Tag: Marco Wilson

CB Tay Gowan now teammates with CB coach raved about

His position coach at UCF would show Gowan tape of Marco Wilson’s freshman year. Now the tw are teammates on the Arizona Cardinals.

The Arizona Cardinals added two cornerbacks to their roster through the NFL draft last month. They selected Marco Wilson in the fourth round after trading up to do so and selected Tay Gowan in the sixth round.

Little would they know that the two players had a connection without ever having met.

They shared a position coach — Corey Bell, who was assistant defensive backs coach at Florida during Wilson’s freshman year and then cornerbacks coach at UCF from 2018-2020.

Gowan’s one year playing au UCF was in 2019.

Bell would use tape of Wilson as a freshman with teammate C.J. Henderson, now with the Jacksonville Jaguars after he was selected in the first round in 2020.

“All Coach Bell in our meetings would talk about is Marco — like ‘Marco, Marco, Marco,'” Gowan recalled when he spoke with reporters last week. “I’m like. ‘who is that Marco kid he’s talking about?’ So I go and search up Marco I’m like, ‘OK, Marco is a really great player.

“Then we get drafted and it just crazy that all I’ve been hearing about is Marco, Marco, Marco, and now I’m playing with him.”

Wilson, when he spoke with reporters, said both Gowan and Coach Bell had told him about using him as an example at UCF.

“I’m glad I was able to play very well and use my tape to help others get better as well,” Wilson said.

The two will see a lot of each other and will be connected as long as they are on the team. Wilson is highly regarded by the Cardinals and Gowan is viewed by others outside the organization as a potential draft steal.

Now they will be able to learn from each other’s play.

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Cardinals excited about versatility in rookie CB Marco Wilson

The Cardinals view Marco Wilson like Byron Murphy, able to play at a high level in the slot and outside.

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The Arizona Cardinals used two of their Day 3 selections in the 2021 draft on cornerbacks Marco Wilson and Tay Gowan. While both are exciting players, they see them being used differently.

One reason why the Cardinals are very excited about Wilson, the player they feel is the steal of their draft, is the potential to play well either at cornerback or in the slot.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury elaborated when he spoke to reporters after Friday’s rookie minicamp.

“Marco has played both (outside and inside),” he said. “Marco, we like either/or, which is exciting. That gives you Byron Murphy, who we feel like can play at a high level inside or outside, and Marco as well.”

General manager Steve Keim said earlier in the offseason that finding defensive backs who can excel in the slot is more difficult. This would explain why they are so high on Wilson.

Gowan, drafted in the sixth round, is viewed as “definitely an outside guy.” Kingsbury described him as “long” and “really fast,” noting that Gowan played outside in college.

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Grading each draft pick for the Cardinals

We look at the Arizona Cardinals’ NFL draft class and give grades to each selection.

The Arizona Cardinals added seven players in the 2021 NFL draft. They landed five defensive players of the seven, adding only a receiver and a lineman on offense.

Defensively, they added a pair of cornerbacks, a safety, a linebacker and a pass rusher.

While it is technically too early to grade the picks for how they will actually perform on the field, we can evaluate the perceived talent, value and need for each player.

As such, below are grades for each of the Cardinals’ draft picks over the weekend.


Cardinals believe CB Marco Wilson is biggest steal of their draft

They traded up 24 spots and gave a up a future asset to draft him and still believe he is the biggest steal of their draft class.

The Arizona Cardinals finished their work in the 2021 NFL draft selecting seven players. They added five defensive players, including three defensive backs — two cornerbacks.

They feel they got good value with their picks and followed their draft board.

However, when general manager Steve Keim and head coach Kliff Kingsbury were both asked which player they felt was the biggest “steal” of the draft in terms of ability and where he was drafted, they both agreed on the player.

It was their fourth-round pick, cornerback Marco Wilson.

“I would say, based on need, going into the weekend and how things fell, Marco Wilson,” Kingsbury answered. “His athleticism, his workout, what we think of him as a staff and as a personnel department, he’s a big-time talent to get where we got him.”

Keim agreed.

“I would echo Kliff’s sentiments, really just because when you look at the big picture, the guy has got such a high ceiling and yet has a pretty high floor as well,” he said. “I think he’s going to be a really good player, and for him to fail with those athletic traits and his passion for the game, I think when you look at the risk to reward, I think it’s pretty high.”

They liked Wilson enough to move up 24 spots to get him. They did not have a fourth-round pick originally, so they gave the Baltimore Ravens their fifth-round pick (No. 160 overall) and a 2022 fourth-round pick in exchange for the 136th pick and also pick No. 210, a sixth-rounder.

They had to trade a future asset to move up to get him and still feel like he was a steal.

The last time the Cardinals traded up for a defensive back, it was for Budda Baker. That has worked out, as in four seasons he has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times and was also an All-Pro this last season.

Wilson has big potential. We will see what his role is in 2021 and what he becomes in the seasons that lie ahead.

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Arizona Cardinals trade up to select Gators CB Marco Wilson at No. 136

Wilson was a tricky prospect to evaluate after he declared for the NFL draft because of the disparity between his skills and his traits.

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With the 136th pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals selected cornerback Marco Wilson from the University of Florida.

Arizona traded up to acquire Wilson, sending the 160th pick in this draft and a fourth-round pick in next year’s class to ensure Wilson would be a Cardinal, while also tucking away an extra seventh-round pick this year.

Wilson was a tricky prospect to evaluate after he declared for the NFL draft because of the disparity between his skills and his traits. Physically, he has everything you’d want from a shutdown corner. He’s supremely fast and strong, meaning he’ll theoretically be able to stick with opposing burners or come downhill in run support.

However, his tape tells a different story. Wilson’s freshman year was his best in terms of on-field production and it slowly grew worse. He was one of the worst cornerbacks in the SEC in terms of coverage last season and put up some truly atrocious reps for the Gators as the season wound down.

From the standpoint of many fans, the door on Wilson’s career with Florida was slammed shut when he lashed out at an opposing player during the LSU game and threw the opponent’s dislodged shoe across the field. He regretted what happened and seemed to have learned a harsh lesson, but it certainly brings up maturity concerns.

This is a big swing on Arizona’s part. It is gambling they can get the best out of his jaw-dropping physicality and squash the undesirable parts of his game. It’s an immense risk, but the payoff could be just as impressive. The most likely outcome is somewhere closer to his floor than his ceiling, but it’s easy to see him becoming a lethal special teamer who gets downhill like a blur and pile-drives opposing players on kickoffs.

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These three Florida players could be drafted on Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft

Florida is sending a number of players to the professional ranks, so here’s the trio most likely to be picked in the second of third round.

The first round of the 2021 NFL draft was, as always, an absolutely wild ride. Normal draft day chaos was dialed up by a strange COVID-altered college season and several unexpected trades. With the first 32 picks in the books and the first day of action in the rearview mirror, the second wave of picks is set to be held on Friday evening.

Not as much attention is placed on Day 2 of the draft, but it’s just as unpredictable. For example, former Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney was anticipated to be drafted early on in the second round due to a deep class of pass-catchers coming out of college this year. However, he joined ex-Gator Kyle Pitts in the first round of picks, rendering the conversation of who could pick him on Friday totally moot.

Despite the headliners coming off the board on Thursday, some Florida alum will in the mix to be drafted in the second or third of the 2021 NFL draft. Let’s take a look at the three most likely to be picked.

Marco Wilson is confident in his trademark strength and improved maturity

The Florida secondary struggled in 2020, but athletic Gators cornerback Marco Wilson is certain that he can make it in the NFL.

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The conversation surrounding ex-Florida players who hope to be selected in the upcoming NFL draft is rightfully centered on the Gators’ trinity of offensive products. Expand the conversation to a Mount Rushmore of prospects, and the fourth man who enters the picture is cornerback Marco Wilson.

There’s a steep dropoff in national name recognition between quarter Kyle Trask, who will most certainly be the third Gator to be drafted, and Marco Wilson. However, many of the Florida faithful know him well, his name indelibly linked among the fans to an unfortunate shoe-throwing incident that helped seal the deal on Florida’s loss to LSU at the end of the 2020 season.

Experience is often called the best teacher, but in Wilson’s case it was also the harshest one. In an interview with G. Allan Taylor of The Athletic, he called the reaction from many on social media “disgusting.” However, he also acknowledged his mistake, saying he allowing himself to get overcharged because he “just wanted so badly to go out there and beat ’em.”

Wilson’s pro prospects are hardly dead, especially after being rekindled by his jaw-dropping pro day numbers.

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The Athletic’s draft guide called him projectable with room to get stronger, but Wilson disagreed. He responded by saying “I don’t think there’s any corner out there that’s stronger than me right now.” That may sound like stereotypical jock arrogance, especially for a player without significant national renown, but in this case, he’s probably right.

No cornerback in the 2021 draft class topped his 26 reps at the bench press. Only two cornerbacks bested his 40-yard dash time. None even came close to his 43.5” vertical jump. He earned the third-highest RAS grade (a composite athleticism score based on combine/pro day results) for a cornerback since 1987. The only reason he isn’t the highest scorer in this draft class is because Jaycee Horn’s size advantaged barely edged him out.

“The game is tough, and you can’t get caught up in the bad plays. You learn from it and know what you need to work on,” said Wilson.

That mindset will be key to his long-term success in the NFL. He has a checkered history in coverage against college teams and cornerbacks have a famously difficult time getting traction at the next level. On the other hand, his physical gifts clearly aren’t lacking and he’s learned from his mistakes.

Let’s hope experience isn’t quite so harsh a teacher for Wilson the next time around.

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Here’s where every former Gator lands in CBS Sports’ updated seven-round mock draft

Nine former Florida players are projected to be selected in this CBS Sports seven-round mock draft. Here’s where they each end up.

The 2020 season may have been the worst of the Dan Mullen era on paper, as the Gators went 8-4 in the shortened season. But that’s a bit deceiving; the team played an entirely SEC schedule, and Florida won the SEC East for the first time since 2016.

It was six points away from a potential College Football Playoff berth in the SEC Championship against Alabama, and the team that came closest to knocking off the national champion Crimson Tide is projected to put a good number of players into the NFL at the draft later this month.

At the top of the draft, tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Kadarius Toney are projected as first-round picks and expected to end UF’s 10-year drought of offensive skill position players taken in the first round. But beyond that, projections are much more fluid.

This mock draft from CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards is favorable toward a number of Florida players considered fringe draft prospects. Here’s where each of them end up in this projection.

Here’s where each former Gator lands in CBS Sports’ seven-round mock

Florida hasn’t had an offensive skill position player drafted in the first round since Tebow in 2010 but that’s likely to change this year.

After only having five players drafted in 2019 (and no first-round picks for the first time since 2012), the Gators had seven players selected in last year’s draft, including cornerback C.J. Henderson, who went in the top 10.

UF’s 8-4 record in 2020 can be a bit deceiving, as it took a major leap forward on offense despite closing the season on a three-game losing streak. Florida was very productive this season, as quarterback Kyle Trask had a record-setting season, in large part thanks to the play of his supporting cast like tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Kadarius Toney.

Some of the stars from that team are projected to go early in this month’s NFL draft. Florida hasn’t had an offensive skill position player drafted in the first round since Tim Tebow in 2010, but that seems bound to change this year. Here’s where each Florida prospect lands in the CBS Sports seven-round mock draft, which has the team matching its seven players drafted from last year.

Look at these notable former Florida Gators ahead of pro day 2021

Here’s a look at six former Florida Gators expected to participate in this year’s college pro day ahead of the 2021 NFL draft. 

Football season is well in the rearview mirror as spring quickly approaches, which means that all eyes are on the next big date on the calendar: the 2021 NFL draft starting on Thursday, April 29. But before then, there is one particular event for collegiate gridiron giants looking to make the jump into the professional ranks that the entire sport is focused on.

Ahead of the draft, players will hold a pro day with their respective schools to show off their tools and talents to NFL evaluators and scouts. Mind you, this year’s activities will look quite a bit different due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, especially considering the cancelation of the 2021 NFL scouting combine which had previously been held uninterrupted since 1987.

The limitations placed on the players and organizations by COVID-19 makes these pro days that much more important. The University of Florida will be holding its pro day on Wednesday, March 31, including six notable names from last season’s South Eastern Conference East Division champion team.

Below are six former Florida Gators expected to participate in this year’s college pro day ahead of the 2021 NFL draft. Each entry includes the player’s stats, basic demographics and a link to their 2020 Gators Wire player profile card.