2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Trent McDuffie





  • Trent McDuffie, 5-11/195

  • Cornerback

  • Washington


  • Trent McDuffie Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Awareness
  • Instincts
  • Can play inside or outside
  • Well developed
  • Polished technique
  • Tracks the ball well
  • Comfortable with the ball in the air
  • Showed some gall skills
  • Good hands
  • Ideal height
  • Length
  • Can play off-man-coverage
  • Can play press-man-coverage
  • Can play zone
  • Straight-line speed
  • Recoverability
  • Quick feet
  • Willing run defender
  • Instinctive to go for the ball
  • Chases down ball-carriers
  • Skilled punt returner
  • Excellent special teams coverage player
  • Athletic upside




  • Weaknesses:
  • Enough size, but not big
  • A little short
  • Not a lot of interception production in college


  • Summary: LSU and Florida have a running debate about which university is known as “DB U,” but the Washington Huskies belong in that conversation as well. A couple of years ago, the Huskies program produced three second-round picks in a single draft, and that came after developing many other NFL defensive backs. McDuffie will keep the early-round trend going established by the likes of Budda Baker, Byron Murphy, Sidney Jones and Kevin King.

    McDuffie was a solid cover corner for Washington over the past three seasons. He put together a strong freshman campaign in 2019 with 45 tackles, two forced fumbles, an interception and two passes defended. In the 2020 mini-season, he had 14 tackles and a pick. The Huskies struggled in 2021, but McDuffie played well, recording 35 tackles and six passes broken up.

    McDuffie enters the next level as a polished cornerback with good technique and intelligence. His awareness and instincts are things that really stand out. He does an excellent job of reading the offense and getting himself in position to make plays. McDuffie is instinctive in his route diagnosis, aware of what the offensive is trying to do, and reacts quickly. Helped by his instincts getting him in position, McDuffie is a smooth cover corner to run the route and prevent separation. He is very calm and comfortable with the ball in the air, showing a knack for timing his contact well to avoid penalties while breaking up passes. McDuffie has enough size to match up with big wideouts and the speed to handle fast players. He could be developed into a versatile corner who can play outside, inside in the slot, and perform in a variety of techniques like off-man, press-man, or zone.



    McDuffie also is a good run defender who is willing to get physical and tackle. He chases down ball-carriers and shows an attacking style to swarm the ball. A lot of college cover corners get lax against run, but McDuffie is aggressive and helps his team in the ground game.

    McDuffie brings added value by being an excellent special teams player. He is a quality punt returner and a fabulous gunner. His NFL team may use him sparingly on special teams to keep him healthy for being available as a starting cornerback, but McDuffie could be an excellent special teams player as a rookie backup corner.

    Some NFL team sources told WalterFootball.com they are projecting McDuffie to being a pick in the back half of the first round and feel that he won’t last long if he slips to Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft.



    Player Comparison: Byron Murphy. McDuffie reminds me of Murphy coming out out of Washington. Both have good instincts and polish alongside the versatility to play a variety of techniques or line up at different positions. I could see Murphy being a similar NFL player to Murphy.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2022 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2022 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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