Eric Rowe 2015 NFL Draft scouting report

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Eric Rowe

• Position: Cornerback (CB)
  
• Class: Senior
  
• College: Utah
  
• Ht/Wt: 6'1", 205 pounds
  

Scouting Report

Eric Rowe spent most of his college career as a safety, switching to cornerback for his senior season. After viewing his cornerback tape, I feel confident that he can be a great cornerback in a press-man scheme or in zone coverage, and if a team wants to make him a safety, I bet he could handle that just fine.

Rowe is a bigger defensive back with good functional athleticism. He plays physically with receivers; he isn't shy about bumping them on their routes, and is very active in run support. Rowe keeps an eye on all players on the field, and when he sees the quarterback passing, he knows where the ball will be going. He's usually in the right place at the right time. Rowe has great balance and body control, giving him good ball skills and the ability to break up passes from bad angles.

While Rowe had a strong Combine, he doesn't have great deep speed, and he'll always struggle with go routes against faster receivers. His transition to corner this year was somewhat of a work in progress. His footwork was good, but he needs to improve his hip transition and his body positioning at the catch point, as he sometimes gave up passes he shouldn't have.

Grade

I'm a fan of Rowe. He feels like a Swiss Army Knife for a guy like Rex Ryan. Rowe can play corner or safety in this defense, and he has the size and speed to excel there. He plays with fire, but also has a good awareness of the play and players during the game. I've graded him as a late-first, early-second-round pick, and it wouldn't shock me if the Bills wanted to draft him on Friday.