Carolina Panthers Select: Cb Jayron Hosley

[Zod]

Jayron Hosley

5-10 , 178

CB / PR Virginia Tech

With their second round pick the Carolina Panthers address two positions of need, cornerback and punt returner.

As a cornerback, Hosley is a ball hawk with 12 interceptions and 20 passes broken up over the past two seasons. He played through an injured hamstring and late season concussion, but still managed to start play through the pain. He plays with an attitude and isn't afraid to challenge larger receivers. Had 4 breakups in the Sugar Bowl against Michigan, doesn't disappear in big games.

As a punt returner averaged just over 11 yards per return in 3 season. Doesn't have blazing speed but has the shiftiness to improve field position with consistency. Armanti Edwards does not appear to be a legitimate option in the return game, which leaves the door open for Jayron.

The Panthers need some skill at he corner back position opposite Chris Gamble. Jayron Hosley did nothing but produce in his college career, even while playing through pain. He is my pick.

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[GamecockSmitty4]

No thanks. We have enough nickelbacks already.

[DaCityKats]

big WRs give him problems.

[chknwing]

hes 5-10, he will get eaten alive by the big receivers in the league.

[panthers55]

<p>

But his final game at Virginia Tech will be remembered for what could have been.

In the second half, Hosley appeared to have two interceptions off Michigan’s Denard Robinson. On the first one he appeared to make a diving catch, but after an official review, the play was overturned. On Michigan’s next series Hosley appeared to snag another interception but officials called him for pass interference.

It was a case of bowl game déjà vu for Hosley, who dropped what could have been a pick six on Stanford’s Andrew Luck early in the second half that could have changed the momentum in Virginia Tech’s 40-12 Orange Bowl loss to the Cardinal in 2010.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/hokies-journal/post/jayron-hosley-of-virginia-tech-will-declare-for-the-nfl-draft/2012/01/04/gIQA4zwtZP_blog.html

Just what we need, another butterfingered DB who almost makes the big catch in a big game.

[PantherBrew]

hes 5-10, he will get eaten alive by the big receivers in the league.

Isn't Revis 5-10?

[Zod]

Lol at discounting 5'10 cb's

Catch a clue

[cotblock]

Isn't Revis 5-10?

No he's 5-11. That's ONE WHOLE INCH. Don't you know that one inch makes all the difference between the best CB in the NFL and a complete failure?

No #thatswhatshesaid

[panthers55]

Isn't Revis 5-10?

Close- 5'11" but the logic remains the same, it isn't just size but positioning, speed and being able to jump at the right time that determines whether a smaller corner can cover a larger receiver.

[carolina-chuck]

Wouldn't doubt it. The panthers have talked to him also. Would love to have him.

Revis is like 5'11". Asante is 5'10". I guess

Hosley probably is a better cover guy than Kirk who is 6'2". I'd take he best cb over some stupid physical attribute.

[GamecockSmitty4]

lol @ comparing Hosley to Revis

[DynastyRTR]

its not his height that scares me. he played around 170 at VT but bulked up a bit for the daft process. whichever team that drafts him will probably ask him to get up around 185 at least. if he does, he could lose some of his athleticism and speed. I do not see a nickel corner when i watch him. seems like a guy that will either succeed at a high level(Asante Samuel) or bust(Fabian Washington)

[mr beauxjangles]

2006 article by Clayton: Teams Have Different Philosophies on Cornerback Size

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft06/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=2422307

Still, the success of Smith and Santana Moss opened offenses' eyes to the advantage of the quick receivers who can get a lot of yards after the catch. It's forcing teams to upgrade the ratings on the smaller, quicker cornerbacks who can run with the receivers.

And that's a smart move, considering research shows that bigger defenders have a shorter longevity.

"In a 10-year study he did of cornerbacks, he noticed that the taller cornerbacks usually don't make it," Titans general manager Floyd Reese said. "How many 6-2 cornerbacks are there in the league?"

Currently, the NFL has only four starting cornerbacks who are 6-2: Gary Baxter of the Browns, Julian Battle of the Chiefs, Andre Woolfolk of the Titans and Mike Rumph of the 49ers, who played a little safety in the past two seasons. There are no 6-3 corners starting in the league.

"The optimum height is about 5-11," Reese said. "Many of the taller cornerbacks tend to get hurt."

Bigger cornerbacks tend to be more physical, which leads to more injuries. Bigger cornerbacks don't fear contact. That leaves them as targets sometimes.

There are plenty of very highly-rated, 5'10" CBs out there. Revis, Asante, Brent Grimes, Devin McCourty, Sheldon Brown, Ladarius Webb...hell, Antoine Winfield is 5' 9". I'm sure there are many more.

[PhillyB]

178lbs? good lord.