Player: Eli Ricks
School: Alabama
Measurables:
- Height: 6’2” (NFL Combine)
- Weight: 188 (NFL Combine)
- 40: 4.6 (Pro Day)
- 10 Yard Split: ?
- Bench: DNP
- Vertical Jump: 35” (Pro Day)
- Broad Jump: 10’7” (Pro Day)
- 3 Cone: 7.44 (Pro Day)
- 20 Yard Shuttle: DNP
- Other Notes: Ricks did not compete at the combine due to a Grade 2 Hamstring Strain.
Graded Position Specific Traits:
- Man Coverage: 7.75/10
- Zone Coverage: 5.25/10
- Field Vision: 5.25/10
- Tackling: 6/10
- Run Support: 4/10
- Range: 5.25/10
Prospect Grade: 33.5/60; 55.8%- Great backup who flashes starter potential in a year or two
Projected Draft Day: Round 3- Early Round 4
Player Comparison: Carlton Davis
Player Summary:
After transferring from LSU there was a lot of hype around Ricks that he could be the next great Alabama CB. However, Ricks couldn’t even win a starting spot in spring or summer ball. Ricks missed some time this year with injuries, but when he was healthy Ricks was a special teamer and rotational piece at CB through Week 7. His first start came in Week 8 against Mississippi State. Once thought of as a top draft prospect, Ricks is now a mid-round pick in our eyes.
Ricks is definitely better in man coverage than in zone. Some of his zone tape looks okay, but other parts not so much. In press alignment, Ricks has a tendency to open his hips too early. He needs to be a little bit more patient as he can get beat by release fakes. Ricks lacks speed and it shows on tape. When he falls behind he can get a bit handsy. He can get too physical/handsy at the top of routes/breaks. Ricks is pretty reliant on getting hands on or the WR is going to get separation, especially receivers with speed. Elite/dynamic route runners could also give him problems at the next level.
Ricks is pretty obviously a coverage corner first and foremost, as his run support was nearly non-existent at certain points. He can get run off pretty easily by WRs, which I’d argue is the root of the problem.
Overall, I like Ricks as a gem in the mid-rounds. I have him projected going in Round 3 or Early in the 4th. I think he needs a year or two to sit and develop under veterans and NFL coaching. In the meantime he’s a strong backup. With his size and length, I think Ricks has CB1 potential, but you need to clean up some of his game first.