David Long hype train picking up steam

Submitted by Laser Wolf on April 18th, 2019 at 10:32 AM

I was wondering why David Long hadn't been generating more excitement in the pre-draft process as I see him as a future #1 cover corner in the league. It seems like the talk from pundits is starting to pick up though and he could hear his name called earlier than some projected.

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports: "NFL comparison: Darrelle Revis

I know, I know, I know. Revis should be sacred when it comes to these comparisons. I don't think Long will be the next Revis. I think their styles of play (and athleticism) are closely comparable. Revis smothered everyone in bump-and-run coverage and had the otherworldly movement skills to almost instantly react to every wideout's movement. Long was the premier press man cornerback I watched in this draft class ... then he had a combine nearly identical to Revis' pro day in 2007."

 

Mike Renner of PFF: "Writing up why @PFF is so high on CB David Long. Went looking for why others are low on him & pretty much every list of negatives reads: - undersized - rarely played zone - bad run D If a CBs biggest knocks aren’t related to how he actually covers WRs, he’s probably pretty good"

 

OwenGoBlue

April 18th, 2019 at 1:40 PM ^

Not even undersized at all in practical terms. 5’ 11” is the average height for an NFL defensive back.

I’m interested to see how high he goes. Long doesn’t have the INT, tackle or PBU stats that appeal to pundits and mock draft types but that’s because he was only targeted something like 60 times in his career. 

Joined: 04/03/2016

MGoPoints: 31527

Michrider41

April 18th, 2019 at 11:38 AM ^

The Lions will take some obscure guy you've never heard of and he will be out of football in 2 years. That's pretty much their drafts for the last 20 years.   With the exception of Suh and Calvin, which were no brainer picks, the Lions drafts have not been inspiring.

Joined: 07/26/2016

MGoPoints: 2980

SoIWontGetFined

April 18th, 2019 at 1:00 PM ^

Tabor looks like a big miss obviously, but Quinn's other 2nd round picks are A'Shawn Robinson and Kerryon Johnson so not sure I'm buying your analysis.  Also worth pointing out that the results seem to be getting better with each successive draft.  2016 was fine in rounds 1-3 but basically a mess after that.  2017 was pretty solid except for Tabor and the rounds 6-7 and featured big wins in the 3rd (Golliday) and 5th (Agnew).  Last year looks really good though it's still early.

Joined: 01/31/2017

MGoPoints: 703

swalburn

April 18th, 2019 at 11:45 AM ^

In the Kiper-McShay mock they just had Long at 49.  They had 4 Michigan defensive players in top 49 picks.  It will be hard to replace those guys next year but it is pretty exciting to see.  Hopefully, the recruits see it and want to come aboard.

Joined: 11/24/2011

MGoPoints: 8040

LSAClassOf2000

April 18th, 2019 at 12:15 PM ^

I would think there is some appeal even in that, true. Building a track record of having multiple players go in the first two rounds has to be on the minds of at least some recruits. I am not sure that this would be the primary driver all the time, but I imagine it is a consideration. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130679

njvictor

April 18th, 2019 at 1:04 PM ^

Idk if this is necessarily "the hype train picking up." It's just one dude's player comp and another dude saying he doesn't have many flaws. He's still probably gonna go in the 2nd or 3rd round like he's been projected to be since the combine

Joined: 07/20/2017

MGoPoints: 65406