Our “Why the Slide” series parallels and grew out our “Why Undrafted” series. The latter was created a number of years ago in response to your questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For both series, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”
Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
During a lot of the leadup to the 2023 NFL Draft, Ringo was a borderline first-round pick. There were even some talk in the media during 2022 that Ringo could turn out as a top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Ringo is huge cornerback for the NFL, and he was a starter on two straight National Championship teams. WalterFootball.com reported during the 2022 season that Ringo was not being graded that high by teams, with most having him on Day 2. Some sources seemed to like him as a potential late first-rounder, but Ringo seemed to be on the bubble of the first and second round. Thus, it was a surprise when he slid all the way to the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
There were multiple reasons why Ringo slid. The biggest contribution was from Ringo being exposed as being extremely stiff as the season progressed, especially late in the year versus better competition. Ringo was abused by receivers, struggling to stay with them out of their cuts and letting them generate significant amounts of separation over the route. As a result, NFL teams felt Ringo was not a fit to play zone or off-man coverage in the NFL. Being viewed as a press-man-only corner led to him not fitting many teams’ defensive schemes. Ringo also came with some character concerns, but his problems in coverage were the largest reason for his decline.
The Philadelphia Eagles ended Ringo’s slide in the fourth round, and they were a great landing spot for Ringo. Philadelphia has two established veteran starters in James Bradberry and Darius Slay. However, both of them are aging, so Ringo has the opportunity to develop behind them and eventually become the starter once they age out. Bradberry is anoth giant corner, so he could provide an excellent example to Ringo about how to adapt his play in order to succeed as in the NFL. While Ringo may lack Bradberry’s athleticism, he could improve through pro coaching and by learning how to highlight his strengths and disguise his weaknesses. Ringo definitely had a shocking slide in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he is fortunate that he landed with a great opportunity to develop and then play at the next level.
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