Jimmy Moreland, CB, James Madison
If you’re familiar with my work, you’ll know I’m a SUCKER for good cornerback play. In a class where the drop-off in talent is substantial, I believe Jimmy Moreland is a real diamond in the rough.
In 56 games at James Maddison, he knocked down 63 passes, intercepted 18, accumulated 208 tackles and recorded 7.5 for a loss. That’s impressive, right? When i tell you he’s 5-11 and weighs 175 lbs, it’s even more so.
Moreland is a scrappy corner who plays with a chip on his shoulder. He can get grabby at times as a result. His ball-skills are flat out ridiculous, tracking the ball over his shoulder like a wide receiver and keeping his head on a swivel, playing the ball and not the receiver.
He presses hard at the line of scrimmage and gives more than a ‘bump’ at the best of times which could hurt at the next level.
His size will likely limit him to a nickel role at the NFL level, but considering how much movement could take place in the Eagles secondary, why not add an aggressive corner who will chirp like Jalen Mills, hit like Rodney McLeod and pluck like Rasul Douglas?
RB, Devine Ozigbo, Nebraska
Ozigbo will wear down defenders as the game progresses and there’s little wear on the tire, given that he’s only carried the ball 20+ times in a game on 7 occasions during his career. He’s laterally rapid, maintains a low center of gravity and is able to really explode in short-yardage situations. He possesses the right mentality to be efficient in pass protection and his acceleration is among the best in this list.
Long speed hurts Ozigbo and while turning the corner isn’t a worry as such, being able to find the next gear when he’s done so could turn a would be 20-yard gain into a much shorter one.
Ozigbo would replace the role Wendell Smallwood currently has in this case and would cost the Eagles very little. He has all the right tools in the box, it’s just a case of developing a hard-nosed runner into a more well-rounded prospect.
Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
