Weaknesses:
Summary: There were games over the past few years where Poyer came up huge for Oregon State. To start off his senior year, Poyer was all over the field against Wisconsin. He had three tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a pass broken up to help the Beavers upset the Badgers. A few weeks later, he recorded three interceptions against Washington State. He then secured an interception returned 49 yards for a touchdown the following week against BYU.
Poyer missed the game versus Arizona State with a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The senior came back to play against Stanford, but had a mixed outing. That was the case for him against Texas as well. Poyer totaled 51 tackles, seven interceptions, five tackles for a loss, one forced fumble, one sack and seven passes broken up in 2012. He finished tied for second in the nation with seven interceptions.
Poyer collected 57 tackles, four interceptions and 12 passes broken up in 2011 as a junior. He also averaged 22.7 yards per kick return and 14.1 yards per punt return. As a sophomore, he recorded 34 tackles, two interceptions and four passes broken up. He averaged 27 yards per kick return and 9.5 yards per punt return.
Overall, Poyer is not consistent in man coverage. He sometimes does a good job in blanketing receivers, but he occasionally doesn’t turn and run quickly enough or takes false steps. That allows receivers to get separation. Poyer looks like he would be best in a system that is mainly a zone coverage scheme with some man mixed in. Poyer has good instincts to break on the ball and take it away from the offense. He has good hands, and his ball skills are superb.
Poyer needs to improve his run defense and his physicality with receivers for the NFL. He could be hesitant in those aspects because he lacks strength. He is a little under weight and should add 10-20 pounds in a strength and conditioning program. He should be a good special-teams player as he develops into a possible starter.
Poyer is a good athlete who also has played baseball for Oregon State. He was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 42nd round out of high school.
Poyer’s draft stock seems to be very fluid. Some believe he could go in the second round, while others believe that Poyer could go in the mid-rounds.
Player Comparison: Dre’ Bly. Because of the ball skills, Poyer’s game is similar to Bly’s. The veteran of the Rams and Lions consistently produced quality interception totals throughout his 12-year career. Poyer doesn’t have Bly’s speed and athleticism, but they both are ballhawks who use instincts to cause turnovers. Bly played better in zone, and that could be the case with Poyer.
NFL Matches: Tampa Bay, Washington, Philadelphia, Detroit, Jacksonville
There are a lot of teams that could consider Poyer on the second day or in the mid-rounds. The Bucs had one of the worst pass defenses in NFL history and will be in the market for multiple corners this offseason.
Philadelphia will also be making some moves at corner this offseason. Poyer could interest them. The Redskins need to find some young cornerbacks and Poyer could fit their scheme pretty well.
The Lions need cornerback help, as they’ve had a weak secondary the past few seasons. Detroit could target a corner early or in the mid-rounds.
The Jaguars have a lot of their corners entering free agency and the new regime will probably want to bring in their own guys. Jacksonville could look to add a corner like Poyer in the third or fourth round.
RELATED LINKS:
2013 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2013 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2013 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
NFL Picks - Nov. 20
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
