consistent wraps below the knees
•Good hitting and tackling below the knees
•Gets off blocks well when it is receivers or smaller tight ends
•Solid open field tackler
•Good breakdown and shuffle to line up the tackle and not get juked
•Finishes gang tackles well
•Violent arms that shoot out on his hits
•Overall hit strength is pretty solid
•Consistently hits with the correct shoulder
•Very solid pad level
•Can meet RBs in the hole well
•His block shedding and physicality seemed to get a lot better as the season went on and in the playoffs
•Does a good job getting his shoulder/hat on the ball to knock it free
Cons:
•Isn’t the greatest block shedder of o-linemen, and tight ends and his blitzes aren’t very effective
•Would like to see a little less ankle biting because I don’t think it’ll be as effective at the next level
•Doesn’t actively try to get hands off of him
•If he doesn’t take the right angle his tackling mechanics can get a little shaky
•Ducks his head down before contact occasionally which results in missed tackles
•Doesn't always drive his feet through contact well
Angles / Pursuit
Pros:
•Good overall pursuit and angles
•Cuts off inside and outside angles depending on what position he is at
•If he does mess up an angle he has the speed to make up for that mistake and make the correct angle
•Does a good accelerating through the gap to get an arm or hands on the ball carrier and catch the blocker off guard
Cons:
•Would like to see him hustle more
Athleticism / Frame
Pros:
•Explodes out of his back pedal
•1-2 step and he is out of there
•Above average line speed and acceleration
•Strong frame
•Above average recovery speed and pursuit speed
•Above average side to side speed
Cons:
•He is above average in every physical trait but nothing really stands out with him
Ball Skills
Pros:
•None
Cons:
•Overall ball skills are pretty underwhelming
•Doesn’t get knock outs or finish off plays that jar the ball free
Versatility
Pros:
•Can play in the box, 2 high, or single high
•Fits more as a box safety most likely at the next level
Cons:
•None
Games Watched:
•Week 1 vs TEX, Week 6 vs ILL, Week 7 vs WIS, BIG 10 Champ. vs IU, CFP QF vs MIA
Ideal Situation
•Downs would probably fit best with the Bengals, Chiefs, or Commanders as a box safety who can play single high every now and then. His speed will limit him from being a true one high safety at the next level. His size and coverage skills will also limit him to being left alone on an island against a slot receiver or tight end. I do think he will need to bulk up a little bit. Downs would be a great addition to any team because he is a safe pick and he will be almost a guarantee to be an above average safety with the potential to be an All Pro player if all goes right. I like Downs a lot I just wish he jumped out at me more.
Ratings
•Game IQ / Play Recognition – 9.2/10
•Coverage Ability – 7.5/10
•Range – 7.7/10
•Tackling / Physicality – 8.8/10
•Angles / Pursuit – 8.3/10
•Athleticism / Frame – 7.3/10
•Ball Skills – 6.0/10
•Versatility – 7.7/10
Total = 81.3/100 (B-) Mid 2nd Rounder
DraftedR1 • P11Dallas Cowboys