Detroit Lions Draft 2017: Players Who May Fall to Lions’ Second Round Pick
By Ash Thompson
Cordrea Tankersley: CB, Clemson
Bob Quinn recently said his combine press conference that the team needs to add playmakers to the roster. Clemson’s Cordrea Tankersley is the definition of a playmaker. Across the field from Mackensie Alexander, as Clemson’s second corner in 2015, Tankersley had 19 passes defended and five interceptions. He responds well to being challenged apparently. Tankersley’s biggest question mark coming into the draft process was his long speed, and he ran a 4.40 40 yard dash at the combine. Don’t let his nickname “Tootie” fool you, this is a serious NFL prospect.
Tankersley’s game is not perfect, as he does tend to bite on double moves, and gets a bit grabby when beaten. He is quick to exploit a poor throw and get the ball back in the hands of his offense however. The Lions have severely lacked that trait in their corner back group recently. Just as precise route running gives him issues though, poor route running is something he exploits. These are wonderful downsides for a second round pick.
Tankersley’s greatest gift is getting his hands into the receiver’s catch area without committing pass interference. He is also a fierce tackler. Tankersley does need to work a great deal on disrupting receivers at the line when in press coverage however, preferring to run along with a receiver rather than engaging them, directly. He is very skilled, but allows far to many free releases off the ball. There is still work to be done in Tankersley’s game, but the tools to become a great corner are there.
The Lions added D.J. Hayden to their corner group, but he is better suited to playing inside as the nickle corner than on the outside. He is also only under contract for a single season. In a deep corner class, Tankersley is one of the few corners that the Lions should consider taking early. He pushes the lions depth chart back in to a more advantageous alignment, placing Nevin Lawson in competition for the nickel role with Hayden. Either of those players would be a significant upgrade from Quandre Diggs. Tankersley would be a first round talent in most drafts. The depth at CB could push him to the second round.