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Troy Pride Jr. (Notre Dame) - 2020 NFL Draft Pick #113 by CAR

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Pre-Draft Analysis for Troy Pride Jr. - 2020 NFL Draft

Position: Cornerback
College: Notre Dame

Overview:

Troy Pride Jr. was regarded as one of the more athletic cornerbacks in the 2020 NFL Draft. Coming from a strong program at Notre Dame, he showcased a combination of speed, agility, and coverage skills that made him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams looking to bolster their secondary.

Strengths:

• Speed and Athleticism: Pride was known for his impressive straight-line speed, having run a sub-4.4 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, which positioned him as one of the fastest cornerbacks in the draft.
• Fluidity: His ability to change direction and stay with receivers in man coverage was a notable strength. He demonstrated good footwork and balance, allowing him to mirror routes effectively.
• Experience: With multiple years of starting experience at Notre Dame, he faced a variety of receiving talents, which helped him develop his skills against top competition.
• Work Ethic: Coaches praised his dedication to improving his game, showcasing a strong work ethic both on and off the field.

Weaknesses:

• Physicality: Pride sometimes struggled with more physical receivers and could be overmatched in press coverage situations, which raised concerns about his ability to handle bigger, stronger NFL receivers.
• Ball Skills: While he had decent coverage skills, his ability to make plays on the ball and create turnovers was limited, leading to questions about his production in critical moments.
• Consistency: There were games where he displayed elite potential, but others where he struggled to maintain high levels of performance, leading to concerns about his long-term reliability.

Overall Assessment:

Troy Pride Jr. was viewed as a developmental cornerback with the potential to become a starter in the NFL. His elite speed and athletic profile made him a desirable option for teams looking to improve their secondary. While he had areas to improve, particularly in physicality and ball skills, his upside and work ethic made him an intriguing pick in the mid to late rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.