2023 NFL Draft CB1 Eli Ricks According To Former Scout

I love Eli Ricks.

Yes, the LSU to Alabama cornerback (CB) transfer has battled injuries.

However, he excites me on game film more than any other corner I’ve seen as we head toward the 2023 NFL Draft.

Ricks really reminds me of Eagles’ 4x Pro Bowler Darius Slay.

Picture this

Press-man coverage is his game.

Ricks has a strong muscular lean frame with these really long arms.

He also has a real physical and aggressive presence – – which is why he likes to come up on receivers in tight-man press coverage. He has a lurking kind of presence.

He’s got some Raiders’ legend Lester Hayes to him that way too.

Ricks is a smooth long strider who is tough to shake.

He’s like a piranha. That’s my affectionate nickname for him – – The Piranha.

Great feet and hand technique

Time after time I noticed he uses his hands really well to jam and impede receivers off of their releases.

That’s something that really stood out about him.

He also can flip his hips effortlessly, turn and take off.

Ricks footwork is exceptional.

Ricks is really tough on any straight-line routes

Whether intermediate or deep, he is a shut-down corner.

He understands the art of route leverage exceptionally well and he knows how to position his big frame inside to allow for very small throwing windows.

Ricks covers receivers down the sidelines like a blanket.

He’s a force to be reckoned with.

Passes broken up

This is the sure-fire sign of an elite cornerback prospect – – the guys who can consistently make plays on the ball.

They are aggressive and they have the physical attributes to break up passes.

That’s Ricks.

He provides tight coverage most of the time and he gets those big long arms in there to defend.

He’s got great ball instincts too.

Throwing caution to the wind

I’ve seen a lot of corners play in the NFL over 40 years, and my interview at the Jets came down to me looking Bill Belichick in the eyes and convincing him to hire me.

I understand the injury history on Ricks, (shoulder, back and possible concussion) but this past draft we watched the Texans’ take LSU corner Derek Stingley Jr. No. 3 overall in the first round, and Stingley was more banged up in his college career than a 10-car pileup during rush hour.

Stingley and Ricks played together at LSU, and Ricks is by far and away a better-looking prospect on his college game film.

Ricks is a top-10 prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft.

#1 LSU and #7 Alabama Eli Ricks 6-foot-2, 190 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: First-Round – Winter 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 53.9% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of December 1, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 LSU game film reviewed: Auburn and UCLA (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 Alabama game film reviewed: Utah State and Mississippi State

Level of competition: High

2021 LSU stats: 11 tackles (9 solo, 2 assists), 1 pass defended, 1 INT.

2022 Alabama stats: 7 tackles (5 solo, 2 assists), 4 passes defended, 0 INT.

NFL comparable: Darius Slay

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Strong built physical and aggressive lockdown cover corner with long arms and great technique and ball instincts. Excels in press man. Mixes it up and can make it difficult for receivers to release into their routes. Can flip hips turn and run. Has some get-up-and-go. Good straight-line speed. Can feel where the receiver is at. Occasionally allows too much cushion and is left to secure tackle after the catch, but not often. Tends to be right on the receivers especially on slants and intermediate to deep vertical routes. He’s all over receivers most of the time while achieving good route leverage. Almost looks like he is the wide receiver. Good in off-man and zone too. Doesn’t want much to do with the run game. More of a hitter who is willing if he has to. Difference maker who moves the meter.

What to watch for in Alabama’s bowl game

1. He is healthy and starting?
2. Does he allow too much cushion at times on comeback routes?
3. Is he staying in phase with receivers consistently?
4. How does he look at changing direction?

Very few prospects excite me – – Ricks excites me.

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.