Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Will Peterson (Western Illinois) - 2001 NFL Draft Pick #78 by NYG

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Pre-Draft Analysis for Will Peterson (2001 NFL Draft)

Player Profile:

• Name: Will Peterson
• College: Western Illinois
• Position: Cornerback

Scouting Report:

• Size and Athleticism: Peterson possesses an impressive combination of size and speed for a cornerback. Standing at approximately 6'1" and weighing around 200 pounds, he has the ideal physical attributes to match up against bigger wide receivers in the NFL.
• Coverage Skills: He demonstrated solid man-to-man coverage abilities during his college career. Peterson is known for his quick footwork and agility, allowing him to stay with receivers and disrupt passing routes effectively.
• Ball Skills: One of his standout traits is his ability to locate the ball in the air. Peterson has good hands and can make plays on the ball, contributing to his interception total in college.
• Tackling: Peterson is a physical cornerback who is not afraid to come up and make tackles. His tackling technique is sound, which is essential for a cornerback who will often need to support the run defense.
• Experience: Playing at Western Illinois, Peterson faced a mix of competition levels in college. While he had standout performances, scouts were curious to see how he would transition to the NFL against elite wide receivers.

Concerns:

• Level of Competition: Some scouts expressed concerns about the level of competition he faced in college, which may not have adequately prepared him for the rigors of the NFL.
• Consistency: While Peterson showed flashes of brilliance, there were games where he was less effective. Teams wanted to see more consistent performance throughout his college career.

Projected Draft Position:

• Will Peterson was projected to be selected in the mid to late rounds of the 2001 NFL Draft, with potential to be a valuable depth player and special teams contributor early in his career.