Ole Miss CB Golson Could Be Huge Steal For Saints
While the New Orleans Saints made the cornerback position a focus in the offseason and free agency, that doesn’t mean they aren’t still looking to continue adding more to the toolbox.
The secondary seems set for now with Keenan Lewis and Brandon Browner locked down on the outside and a bevy of others like Brian Dixon and Delvin Breaux looking to work the slot or nickel spot.
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There have been mock drafts and some analysts that projected the Saints could grab someone like former Michigan State corner Trae Waynes early in the first round.
If that idea didn’t sit well with some, and I’m one of those, then options like former LSU Tiger Jalen Collins late in the first round would make more sense.
But even then I just don’t see the Saints taking a corner in the first two rounds unless someone like Marcus Peters the red flagged former Washington product falls into the second round.
Peters by the way visited with the Saints yesterday after speaking with the team at his Pro Day which shows they do have some interest.
Actually I believe that the third or fourth rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft will be a good target zone for the Saints to select a corner and there is one in particular that would be a great pick for them…Senquez Golson.
Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Mississippi defensive back Senquez Golson speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The former Ole Miss corner was a center piece for the famed “Landshark Defense” with the Rebels and also played baseball there as well.
During his senior year he had 10 interceptions, which tied a school record and was second in the nation, with 41 tackles and 8 pass breakups.
The previous year Golson had 2 interceptions with 41 tackles and in 2012 while only starting six games notched 3 interceptions and 36 tackles.
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All scouting reports on Golson show that he is instinctive, smooth in his hips and transition, tracks the football well, and is not afraid to take on responsibilities in run defense.
Another thing that is noticeable with him is his feisty and aggressive nature while making plays which includes fighting for contested passes.
Golson reminds me a good bit of Jason Verrett who was selected out of TCU in the first round of last years draft by the San Diego Chargers.
Aug 28, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett (22) awaits the snap during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Verrett ironically was a player who was mocked to the Saints due to a need at corner but instead went with wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
A common denominator Golson shares with Verrett is something that evaluators don’t like too much which is his size.
At 5’9″ and 180 lbs. the worry is that Golson won’t be able to tangle with wide receivers at the NFL level on the outside and is more a slot corner.
But this is a position that the Saints are needing someone to fill and Golson could be that player.
Despite his size Pro Football Focus has Golson listed on their college football signature stats as #5 on their NFL Passer Rating Allowed with 44.9%, allowing 346 yards when he was thrown at.
Something else that jumped out to me was was his profile on NFL.com where he was compared to a player that caused the Saints plenty of problems through the years…Miami Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes.
With Golson only having a third to fourth round grade leading up to the draft, he wouldn’t be a reach by any means if selected there.
In fact with two picks in the third round at #75 and #78, Golson wouldn’t be a reach for the Saints but more like a steal…….