Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Deane Leonard (Mississippi) - 2022 NFL Draft Pick #236 by LAC

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Pre-Draft Analysis for Deane Leonard - 2022 NFL Draft

Player Overview:

Deane Leonard, a cornerback from the University of Mississippi, garnered attention leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft due to his impressive performances during his college career. Known for his athleticism and coverage skills, Leonard was viewed as a potential mid-round selection.

Strengths:

• Physical Tools: Leonard possesses good height and length, making him a challenging matchup for receivers.
• Coverage Skills: Showcases solid man-to-man coverage abilities, displaying quick footwork and the ability to mirror receivers.
• Ball Skills: Demonstrated the ability to make plays on the ball, resulting in several pass breakups and interceptions during his college career.
• Versatility: Capable of playing both outside corner and in the slot, providing valuable flexibility to defensive schemes.

Areas for Improvement:

• Consistency: At times, Leonard struggled with maintaining consistency in both his technique and performance.
• Physicality: Needs to improve his physical play, especially in run support and press coverage situations.
• Experience: Limited experience against top-tier competition, which raises questions about his readiness to compete at the NFL level.

Draft Projection:

Leonard was projected to be selected in the 4th to 6th round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Teams seeking a cornerback with upside and the ability to develop into a reliable starter were particularly interested in his skill set.

Conclusion:

Deane Leonard's combination of size, athleticism, and coverage ability made him an intriguing prospect heading into the draft. While he had areas to improve upon, his potential made him a valuable addition for teams looking to bolster their secondary.