Draft Profile Series: Phillip Gaines
- Updated: April 29, 2014
As we approach the deepest NFL Draft in recent memory, I’ll give my breakdown and analysis of 75 top prospects in this year’s class. At the conclusion of this series, I will include my final overall and positional rankings, as well as a mock draft.
Phillip Gaines, CB, 6-0½, 193, Rice
Key stats: Set school record with 38 passes defensed in career.
Strengths: Started 45 games over his career. … Has good size and length for the position. … Displays very good ball skills. … Has good timing in breaking up passes, and fights the entire way through the catch process to dislodge the ball from the receiver. … Tracks the ball and adjusts very well. … Has very good straight-line speed and quickness. … Has potential and should continue to improve.
Weaknesses: Has average hands. … Although he tracks the ball well and gets in position to make plays, Gaines needs to come down with more 50-50 balls. … Has a slight build and needs to put on muscle and increase his overall strength. … His technique is average as receivers are able to create separation on a consistent basis. … Many of his pass breakups were due to floating passes in which he was initially beaten. … Not a strong or technically-sound tackler.
Conclusion: Gaines has plenty of experience, but is a developmental prospect with a high upside. … He has the skills to be a good corner in the NFL, but is raw and will need time to get stronger and work on his overall coverage skills. Right now is better suited in zone coverage, but has the ability to improve as a man-to-man cover corner.
NFL comparison: Sam Shields.
Draft projection: Third to fifth round.
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