2015 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Eric Rowe, DB, Utah

Eric Rowe is a guy that I've personally talked up quite a bit. He's got some versatility as he played free safety for the first three years of his college career before moving to corner this past year. He's got some fans in the scouting community as well as some doubters. I personally happen to be a fan. Why? Well, let's go ahead and dig a bit deeper.

[Seven-round all-Giants mock draft from 'Invictus']

Pros

- Monstrous height/weight/speed. 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, with a 4.45 40-yard dash and 6.70 3-cone.

- Instinctive and intelligent defender that has good vision to break and undercut balls

- Tracks the ball very well

- Aggressive in run support.

- Good balance and coordination

- Plus change of direction

Cons

- Somewhat stiff hipped

- Transition is sometimes a bit rough

- Can bite on play fakes a few times

- Deep speed is questionable despite his burst and his 40 time.

Does He Fit With The Giants?

It's more dependent on what position the Giants are looking at. Rowe is a big-bodied corner who is instinctive in coverage, has ball skills, and is a fundamental tackler. As a free safety, he's a prime conversion project and would compete instantly for a starting spot on the Giants. You have to think Dave Merritt would be happy with him.

Prospect Video

Big Board Rankings

Big Blue View - 46

Mocking The Draft - Not in top 100

CBS Sports - 118

Draft Tek - 139

Final Thoughts

As a corner, Rowe is an off man cover corner worthy of a late day 2 or day 3 pick. His transition is the worst part of his game as is when he tries to press his man. They don't work out and he gets beat. However, when you watch his reaction speed breaking on the ball when in zone or playing off against underneath routes, he has some elite traits. That's why I think he's a late day 1 or early day 2 prospect at free safety. Not as glamorous as CB, but as Devin McCourty (the guy I'm going to compare play styles to with Rowe) showed, it can still pay well.