Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Earl Bryant () - 1978 NFL Draft Pick #251 by KC

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Pre-Draft Analysis for Earl Bryant (1978 NFL Draft)

College: University of Nebraska

Position: Defensive Back

Strengths:

• Versatile Athlete: Earl Bryant showcased exceptional versatility in college, demonstrating the ability to play multiple positions in the defensive backfield.
• Speed and Agility: Known for his impressive speed, Bryant was able to cover a lot of ground quickly, making him a threat in both coverage and run support.
• Ball Skills: He had a knack for making plays on the ball, evidenced by his interceptions and pass breakups during his college career.
• Football IQ: Bryant displayed a high level of understanding of the game, allowing him to read quarterbacks and anticipate plays effectively.

Weaknesses:

• Size Concerns: At 5'10", some scouts worried about his size, particularly in matchups against larger receivers in the NFL.
• Inconsistent Tackling: While he had the speed to close gaps, there were instances where his tackling technique could have been improved, leading to missed tackles.

Overall Assessment:

Earl Bryant was considered a solid prospect heading into the 1978 NFL Draft. His combination of speed, agility, and football intelligence made him an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their secondary. While size concerns were noted, many evaluators believed that his skills could translate well to the professional level.

Teams were particularly interested in his potential impact as a nickelback or special teams contributor, with the possibility of developing into a starting cornerback in the right system.