Weaknesses:
Summary: Since 2011, Diggs was one of the best defensive backs in the Big XII. He was the Big XII Freshman of the Year in 2011 and was named a Freshman All-American by many media outlets. He started 11 games that year and led the Longhorns with four interceptions. Diggs also had 51 tackles, 15 passes broken up and two forced fumbles.
Texas’ defense was a big disappointment in 2012, but Diggs played well for the Longhorns. He had a great start to 2012 with three interceptions over three games. The sophomore finished the year with four picks, 52 tackles, seven passes broken up and three tackles for a loss.
Diggs had a solid junior year as well. He struggled with Kansas State’s Tyler Lockett, but he played well in other contests and teams generally avoided him late in the season. Diggs had 49 tackles and 10 passes broken up for the year.
The senior had another respectable season to finish his collegiate career. He recorded 51 tackles with three interceptions and five passes broken up. Diggs had a decent week at the 2015 Senior Bowl, but his size limitations were on display from the weigh-in and through the practices.
Diggs is only going to fit in the NFL as a nickelback. He is too short and doesn’t have the length to play on the outside. Diggs was constantly outplayed for balls in college due to his lack of height and length. On the other hand, he has the man-coverage skills to line up against slot receivers and run with them throughout their routes. However, teams will move wideouts around to create size mismatches on Diggs. He is a scrappy defender, and that could help him to overcome some of his size limitations to a degree. Diggs also is a quality tackler who will contribute in the ground game. He could cover backs out of the backfield, but shouldn’t be matched up against tight ends like some nickel corners.
On special teams Diggs should be a core performer who is on coverage units and also could return kicks or punts. He is likely to be a third-day pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Sources say they have him in the fifth round.
Player Comparison: Asante Samuel. Samuel had a good pro career after being a fourth-round pick out of Central Florida in 2003. Samuel (5-10, 185) is not the biggest or most physical corner, but he made plays on the ball that changed games. Diggs is similar in his playing style and is similar size to Samuel, but I think Diggs will be a poor man’s Samuel. Diggs is expected to be a third-day pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, so he could get selected in the same range as Samuel.
NFL Matches: Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, San Diego, Arizona, Indianapolis, Miami, Philadelphia, Houston
There are a number of teams that could consider a nickelback in the mid-rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft. The Titans need to upgrade their coverage, plus Diggs could fit as their nickel. San Diego needs a cornerback to pair with Jason Verrett and Diggs is a similar size. It helps him that general manager Tom Telesco was comfortable enough to draft a short corner in the first round previously, but perhaps San Diego wants a bigger, longer corner to pair with Verrett.
Pittsburgh has a huge need at the cornerback position, and Diggs could interest Mike Tomlin after Tomlin had a lot of success with a similarly sized cornerback in Ronde Barber when Tomlin was Tampa Bay’s defensive backs coach. However with the Steelers, Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbertt have been more inclined to taking bigger, longer cornerbacks.
Staying in Pennsylvania, the Eagles have a huge need at cornerback. They seem to prefer bigger corners, but maybe Diggs will interest Chip Kelly for the nickel spot.
Atlanta could consider a nickelback with some veterans hitting free agency. Houston has some quality young backup cornerbacks, but if Kareem Jackson isn’t re-signed, the position will probably need to be addressed.
The Colts need to find a long-term option to pair with Vontae Davis, but Diggs may not be big enough to fit Indianapolis’ criteria. Arizona could be in the same boat if Antonio Cromartie isn’t re-signed.
The Dolphins have had success with an undersized cornerback in Ben Grimes and could use a young understudy for the veteran. Diggs could be a nice fit in Miami.
RELATED LINKS:
2015 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2015 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2015 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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