IOWA CITY, IA - NOVEMBER 11: Rutgers cornerback Max Melton (16) celebrates after intercepting a pass on the 8-yard line late in the first half during a college football game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 11, 2023, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, IA. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Max Melton Moves The Meter

April 10, 2024 | Daniel Kelly | Articles

Reading Time: 4 minutes

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 1: Max Melton #DB26 of Rutgers runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 1, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Rutgers cornerback Max Melton has what it takes to be a playmaker in the National Football League.

SPEED

INSTINCTS

WANT

Not only was he consistent week in and week out in coverage, but he also added consistent value on special teams.

That’s where the want really showed up.

Melton played on the punt team as a gunner and he was continuously the first person downfield in the punt returner’s face. He also blocked four punts at Rutgers.

Melton is all over the place making plays, and he’s a dependable tackler to boot.

On defense in 2023:

ONE SACK

THREE INTERCEPTIONS

SIX PASSES DEFENDED

ONE FORCED FUMBLE

ONE FUMBLE RECOVERY

Matched up against Marvin Harrison Jr.

I went back and studied the past two seasons when Melton and Harrison (first-round grade) matched up and there was no backdown in Melton.

He didn’t look intimidated ⎯not one bit. He challenged Harrison. Melton got in Harrison’s face in bump-and-run coverage. Melton did get tagged for a couple of penalties in the 2022 matchup, but overall this Rutgers corner was impressive.

This was a good matchup and some good battles to watch.

Complete corner

ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Max Melton (16) lines up on defense during a college football game against the Michigan Wolverines on September, 23, 2023 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Melton excelled in:

Press man coverage (right up on the receiver pre-snap)
Off-man coverage (lined up a few yards off the receiver pre-snap)
Zone coverage (assigned specific areas on the field to cover)

Melton showed off his 4.39 (NFL Scouting Combine recorded 40-yard-dash-time) when matched up in long-range vertical routes and demonstrated the ability to keep up. He also showed the ability to close quickly back downhill to secure tackles in off-man and zone coverage.

This will give an NFL defensive coordinator a lot of game-plan scheme flexibility with Melton.

Never gives up

Despite Rutgers finishing the season at 3-6, there was no backdown and no quit in Melton⎯ever. I love that about him. When he’s beaten on a route, he shows he can and wants to recover.

Melton fights through it.

This is a sign of true professionalism, and it demonstrates football is important to Melton.

Check out this play.

Down 21-16, Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson is in the clear ⎯ heading toward the end zone ….but then Melton catches him from behind. Henderson is said to have 4.39 (40-yard-dash-time).

The play that sold me on Rutgers cornerback #16 Max Melton (vs. Ohio State 2023) pic.twitter.com/P7M7d6QMTB
— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) April 8, 2024

Any negatives?

What are the two biggest negatives on Melton?

Slight hip tightness
Matching up against more physical players

The slight hip tightness shows up when receivers make unpredictable changes of direction at route breakpoints and it causes him to momentarily lose route leverage. This is when he is most vulnerable and opens throwing windows. However, if quarterbacks don’t strike at this point, Melton proves he has great short-area acceleration to recover when routes flatten out and he takes great angles to the ball.

Melton also matches up poorly against larger tight-ends who can outmuscle him to create separation.

Outside of those two things, even when Melton gets beat, I won’t want to live on the difference.

#16 Max Melton 6-foot-0, 190 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 5.3% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of April 10, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Nebraska, Ohio State, and Penn State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2023 game film reviewed: Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa and Penn State

2023 tackling stats: 32 tackles, 21 solo and 11 assists

Pro Football Focus College Profile

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Twitchy physical and strong corner with long muscular arms and good technique. Aggressive nature. Visibly communicative pre-snap. Plays with good leverage, positioning, awareness, and understanding. Springs around. Quick peddle. Agile. Mirrors. Intense focus. He uses his hands well. Jams. Keeps an eye on the quarterback and has great ball skills. Interception minded. Active in pass and run support. Plays the run like it’s important to him. Willing to take on running backs low. Prides himself on being in position if needed. Heavily graded versus top-25 teams level of competition.

Final words

Melton is the real deal.

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 is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.