Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Gill Byrd (College Stats) - 1983 NFL Draft Pick #22 by SDG

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Pre-Draft Analysis for Gill Byrd - 1983 NFL Draft

Player Overview:

• Name: Gill Byrd
• College: San Diego State University
• Position: Cornerback

College Stats:

• Games Played: 34
• Tackles: 174
• Interceptions: 12
• Pass Deflections: 24

Strengths:

• Coverage Skills: Byrd showcased exceptional man-to-man and zone coverage abilities, demonstrating a keen sense of timing for breaking up passes.
• Ball Skills: His ability to track the ball in the air and secure interceptions made him a playmaker on defense.
• Speed and Agility: Byrd possessed the quickness to keep up with fast receivers, making him a reliable cornerback on deep routes.

Weaknesses:

• Physicality: Some scouts noted that Byrd needed to improve his tackling technique and physicality when defending against the run.
• Size Concerns: At 5'11", there were questions about his ability to match up against taller receivers in the NFL.

Overall Assessment:

Gill Byrd was regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects in the 1983 NFL Draft. His collegiate performance and playmaking ability drew attention from multiple NFL teams. Despite concerns regarding his size and tackling, his coverage skills and instinct for the game made him a coveted player. Analysts expected him to be a valuable addition to any NFL secondary, potentially becoming a starter early in his career.