Jairus Byrd CB 5'10 207 Oregon Jr.

As soon as Byrd got on to the field, he became a playmaker in the secondary for the Ducks. He led the team in interceptions every year including a freshman season that saw him finish with five picks to go along with 56 tackles on the year. As a sophomore he had 64 tackles, four for loss, and seven interceptions. Byrd saved his best for last, finishing his junior year with 83 tackles and five interceptions before declaring for the draft in January.

Strengths

Byrd is a playmaker, plain and simple. His ball skills are as good as any in this draft. He has the innate ability to find the football and get his hands on it, whether breaking up the pass or making the pick, which he did 17 times in three seasons. Byrd is very aggressive on the field, not just going after the football but also in helping out in run support. He has a solid build and uses his size and toughness to come up and make plays around the line of scrimmage. Byrd possesses the quickness and footwork to stick with receivers throughout the play. He also brings value on special teams, as he has experience returning punts. He returned one for a touchdown in 2008, while average over 12 yards per return. Not to be completely ignored, he has the bloodlines as his father was a pro bowl corner in the NFL.

Weaknesses

Long range speed may be the only true question mark in Byrd’s game. He has only average straight line speed, which may hinder him when covering down the field vertically. It also will give him problems when he makes a mistake, because he will not be able to close the ground on the receiver.

Future

Byrd is a natural at corner and has a bright NFL future ahead of him. He may not be a burner, but he has everything else to be a standout in the NFL and he should hear his name called on the first day of the draft in April.