Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Derek Ross (Ohio St.) - 2002 NFL Draft Pick #75 by DAL

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Pre-Draft Analysis for Derek Ross - 2002 NFL Draft

Player Profile:

• Name: Derek Ross
• College: Ohio State University
• Position: Cornerback
• Height: 6'0"
• Weight: 195 lbs

Strengths:

• Physical Attributes: Ross possesses good size and length, which are essential for a cornerback. His height allows him to contest passes effectively against taller receivers.
• Speed: He has impressive speed, which contributes to his ability to keep up with fast wide receivers.
• Ball Skills: Ross demonstrates solid ball skills, showcasing the ability to make plays on the ball and create turnovers.
• Press Coverage: He excels in press coverage, using his size and strength to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage.

Weaknesses:

• Consistency: At times, Ross has shown inconsistency in his technique and coverage assignments, leading to occasional blown coverages.
• Tackling: His tackling technique can be improved, as he sometimes struggles to bring down bigger receivers or runners in the open field.
• Experience: While he had a solid college career, there were questions about whether he faced enough top-tier competition in college to fully gauge his abilities.

Overall Assessment:

Derek Ross is viewed as a talented cornerback with the physical tools necessary to succeed at the NFL level. His combination of size, speed, and ball skills makes him an intriguing prospect. However, teams will need to consider his consistency and tackling ability as areas for improvement. If he can refine his technique and adapt to the pro game, Ross has the potential to become a reliable starter in the league.

Projected Draft Round:

Many analysts projected Derek Ross as a mid-round pick, likely between the 3rd and 5th rounds of the 2002 NFL Draft, depending on team needs and evaluations during the pre-draft process.