Why the Slide?: Trey Amos

Why the Slide Series

This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player and/or the reasons other teams passed on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media’s 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.

The Expectations

During the draft process, Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos was a riser with team evaluators during the fall and spring. Amos was a rotational backup for Alabama in 2023, but he impressed in limited action, and team sources raved about his bowl game tape in his finale with the Crimson Tide. In his final season, Amos played well with 47 tackles, three interceptions, and 13 passes broken up. At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, Amos is a big cornerback, and he produced a 4.43 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. In March and April, many thought Amos would be a late first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The ‘Why’

In speaking to team sources, multiple teams had Amos graded as a second-rounder. Thus, they did not view him as having much of a slide as a late two. While the timed speed was good, throughout the process, sources mentioned play speed as a concern. They were worried about his ability to carry verticals from NFL speed receivers and that worry hurt Amos’ draft grade.

The Washington Commanders ended Amos’ slide, and that was an excellent landing spot. Amos goes to a defense with one of the top defensive coaches in the NFL, Dan Quinn. The Washington head coach will coach up Amos well and help to hide his weaknesses. The Commanders wanted to get another starting outside corner to pair with Marshon Lattimore, and Amos was drafted to be that player. Lattimore will draw the No. 1 receivers, and Amos won’t have to play right away as Washington has other veterans like Jonathan Jones and Noah Igbinoghene who can see the field initially. After some development, Amos should take over as the starter across from Lattimore, and Amos could turn into an excellent starter in Washington.