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2015 NFL Draft Profile: Michigan State CB Trae Waynes is a viable option with the 10th pick

The St. Louis Rams have several needs entering the 2015 NFL Draft, and one position that isn’t considered much is cornerback. We often hear about receiving prospects and offensive linemen, but seldom are prospects in the secondary are considered, which could be a mistake. The critical question is which cornerback prospect is worthy of the 10th overall pick? How about Michigan State’s Trae Waynes?

It sounds a bit far-fetched to even think about drafting a cornerback in the first round, but the Rams did struggle in the secondary at times last season. Injuries were partially responsible, but in a league that loves to pass the football, it’s not such a bad idea to add quality corners. The question is whether or not Waynes would make a difference.

Here’s what we know:

Pros: There are plenty of positives to say about Waynes, and it’s safe to say that he’s the best cornerback prospect in the draft. One of the best attributes about Waynes is his speed. Not only was he the fastest cornerback in the NFL Combine (running the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds), but he was the second fastest player overall. That speed allows him to become that nagging cornerback that receivers can’t seem to shake. It’s extremely difficult to create separation from Waynes, and his size doesn’t make it any easier since he stands a little over six feet.

Waynes is extremely aggressive and tends to intimidate receivers. His covering skills are elite in the deep ball range. He uses his body frame to his advantage to isolate receivers towards the sidelines. A great example of his coverage skills is when he helped almost upset the Oregon Ducks last season. Marcus Mariota did challenge him several times, but Waynes shutdown his area of the football field and forced Mariota to look elsewhere.

What makes Waynes a complete cornerback is his ability to tackle. Yes, he can hit hard, and that’s great especially since he can knock the ball loose from receivers, but his tackling skills are top-notch. He’s a smart tackler and knows when he can get away with launching himself towards the opposition. Waynes can also identify when it’s best to wrap-up. That’s extremely rare for a cornerback, which is why his stats in tackling are as impressive his stats in coverage. In three seasons with the Spartans, Waynes compiled 101 tackles, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions and 13 pass deflections.

Cons: While being aggressive provides certain advantages, it can also come at a price. Waynes will grab a hold of receivers at times and has been penalized for it. Penalties can be hazardous in the NFL and this will be something he needs to adjust to. Transitioning from full-speed to complete stops can cause him to lose his footing. Balance is something he needs to really work on, so he doesn’t slip especially running on different terrains. He will also need to anticipate routes a little more quickly especially with the quicker receivers.

Bottom line: The Rams have plenty options at pick No. 10, and Waynes could be another option. His stock has risen since the Combine and some experts are even speculating if he will even be there when the Rams are on the clock. The cornerback draft class isn’t that great, so expect teams to try and trade up to get him.

If the targeted receivers or offensive linemen aren’t on the board, I would be fine with selecting Waynes. Do they need to address the offensive line at some point? Absolutely, but it is better to get a top prospect than reach and hope for the best. As mentioned earlier, cornerback is a need as well.

Source: ESPN.com, Sport-reference.com

You can follow Johnny Gomez on Twitter @Johnny5not6. Be sure to follow Rams Talk on Twitter @TalkRams.

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