I did not write this into the 'Big Blue View Rules For Draft Success,' but if you have been around here long enough you know that I believe you can never go wrong in the modern NFL by stocking up on quality coverage guys.
Thus, my curiosity was aroused earlier this week when it was reported that the New York Giants were one of 27 teams at the Coastal Carolina Pro Day, where the star attractions was cornerback Josh Norman.
The 6-foot, 197-pound Norman is a player draft analyst Chris Steuber says has the size and skills to possibly transition to safety -- and we know the Giants like positional flexibility. Norman is on the Draft Countdown list of sleepers.
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post says:
Talent says he's a top-60 pick, but there are some character concerns that could cause him to fall. Either way he has the talent to quickly match-up with NFL receiver at the next level.
Those character concerns apparently include some on-field incidents and shouting matches with coaches.
Matthew Fairburn of Mocking The Draft watched Norman at the East-West Shrine Game and was impressed. Fairburn said Norman "has the size and athleticism that pro scouts will be looking for in the secondary." He added: "Size, athleticism and ball skills. What more could an NFL team ask for in a mid-round selection? He may not be an all-star against the run, but Norman has the feet and hips to be an excellent nickel corner."
NFL.com says:
Norman is a solid prospect from small-school Coastal Carolina. He has great size for the cornerback position and parlays this with an ability to move fluidly and match up with big, athletic wide receivers. He reminds some of a young Ike Taylor, a tall and athletic big corner from a smaller school. Norman does not quite possess the blazing speed that Taylor did when coming into the NFL, however. Teams will be worried about the level of competition he has been playing at for the past four years.
Josh Norman Coastal Carolina highlights (via WPDENewsChannel15)
Josh Norman Profile
Height: 6-foot
Weight:197
School: Coastal Carolina
40 time: 4.66
2011 Stats: 62 tackles, 12 passes defensed, 2 interceptions
Complete List Of Prospect Profiles
George Iloka, S, Boise State
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Nate Potter, OT, Boise State
Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Robert Turbin, RB, Utah State
Vontaze Burfict, MLB, Arizona State
Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest
Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
Kelcie McCray, SS, Arkansas State
Brandon Brooks, OG, Miami (Ohio)
Senio Kelemete, OG, Washington
Chris Polk, RB, Washington
Amini Solatolu, OG, Midwestern State
Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia
Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame
Desmond Wynn, OG, Rutgers
David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
Orson Charles, TE, Georgia
Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
Bobby Massie, OT, Mississippi
Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
Kelechi Osemele, OG, Iowa State
Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
Emmanuel Acho, LB, Texas
Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Dont'a Hightower, MLB, Alabama
Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State
Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia
Mark Barron, S, Alabama
Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson
(E-mail Ed at bigblueview@gmail.com | Follow Big Blue View on Twitter | 'Like' Big Blue View on Facebook.)