Tag: T.J. Tampa

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 37, Iowa State CB T.J. Tampa

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

On paper, the Green Bay Packers appear to have a solid group of cornerbacks. Jaire Alexander is an all-pro caliber player. Carrington Valentine showed promise last season as a seventh-round rookie. Keisean Nixon is back to man the nickel position. If former first-round pick Eric Stokes can rediscover his rookie form the Packers could have a solid foundation in place.

There are obvious concerns with this group. Can Alexander and Stokes stay healthy? Will Valentine fall victim to a sophomore slump? With question marks surrounding the group, one would expect the Packers to add another body to bolster the cornerback room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

A cornerback that the Packers could target on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft is T.J. Tampa. The Iowa State product checks in at No. 37 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A three-star recruit out of Florida, Tampa became a full-time starter for the Cyclones in 2022 and responded with five tackles for loss, one interception and nine pass deflections. This past season, Tampa recorded three tackles for loss, two interceptions and seven pass deflections. 

“My time at ISU was everything I could have asked for,” Tampa said. “From day one, my coaches were committed to developing me into the young man and player I needed to be.  Even in my down times, that never changed. I have had the best teammates who are now friends, and brothers for life. That’s why transferring was never an option when presented with options.”

Tampa checks the boxes with his size (6-0) and length. He has long strides that allow him to make up ground if he’s beaten off the line of scrimmage and his length gives quarterbacks a small window to throw into. Once the ball arrives, Tampa does a good job of corralling the wide receiver and limiting YAC. 

“My film study is key,” Tampa said. “My natural instincts, athleticism, and length allow me to stick with receivers in man or zone coverage.”

During his prep career, Tampa played wide receiver and that background is evident when the ball enters his area code. He showcases plus ball skills and tracks the ball like a wide receiver. He showcases good route instincts and does a good job of challenging wide receivers at the catch point. Over the past two seasons, Tampa picked off three passes and broke up 16 more. 

“I already had great ball skills from playing wide receiver previously,” Tampa said. “I just had to develop my technique as a cornerback to not only mirror the receiver but track the ball.”

Tampa is feisty in coverage and that physicality shows up occasionally in run support. During the first nine games of the season, Tampa was tagged with just two missed tackles. In the final three games, Tampa missed eight tackles.

“I am an enthusiastic tackler,” Tampa said. “At ISU, our defensive backs are expected to provide elite run support more than other schools, so physicality at that position is important.”

Tampa played primarily on special teams during his first season in Ames and finished his collegiate career with 301 snaps on special teams. 

Fit with the Packers

In a perfect world, Alexander would stay healthy and play every game of the 2024 season. Stokes puts the past two seasons behind him and returns to form. If those two things happen the Packers are all set at cornerback.

Even the best-laid plans go amuck. Gutekunst recently said that he’s comfortable with the cornerback depth if they can all stay healthy. Recent history suggests that won’t happen. Gutekunst would be wise to add another talented cornerback to that room.

With his length and ball skills, Tampa could provide the Packers with a playmaker in the secondary.

“I am a long, extremely athletic cornerback, with a high IQ for the game,” Tampa said. “My coverage ability is also matched by my ability to support the run defense. I’m also scheme versatile, so I can quickly adjust to different defensive philosophies and excel in them.  I believe those traits will serve any NFL team well.”

A year after drafting Anthony Johnson Jr, Gutekunst could once again turn to Ames, Iowa for secondary help. Tampa looks great off the bus and has the ability to take half the field away.

With the Packers owning four picks on Day 2 of the draft, Tampa could be a target for Green Bay when the calendar flips to April 26th. 

Panthers trade down, select interesting WR prospect in newest ESPN mock draft

ESPN’s Field Yates gives the Panthers a relatively new name in his latest 2024 mock draft.

Maybe the Carolina Panthers aren’t done positioning themselves on this spring’s board.

ESPN insider Field Yates just mocked up a fresh set of two-round projections for the 2024 NFL draft. He begins the second round by shipping off Carolina’s first pick (33rd overall) to the Tennessee Titans, who use the deal to select Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson.

In exchange, the Panthers received a pair of fourth-rounders and the 38th overall selection—which they invest in Florida wideout Ricky Pearsall. Yates writes:

The interior offensive line and pass rush have been fortified through free agency, but the Panthers are still looking to beef up the receiver room for second-year quarterback Bryce Young. Pearsall — who had 965 yards last season — is an explosive, powerful pass-catcher with a wide catch radius.

Pearsall is not a name we’ve been used to seeing around these parts. Nonetheless, the 6-foot-1, 189-pound receiver could be the reliable and oft-open target head coach Dave Canales is looking to add.

What’s also interesting is that Yates opted for Pearsall over quite a few familiar prospects. Georgia’s Ladd McConkey, Florida State’s Keon Coleman and Oregon’s Troy Franklin were all left on the board when Pearsall was taken.

Yates then scoops up Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa for Carolina with the very next pick. With Donte Jackson now gone in the team’s trade for former Pro Bowler Diontae Johnson, the defense is still without a clear starter across from Jaycee Horn in the secondary.

[lawrence-related id=694593,694678,694508]

Vikings 2024 NFL draft scouting report: Iowa State CB T.J. Tampa

Iowa State CB T.J. Tampa was excellent for the Cyclones over the last few seasons. What does his NFL Draft stock look like?

Welcome to SKOL Search!

This series will be your guide to the 2024 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.

The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at quarterback, running back, defensive line and edge rusher. We will also focus on wide receiver since it’s a loaded class and an increased chance to get a Stefon Diggs-type steal in the later rounds.

The Vikings are slated to have 9 picks going into the NFL draft and they need to make the most out of them.

10 cornerbacks the Colts should watch at NFL combine

The Colts should keep an eye on these CBs during Friday’s workouts.

The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine officially got underway with the start of workouts Thursday, and they’ll continue Friday with the defensive backs and tight ends taking the field.

The Indianapolis Colts will have a keen eye on all three positions—safeties and cornerbacks are lumped together—considering they are relatively high priorities in terms of needs this offseason.

While the combine is mostly important for the medical reports and formal interviews with prospects, the on-field testing does carry some weight for the Colts. Their investment in high-end athletes has been well-documented throughout Chris Ballard’s tenure.

Here are 10 cornerbacks the Colts should watch during Friday’s workouts at the NFL combine:

3 great Cowboys draft prospects for Mike Zimmer’s defense

The Dallas draft team is great at getting prospects that fit with what their coaches will run. Here are some players that could fit what Zimmer likes in his style of defense. | From @cdpiglet

Under Will McClay’s stewardship, the Dallas Cowboys have been excellent at listening to their coaches for what they need in draft prospects to fit the scheme they want to run. Rod Marinelli wanted penetrating defensive tackles that could play the run on the way to the quarterback and large, lengthy defensive ends. It didn’t always work out, but the team drafted players like Demarcus Lawrence, Taco Charlton, and Trysten Hill.

Kris Richard was a co-defensive coordinator for Dallas in 2018 and 2019, and the Cowboys adapted to his belief in corners above 6-foot and 200 pounds. Dan Quinn was able to bring in versatile defensive prospects. Cornerbacks that could play safety, safeties that could be hybrid linebackers, linebackers who could pass rush, and defensive ends that could move inside to defensive tackle. Dallas drafted guys like Micah Parsons, Israel Mukuamu, Chauncey Golston, DeMarvion Overshown, and Viliami Fehoko Jr., and their undrafted free agents included Markquese Bell, Juanyeh Thomas and Tyrus Wheat as well.

Now Mike Zimmer is the new DC, and he has his likes and dislikes. Cornerbacks who are good in man coverage, can play press and tackle, linebackers who can blitz and cover, defensive tackles who clog up the run lanes, and safeties who are bright on the back end but can also bring pressure when necessary. The NFL draft is just over two months away and here’s a look at three prospects who fit the mold.

Colts stockpile upside in Draft Wire’s 4-round mock

Here are the Colts’ picks from Draft Wire’s latest mock.

The Indianapolis Colts are still months away from the 2024 NFL draft, but the discussions of who they will select have been well underway.

Thankfully, our friends over at Draft Wire put together a four-round mock draft ahead of Super Bowl LVIII. In that mock, the Colts selected plenty of talent with upside on both sides of the ball.

From an exciting addition to the receiver room to some intriguing upside on defense, here’s how that mock draft went for the Colts:

Alex Insdorf 2024 mock draft 1.0: Chargers bolster both sides of the ball

The Chargers strike gold in Alex Insdorf’s first mock draft.

The Chargers sit less than three months away from the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit. After hiring new head coach Jim Harbaugh, attention will turn to the staff he’s going to build out. But following the college showcases like the Shrine and Senior Bowls along with NFL Free Agency, the calendar will eventually turn to April.

It’s still too early for definitive projections, but we’ll see how PFF’s mock draft simulator adjusts to stock changes throughout the season. For this exercise, I’ve limited it to five rounds for the time being given uncertainty about later round prospects’ draft stocks.

With the fifth pick, the Los Angeles Chargers select:

LSU WR Malik Nabers (1.5)

As ESPN insider Field Yates said on the Guilty as Charged Podcast YouTube channel a few days ago, the current belief is that the draft starts at five with the Chargers. Three quarterbacks seem to be likely to fly off the board in the first three slots with Chicago, Washington, and New England. Ultimately, I believe Arizona takes Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 4.

So that gives the Chargers options. Brock Bowers is a fan favorite as a dynamic pass-catching tight end who can wreak havoc in the open field. Building out the trenches with Joe Alt or Olu Fashanu is also an option here. Trey Pipkins has just one year on his deal prior to become a cut candidate in 2025. Wide receiver Rome Odunze’s draft stock has skyrocketed following a stellar season at Washington.

As we sit here in January, my pick would be Nabers. He would add an element of explosiveness that the Chargers have lacked in recent years. Currently, there isn’t much clarity on what the team decides to do with Keenan Allen or Mike Williams given their contractual situations. But even if both returned in theory, Nabers’ speed, ability to force missed tackles, and explosive separation provides a skillset that no Chargers receiver has.

The argument against taking a receiver this high may be that it’s too early to give up on Quentin Johnston. But Nabers represents a level of wide receiver prospect that isn’t going to fall into the Chargers’ laps anytime soon if they’re to improve as quickly as they should under Harbaugh. Also, the LSU wide receivers’ ability to line up at all receiver spots on the field including X, Z, and slot is something that could take stress off of Johnston.

He would be the first receiver off the board in any draft that didn’t include Harrison Jr., and the Chargers should take full advantage of that as they head into a rebuild.

With the 37th pick, the Los Angeles Chargers select:

Iowa State CB T.J. Tampa (2.37)

The Chargers come into this draft with a severe need to stabilize their secondary, particularly the cornerback position. Michael Davis is a free agent after a down year. J.C. Jackson was traded to the Patriots midseason and will account for a portion of the teams’ dead cap.

It’s obviously a little early to see how they manage any of these mock drafted positions prior to free agency, but cornerback requires premium capital investment as it stands. Asante Samuel Jr., Ja Taylor, and Deane Leonard are the only corners with starting or contributing roles on the team right now.

Tampa is a potential solution to a lot of the issues at outside corner. As the first addition to future defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s defense in this mock, Tampa is a big 6’2″, 200 pounds on the outside. Yet despite his size, he’s shown scheme flexibility in multiple sorts of coverages. He’s also a dynamic enough athlete for his size that should still test well. Obviously, his frame also helps him in defending the run.

I think pick five is a little too high to take a Kool-Aid McKinstry or Nate Wiggins level prospect barring a trade back in round one. But the Chargers can pounce on a cornerback in round two with the selection of Tampa. Should he manage to slip out of the first round, LA grabs a corner with great awareness and athletic traits here.

With the 69th pick, the Los Angeles Chargers select:

Michigan LB Junior Colson (3.69)

With Harbaugh and Minter both coming to LA, most Chargers fans started rightfully discussing some of the great Michigan defensive prospects that will be in the 2024 draft class. Kris Jenkins could be a guy to watch in round two on the defensive line while Mike Sainristil is an awesome slot corner prospect in round three.

After selecting Tampa in round two though, Colson is the addition that makes the most sense to me as the Chargers continue to build out their defense here. Eric Kendricks and Kenneth Murray seem unlikely to return to LA considering their contractual situations as well as their respective 2023 performances. After drafting Daiyan Henley last year, in the same round, the Chargers get another linebacker here with good skills in pass coverage. The Michigan prospect recorded an 83.4 PFF coverage grade this year with run defense grades near 80 in each of the last two seasons.

The biggest issue the Chargers have right now is their pass coverage in the middle of the field and Colson would rectify that on day one. Also, bringing in someone with good familiarity with Minter’s scheme could make him a potential green dot signal caller candidate with LA.

With the 105th pick, the Los Angeles Chargers select:

Georgia C Sedrick Van Pran

Center is a position in need of some addressing too. The loss of Corey Linsley to likely retirement will loom large as the Chargers construct their offensive line for 2024.

There’s an argument to take a center even earlier with a prospect like Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson available. But for me, the Chargers have to address defense with their day two picks if they’re taking a top five offensive player on day one. Sedrick Van Pran was the best center on the board here.

At 6’4″ and 310, Van Pran is a physical center that packs an incredible initial punch off of the line. If we’re talking about ways to improve the Chargers’ run game, Van Pran would be a start to getting the interior of this offensive line where it needs to be.

There is a little bit of a lateral side to side agility issue with Van Pran’s game where it is now, but it’s not a concern to me with how high his floor is as a prospect generally. Considering the run game that Harbaugh (and maybe Greg Roman) will want to go for, he can anchor it.

With the 142nd pick, the Los Angeles Chargers select:

Troy RB Kimani Vidal

Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley are most likely gone. Right now, the only Charger running back under a yearly contract is Isaiah Spiller. Elijah Dotson is on a futures deal for 2024.

The Chargers most likely will need to sign a cheaper running back in free agency given their financial situation in addition to drafting a younger guy who can contribute to a running back by committee structure. In the fifth round, I have them taking Vidal to help their rushing attack.

Despite his small 5’8″ stature, Vidal is one of the most athletic running backs in the class with both great lateral quickness and breakaway speed. For his size, he’s also a better than average blocker. Vidal holds the Troy school rushing record.

In 2023, Vidal averaged 5.6 yards per carry with nearly 20 carries of 15+ yards. He grades out amongst the top running backs in this class in any elusiveness statistic as well.

He runs like a bowling ball that was shot out of a tank.

 

2024 NFL mock draft: Eagles add elite depth at the cornerback, safety position

We’re doing a 2024 NFL mock draft roundup, and the Philadelphia Eagles are projected to add depth at cornerback and safety

The Eagles are 11-6 and looking for a reset entering the playoffs after a 27-10 loss to the Giants in the season finale.

Even with Nick Sirianni’s team clinching a playoff berth for the third straight year, it’s never too early to look ahead at the NFL draft, and with so many holes on defense, Howie Roseman has the assets to retool the roster.

Philadelphia has never drafted an off-the-ball linebacker in the first round, and they won’t this spring either, but Howie Roseman will reload in the trenches and could get a familiar name in the second round.

We’re looking ahead, and mock draft roundups have the Birds restocking in the trenches or the secondary.

2024 NFL mock draft: Eagles reload in secondary with All-American cornerback

We’re looking at a 2024 NFL Mock Draft and the Baltimore Ravens are projected to land cornerback Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo

The Eagles are 10-4 and looking to snap a three-game losing streak when they host Tommy DeVito and the New York Giants on Christmas Day.

Even with Nick Sirianni’s team clinching a playoff berth for the third straight year, it’s never too early for a look ahead at the NFL draft.

Philadelphia has never drafted an off-the-ball linebacker in the first round, and they won’t this spring either, but Howie Roseman will reload in the trenches and could get a familiar name in the second round.

We’re looking ahead, and mock draft roundups have the Birds restocking in the trenches or the secondary.

2024 NFL draft: Bowl season cornerback big board

2024 NFL draft: Bowl season cornerback big board from Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon

Bowl season is starting to ramp up around the college football landscape. There have even been some interesting prospects for the 2024 NFL draft who have already played out their exhibition finales.

Up next in the positional rankings are the cornerbacks. This tends to be one of the most volatile positions over the course of a draft process, in part because athletic testing plays such a big role in how the NFL views these players as prospects.

Offensive tackles

Wide receivers (via Brennen Rupp)