2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Quincy Wilson





  • Quincy Wilson, 6-1/211

  • Cornerback

  • Florida


  • Quincy Wilson Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Ideal size/speed combination
  • Great length, height
  • Has enough height to defend big receivers, tight ends
  • Weapon to cover pass-receiving tight ends
  • Long, press-man corner
  • Above-average speed
  • Athletic
  • Quick feet
  • Not tight; loose hips to turn and run
  • Has ball skills
  • Not a gambler
  • Can play off-man coverage
  • Can play zone coverage




  • Weaknesses:
  • Not instinctive
  • Gets antsy when ball comes his direction
  • Grabs receivers a lot
  • Could get a lot of pass-interference penalties in the NFL


  • Summary: Florida is known as “DB U” because the program produces so many good defensive backs for the NFL. That has definitely been the case in recent years as cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III and safety Keanu Neal were first-round picks last year. Cornerback Brian Poole was an undrafted steal last year as well. This year, Wilson, cornerback Jalen Tabor and safety Marcus Maye all figure to get selected in the first three rounds of the draft. Of that trio, Wilson could be the most gifted athletically, as he has ideal size for a NFL cornerback to go along with above-average speed. Quickly in his NFL career, Wilson could be starting.

    Even with a lot of veteran and more experienced cornerbacks, Wilson earned playing time as a freshman, making 22 tackles, three passes broken up, and an interception – off Jameis Winston in one of Winston’s final games at Florida State. As a sophomore, Wilson was the third cornerback with Hargreaves and Tabor. He recorded five breakups with two interceptions and 29 tackles in 2015. As a junior, Wilson replaced Hargreaves as an every-down player and was very impressive with 33 tackles, six passes broken up and three interceptions.

    In pass coverage, Wilson is an excellent bump-and-run cornerback. He is big enough to be a press-man corner who manipulates the route that receivers can run after his jam. Wilson has good height and length to handle big receivers. He possesses above-average athletic ability and speed to run with receivers downfield. He isn’t as natural in off man or zone, but he could play those techniques.

    Many big cornerbacks don’t usually have impressive ball skills, but that is not the case with Wilson as he does a good job of playing the ball. He can make some phenomenal interceptions and also does a nice job of smacking passes away.

    There are some things that Wilson needs to work on. He isn’t very instinctive, so studying up on opponents would be wise. He also grabs too much on receivers, and that could result in him getting called for pass interference penalties in the NFL. While Wilson isn’t slow, he could struggle with some deep speed in the NFL, and his recoverability isn’t consistent. Against top receivers and quarterbacks, it could get exposed. His run defense and tackling also have room for improvement.

    For the NFL, Wilson would be best in a system that primarily uses him as a press-man corner. He could play off man and zone, but press man would be the best fit for him. Wilson is likely to be a second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and that is where many teams graded him.



    Player Comparison: David Amerson. Amerson (6-1, 205) was a second-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, and Wilson could go in the same range. They are almost identical in size as big corners who can match up against large receivers. Amerson had better ball skills entering the NFL, but Wilson is faster and probably more athletic. In the NFL, I could see Wilson being similar, but better than Amerson.

    NFL Matches: Cleveland, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Washington, Detroit, Miami, Oakland, Houston, Dallas and Green Bay

    There are a lot of potential fits for Wilson in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. At the top of the second round, the Browns need a third cornerback, and they’ve shown interest in Wilson. He would give them an outside corner and let them move Joe Haden into the slot in the nickel. San Francisco and Chicago both need cornerback upgrades. Cleveland, San Francisco and Chicago probably won’t draft a corner in the first three picks, thus Wilson could easily go high in the second round.

    The Chargers could use a third cornerback to go with Jason Verrett and Casey Hayward. Buffalo needs a corner to replace Stephon Gilmore. The Saints could use more cornerback help for their defense, so they could consider taking Wilson in Round 2.

    In the middle of the second round, Wilson has a number of potential landing spots. Philadelphia needs multiple cornerback upgrades and a No. 1 corner. The Colts need another corner to pair with Vontae Davis, and Wilson could be a fit for them. The Ravens could use a corner upgrade to go with Jimmy Smith. Washington needs a corner upgrade across from Josh Norman.

    If Wilson slips to the back half of the second round, there are a lot of cornerback-needy teams. The Lions need a corner upgrade across from Darius Slay. The Dolphins and Raiders need to improve their cornerbacks. The Texans need cornerback help after losing A.J. Bouye. Dallas badly needs cornerback help after losing Morris Claiborne. The Packers also could use more talent at corner.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2017 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2017 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2017 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








    2024 NFL Mock Draft - March 26


    NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22


    Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19


    NFL Picks - Feb. 12