Could the
scouts have gotten it that wrong? Is Morris Claiborne really a bust? If
he were, it would be one of epic proportions--Weeden-esque even!
The
question looms in Dallas though, as the Cowboys may be testing the trade waters
for the former #6 overall pick. Magnate owner/GM Jerry Jones, who just
two years ago described Claiborne as “an elite
player by the judgment of our scouts and our coaches,” may
accept a 3rd round pick for what to this point has been a disappointment.
Claiborne
was the sexy pick of the 2012 draft. Cornerbacks were in high demand
following Patrick Peterson’s rookie success, and Jerry Jones made the flashy
move, dealing a 1st and 2nd round pick to the Rams to get him.
Claiborne
seemed a sure bet. Draft experts and fan writers fawned over Claiborne’s
ability. He was thought to be NFL ready--a guy good enough to step in and
lock down half the field from day one. One writer described
Claiborne as a “better
coverage cornerback” than his former LSU teammate, Patrick Peterson,
and as having a skillset that ensured his NFL success. He had those
things that just can’t be taught— speed,
size, ball skills, instincts, and intangibles.
And then
there was the Wonderlic. Claiborne's 4 out of 50 was the lowest test score
recorded at the combine since running back Darren
Davis in 2000. The score was so low that it near forced everyone to buy
his story that he blew off the test. Claiborne tried to downplay the
episode, stating:
“They say
it’s an IQ test. I came to the combine for football. I looked at the test, and
wasn’t any questions about football. I didn’t see no point in the test. I’m not
in school anymore. I didn’t complete it. I only finished 15 or 18 questions.”
Claiborne
wasn't the only one who tried to marginalize the test's predictive value.
"Not to minimize his position," Kiper disclaimed," but
this isn't a quarterback, this isn't a middle linebacker, this isn't a guy that
needs to memorize a dozen reads. He needs to react." I’m not sure
just how indicative Claiborne’s Wonderlic score is of his foot intelligence or
actual intelligence, but it is pretty dumb to think that the test have
significance. It did cause a lot of people to point and stare anyway.
The
mental side of the game looks as if it has been a bigger hurdle than the Kiper,
Jones, and especially Claiborne expected. Defensive back is typically one of
the more difficult positions for guys to adjust to when they get to the pros.
Not only are cornerbacks matched against the most opponents most athletic
player, when they get burned it stands out. Seahawk secondary coach, Paul
Moyer, summarized the difficulties athletic corners often have transitioning to
the NFL, stating:
"you
can get away with using them. The guys who are gifted physically but maybe
weren't great players in college and are a little slower learning - those guys
struggle. They're the projects - the track guys who just have speed."
Add an
endless string of injuries to the mix, (head, shoulder, wrist, and ankle...make
sure you sing this to the head, shoulder, knees, and toes tune) and less than
stellar play on the field, and you have a mighty expensive project on your
hands.
Claiborne
has underperformed at best to this point, and, at the least, just plain
struggled in Monte Kiffin's Tampa 2 defense. Some have suggested that this
system isn't suited for Claiborne's skill set, but after two difficult season
even those excuses are running thin. Claiborne quickly lost his starting job
midway through 2014 after being burned by San Diego Charger rookie wideout,
Keenan Allen, who accumulated 80 yards in just 3 catches.
In
fairness, Claiborne wasn't the only one who struggled in Dallas last season.
The Cowboys' defense ranked among the league's worst in every statistical
category. Everyone seemed to be a poor fit in Kiffin's old school
defense.
So, would
it be dumb for the Carolina Panthers to trade the 92nd pick for a
guy that hasn’t shown a ton of promise yet? No. It wouldn’t be dumb, it would
be high value trade that could just pay dividends for the Panthers.
Before we
get into the logistics, let’s go ahead and get it out of the way...Don’t front
like you didn’t want him bad in 2012! I’ll admit it. He was the guy I was hoping
would somehow slip to the Panthers. I knew it really wasn’t going to
happen, but I wanted it to. I was secretly jealous of Cowboy fans experienced
when their team made the big draft splash.
The
Kuechly selection was a phenomenal pick that demonstrated Hurney’s knack for
great 1st round picks and his canny ability to evaluate linebacker talent.
Admit it, few saw the Panthers going after a middle linebacker in the 1st
round, however. Most of us at the time, myself included, thought Beason was
going to be the Panther mainstay in the middle. Hindsight is 20/20 though, and
we can all celebrate the Golden Boy, Luke Kuechly and be thankful we weren’t
the 0nes that traded the 1st and 2nd for Claiborne.
There are
four reasons that the Carolina Panthers should trade a 3rd round pick for
Claiborne.
1. Moyer’s
comments above apply particularly well to Claiborne. He was
much more of a project than Dallas had expected. He’s had a tough time
acclimating to the pros after a college career where he relied more on
athleticism than skill. He then landed on a dysfunctional team that needed him
to be superstar from the get go. Now this isn’t really too much to expect from
a 6th round pick that you just sacrificed 1st and 2nd round picks, but it
clearly was a little more than Claiborne could handle. The stage may just have
been a little too big for the rookie, and the team too dysfunctional to nourish
the rookie’s development.
2.
The Mike Mitchell Model:
Claiborne’s situation is slightly reminiscent of Mike Mitchell’s in Oakland.
Both were athletically talented guys who still needed development While
Mitchell was wasn’t the high profile, top-ten pick Claiborne was, he also found
himself on a dysfunctional team that has nourished anything but development for
the last decade.
Carolina
is a place where guys like Claiborne can thrive. Mitchell, who has now proven
himself as a starter, was also deemed a bust prior to arriving in Carolina. The
Panthers have the structure that guys like Mitchell and Claiborne can develop.
The coaching staff coaxes a lot out of a little, and that dominant front
seven doesn’t leave the secondary on that proverbial island too often. If the
corners do find themselves on that island, they don’t have to stay there too
long when the Kraken and Charles Johnson are prowling.
3.
Great Value: A 3rd for the #6th
overall, not bad! Given the Panthers needs at other positions, many don’t think
they will look to address the secondary until the 3rd round anyway. Will there
be a corner at #92 in this year’s draft that has the potential Claiborne does?
It’s possible, but not likely.
Claiborne
is scheduled to make about 4.35 million dollars this year. Now assuming
the Panthers would have to pick up his contract that would be a significant
amount against the cap, and we all know the Panthers are “cap challenged.”
Claiborne only has two years left on his contract, so the bet wouldn’t be
long term. The Panthers could essentially land a top talent for 3rd round
money.
4.
Wouldn’t have to be a superstar: Even
if Claiborne didn’t turn out to be the next Patrick Peterson, he has the tools
to be serviceable. I know everyone loved how great Captain Munnerlyn played
last year, but he is 5’8. Can you really match this guy up against a big
bodied, fast receiver? Do you want to see Melvin White on that island
against Julio Jones or Calvin Johnson (yes, we play Detroit next year)?
Would it be better to field a 3rd round draft pick, who will have a
guaranteed learning curve? Claiborne has the tools to be effective, particularly
in man coverage. He has the size and speed to get it done if supported by
a strong defense. He wouldn’t need to be a superstar, he would just need
to contribute. Carolina’s front seven may help him look like one though,
they did it for Munnerlyn anyway.
It all comes back to the Wonderlic I guess in the end. Did
Claiborne get caught up in the hype and glamor of 2012 draft and simply blow
off the Wonderlic test entirely, or is he functionally illiterate? I’m
not sure if it should qualify as a smart trade for the Panthers, but you would
think it would have to be a least a 15 out of 50 type move.
Some people see "the Draft" as a weekend
event. In reality, "the Draft"
is a 365 day process of intensive evaluation.
This process has many moving parts that all fit together to form a large
puzzle-like picture. Preparations for
the 2015 draft are happening as we speak. You can bet Gettleman is breaking the
pieces down, whether it is roster composition, contracts, or evaluating free
agency options. 
