Morris Claiborne as a Prospect

[MaddHatter]

I didn't really do much looking pre-draft on him since I assumed we had no shot, so I apolgoize ahead of time if this comes off as a homer thread, but I'm really curious where you guys see him as a prospect compared to recent and past CB prospects.

How would you rate him in physical abilities?
How would you rate him in technique?
How would you rate him as an overall cornerback?
How would you rate him as an overall player?

As for the above poll, Stephen Jones said that the Cowboys' scouting department had him rated as the highest CB (purely corner) in the last 4-6 years. Jerry Jones later said they had him rated as the highest corner since Deion Sanders. Where do you guys think he rates?
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[CWood21]

He's clearly behind both Joe Haden and Patrick Peterson as far as prospects go. He's better than Amukamara though.

[MaddHatter]

[Oregon Ducks]

[Frank Costello]

He's barely and I mean barely under Haden. In terms of measurables, he's ahead of Haden. I would put PP above them both just do to his all around athletic ability.
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[ttitansfan4life]

I'd take Peterson and Haden over Claiborne. Claiborne would be 3rd on that list.
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Props to "Joe is the Best"

[J-ALL-DAY]

As far as coverage skills, I rank him higher than Peterson. This guy can play any style and will be the next shutdown CB in the league. You guys got yourself a GREAT one. Peterson with the ball in his hands is obviously special, but Claiborne is very good as well.
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[bucsfan333]

I wanted him more than anyone! Dude can play!

His phone call from Dallas really tugs at the heart, considering his potential and how much I wanted him and his learning disability. I wish him nothing but luck. I hope he's a Pro Bowler.
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[JammerHammer21]

As pure corner, he's above Haden and PP. But overall, below PP.

[EnglishLion20]

[CWood21]

[DrawABlank]

Patrick Peterson was a better athlete and a better all-around defensive back prospect. However, I would say Claiborne was a superior corner prospect due to his very advanced technique.

As a top 10 corner, I would actually say his physical ability is quite average. 4.50/4.44 at 188lbs with a 35" vert and 7.01 3 cone is far from exceptional in the top ten, in fact probably below average. However, his ridiculously long arms do show one outstanding trait.

I don't know as much about CB technique as the professionals, but almost everyone agrees he is very special in terms of footwork, backpedal and hand-eye co-ordination, and this somewhat offsets his physical "limitations".

I loved Haden and Revis, but other than that I can't think of anyone I would think of as better as a day 1 starter (since 2005 following the draft closely). I imagine Newman and Jammer would have been pretty high also.

I don't think he's a special enough athlete to ever have an island named after him (speedy tall physical receivers like the Johnsons will give him problems) but he's certainly capable of reaching the top of the next tier of corners. And given his high floor, that's pretty decent.

[JaguarCrazy2832]

Haden is my #1, then PP then Claiborne
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[PowerElite]

1.He's weak against the run
2.He only runs a 4.5
3.He weighs 188lbs
4.He is an outside only defender and can't shut down the "slot"


He's possibly the most overrated cornerback in history. People will lie and say that he's a better cornerback prospect than Quentin Jammer, and that's just not true.

[kenney]

Based on what I remember of them coming out, I'd rank them this way:

Joe Haden
Darrelle Revis
Morris Claiborne
Patrick Peterson
Leodis McKelvin
Malcolm Jenkins

If I'm being totally honest, I have zero recollection Sanders coming out. I was a few months old.
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