Hurricanes’ Corner Tyrique Stevenson Projects To NFL Nickel

Miami’s Tyrique Stevenson looks the part, but he struggles playing it.

At first glance he lined up in press man coverage, and he looks like everything an NFL team would want.

He’s got that lean lengthy looking frame, those long arms, and he’s got a real physical presence to him.

Stevenson is very good at using his hands to impede receivers who are trying to release into their routes.

It’s the other stuff that’s a problem.

It’s just really tough to make it at cornerback (CB) in the NFL without the ability to change direction quickly, without that coveted burst it takes to make a play on the ball and without top shelf straight-line speed.

Those are the things Stevenson is missing.

Stevenson’s technique

The only way to close that gap while lacking these extremely important physical attributes is to play with excellent technique.

This is how Detroit CB Amani Oruwariye was able to dramatically show improvement as a fifth-round pick out of Penn State.

Lions’ Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn, a former All-Pro CB himself, was able to teach Oruwariye how to keep the game in front of him in 2021.

Stevenson is keeping the game too much in front of himself by allowing too much cushion and receptions.

He is not showing the kind of technique that’s required to compensate for his limitations.

First-round pick?

Pro Football Focus mocked Stevenson into the first-round on Oct. 4.

Respectfully, there is no way he should be that high on anyone’s board.

He allowed 25 catches on 49 targets in 2021 (stateoftheu.com).

I’m not a math whiz by any stretch of the imagination, but that means his targets are catching about half of what is thrown in his direction.

That’s not too good – – and it’s only going to get harder going up against NFL receivers.

It also confirms his aforementioned physical limitations.

Nickelback

This is Stevenson’s ceiling in the NFL.

He is best covering the short route level, and he is just way too raw trying to cover intermediate and deep.

He gave up two-three steps on deep balls consistently, and was lucky they were overthrown.

Sometimes he misses open field tackles because he can’t make quick enough adjustments, but nickel is his best chance in the NFL.

#2 Tyrique Stevenson 6-foot-0, 214 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: Fifth-Round – Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 2.6% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 27, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: N.C. State, Texas A&M and Alabama (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Level of competition: High

2021 stats: 43 tackles (29 solo, 14 assists), 4 passes defended, 1 INT., 0.5 sack

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Tough and physical corner who uses his hands very well to impede routes, but struggles against outside receivers in man coverage and has one-gear speed. Alert looking lined up in press and off-man. Best covering more straight-line routes, but had trouble gathering himself in time against intermediate comebacks. After-the-fact defender who can usually make the stop after the damage has been done in the short to intermediate range. Broke up one pass in three games on a number of targets. Lacked deep speed to stay in phase. Provides good support in pass coverage. Below average blitz ability. Can come in and provide run support. More of a hitter than a solid wrapping tackler. Tends to end up in position near the pile. Gives it everything he has to give, but it’s just not enough.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. Does he show ability to match receivers when they make quick changes of direction?
2. Does he give up big cushions?
3. Is he able to stay in phase deep?
4. What are his final passes defended/interception numbers this season?

There is no way I can see Stevenson having success as a starting corner in the NFL.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.