Scouting the Draft: South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore Another day, another cornerback prospect. I have already provided scouting reports for L.S.U."s Morris Claiborne,Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick, Georgia's Brandon Boykin, North Alabama's Janoris Jenkins, and Virginia's Chase Minnifield. Today, I will try my hand at cornerback Stephon Gilmore of South Carolina. At 6-1, Stephon Gilmore has elite length for the cornerback position. He uses it to his advantage at the line, extending to re-route receivers in his press. Gilmore could add some bulk at 195 pounds, but he already possesses good strength. Because of his size, Gilmore thrives when in a press position, whether or not he actually jams the receiver. He has excellent lateral quickness, particularly for his size, mirroring receivers with ease. Gilmore was asked to play all sorts of coverages at South Carolina, including off the line in both man and zone concepts. He struggles in this position, staying in his backpedal too long (such as at the 1:27 mark in the video below). Gilmore also displays poor awareness when he's in an off position, especially in zone. He doesn't seem to have a natural feel of zone responsibilities, frequently drifting or jumping routes he shouldn't. For some reason, many analysts have him pegged as a zone cornerback. I think he will thrive in a man-to-man scheme, in which he can use his size and quickness to limit his exposure in off coverage. Gilmore is a rugged tackler (see the 26-second mark above). He is always flying up to stick the ball-carrier. He doesn't use the best mechanics, but the important part is that he's willing to make hits. Gilmore has experience as a return man and as a blitzer. He displays excellent vision and quickness in both aspects of the game. He's a tremendous athlete who is also a solid football player, as opposed to Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin, who I see as a great athlete who just happens to play football. Gilmore should be a really good cornerback in the N.F.L., as long as he goes to the right team. My one concern is that his lack of awareness and ball skills will make him the type of cornerback who is always in position, but just doesn't make the play. Only time will tell. Gilmore has an outside shot to be the third cornerback off the board in April. If that happens, he will most likely slip into the back of the first round. More likely, Gilmore will be an early second-round selection who can potentially be a starter outside from Day 1. Baltimore, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Washington Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia