T.J. Tampa – Page 3 – Syndication Server

T.J. Tampa discusses his 2024 NFL draft slide; Being inspired by Jalen Ramsey

T.J. Tampa discusses his 2024 NFL draft slide; Being inspired by Jalen Ramsey and other topics during interview with Ravens Wire

Many NFL pundits believe that Ravens rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa may become “the steal of the draft.” Baltimore took him out of Iowa State in the fourth round, at pick No. 130.

Tampa had been projected as a day-two guy, and almost no draftnik expected him to fall past the middle of round three.

The Ravens’ talented rookie and former Iowa State star took a break from rookie offseason conditioning to speak with us by phone on Monday, and we asked him why he feels he took a dive in the 2024 NFL Draft.

“I’m not too sure, it could have been a lot of different things,” he said exclusively to Ravens Wire.

“I don’t really know what they were thinking. Maybe it was (my) not doing anything at the combine, or maybe my 40 time, whatever that ended up being.”

The draft snubbing will, of course, provide added fuel in the drive to succeed this season.

“It definitely put a chip on my shoulder, going through this process,” he said.

“So when my name is called I can show everybody what I got.”

The 22-year-old Norristown, PA native is currently working out with the other Ravens rookies. He will only get about a week off to chill this summer, and during that period, he’ll visit his family in West Palm Beach, FL.

Rookies report to Ravens training camp on July 13. Tampa has teamed up with Zebra Sports, which has a wearable tech that has provided the NFL’s ball and player tracking metrics for the past ten years.

“Once the start of the season comes, I’ll be able to see my real player stats and how my stats link up with other players in the NFL, to see how quick and fast I am when compared to them.”

“Technology is in everything on the field, so it helps with ball speed, top speed, acceleration. They have next gen stats- you’ll see it when it tracks speed.”

According to Tampa, he’s already recorded a top speed north of 21 mph. He said he didn’t become a cornerback until 2020 and then articulated what specific player inspired him.

“I watched a lot of Jalen Ramsey when I first started playing corner,” he said.

That’s who I tried to model my game after, just being into the position.”

Ramsey, arguably the best cover corner in the game today, is a seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro.

Tampa is aiming very high, and that conveys just how much ambition he has.

Ravens director of college scouting David Blackburn breaks down CB T.J. Tampa’s skillset

The Baltimore Ravens made several value picks in the 2024 NFL Draft with the best example being cornerback T.J. Tampa. The Iowa State defensive back was selected with the No. 130 overall pick in the fourth round by the Ravens, 75 picks later than …

Baltimore director of college scouting David Blackburn explained what stood out about Tampa following the draft.

“[T.J. Tampa’s] athleticism at his size [stands out],” Blackburn said. “He’s long. He can flip his hips. He can change directions well. [He’s a] former wideout, so I think there is some built-in upside to him, as a player. He just kind of plays the game smoothly; he doesn’t look too stressed. He tackles well. He’s a guy that’s going to compete. He’ll run down on kicks and be a special teams guy for us. [He’s got] good makeup, good mentality. [He’s] a smart football player. They speak highly of him at [Iowa State]. So, again, any time you have [well]-sized corner, you’re always intrigued, but I think he’s got the necessary movement skills at that size, along with his length, to give us something as a coverage player and then also be able to support the run.”

Tampa was the second cornerback taken by the Ravens in the 2024 draft after selecting Clemson’s Nate Wiggins with the No. 30 overall pick in the first round.

Eric DeCosta talks about T.J. Tampa’s slide to the fourth round

The Baltimore Ravens made several value picks in the 2024 NFL Draft when using consensus big boards as a comparison. One of those picks was Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa with the No. 130 overall pick in the fourth round when many expected him to come off the board as early as the second round. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta was asked his thoughts on why Tampa fell so far in the draft.

“I can’t speak to other teams,” DeCosta said. “We really liked [T.J. Tampa], and honestly, we’ve doubled up on positions before – probably four or five times – and it’s worked out well for us. Honestly, we would have taken him a lot higher had we not taken Nate [Wiggins in the first round], I would have to say. So, he didn’t necessarily have a great 40 [-yard dash] time. He had a Big 12 Pro Day, and he did not run at the Combine, so that might have hurt him a little bit, but for us, we see the length, we see the size, we see the leaping ability [and] his ability to play the football. He’s a tough guy. He tackles well. We’re excited. We think he’s going to have a chip on his shoulder and play well.”

Tampa was the second cornerback selected by Baltimore in the draft after taking Clemson’s Nate Wiggins with the No. 30 overall pick in the first round.

Eric DeCosta talks about exceptional value from Ravens 2024 draft class

The Baltimore Ravens were able to draft a number of players much later than many expected them to come off the board during the 2024 NFL Draft. The Ravens selected cornerback, Nate Wiggins, outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, wide receiver Devontez Walker, and cornerback T.J. Tampa later than their position on the consensus big board put together by Wide Left Football’s Arif Hasan.

Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta was asked if he felt the Ravens got exceptional value with their 2024 draft class.

“I do. I think that this was one year that the board – you’ll often hear me say, ‘Oh man, we had a chance; we missed out on some guys,’ but this year, we were patient,” DeCosta said. “And the board – more often than not, not in every single case – but the best player was at a position of need. So, we basically started just checking off boxes, working our way down through each pick. We were basically able to just cross them off, cross them off, cross them off with a really good player. So, from that standpoint, I think it was good. It was really good. I think the coaches and the scouts – we did a good job communicating. One of the things that we have is a dialogue throughout the Draft – this guy or that guy, what do we think and how does this guy fit? You might have two players at different positions, and they’re graded the same. And, you’re trying to figure out, how do you split hairs between these two players, and you do it with talking to your coaches. You do it looking at the analytics, but you also do it looking at the players that you might get in the next round or moving back. And what does that pool of players look like at those positions? This year, I think it worked out really well.”

Baltimore needs their rookie class to contribute early on after losing several quality players to free agency this offseason.

How did the Ravens do in draft value relative to the 2024 consensus board?

The Ravens selected nine players in the 2024 NFL draft, with Eric DeCosta getting great value from four of his first six picks. Value is an integral part of the draft process. Understanding the board is vital to judging how teams maximized value …

The Ravens selected nine players in the 2024 NFL draft, with Eric DeCosta getting great value from four of his first six picks.

Value is an integral part of the draft process. Understanding the board is vital to judging how teams maximized value during the draft.

Establishing actual “value” on NFL draft prospects is incredibly difficult, with all 32 NFL teams having different schemes, cultures, and ideas of what elite talent looks like.

Arif Hasan of Wide Left Football creates the go-to consensus board, ranking the top 300 players in the draft class based on 101 big boards from draft analysts. As Hasan noted, “the consensus of these experts does a better predictive job than individual experts.”

With the draft now final, here are Baltimore’s picks, consensus rank, pick number, and the difference between the two.

Consensus rank: 24

Pick number: 30

Difference: +6

Consensus rank: 75

Pick number: 62

Difference: -13

Consensus rank: 66

Pick number: 93

Difference: +27

Consensus rank: 82

Pick number: 113

Difference: +31

Consensus rank: 55

Pick number: 130

Difference: +75

Ravens select Iowa State CB T.J. Tampa with pick No. 130 overall in 2024 NFL draft

The Ravens have added multiple cornerbacks in the NFL draft after selecting Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa with pick No. 130 overall.

Mel Kiper Jr. called this “one of the steals of the draft,” Tampa is already familiar with Nate Wiggins after they were roommates at the NFL scouting combine.

.@Tamp1A on staying loyal to @CycloneFB pic.twitter.com/6Z65wUyHrp

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 27, 2024

Tampa was the sixth-ranked cornerback on Kiper’s final rankings and was the 38th-best prospect overall.

Tampa and Wiggins bring speed, depth, and athleticism to a secondary, with Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, and Arthur Maulet as the top cornerbacks on the depth chart. Last season, Tampa allowed one touchdown on nearly 400 coverage snaps, and he exits Iowa State with 24 career pass breakups.

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.

#IowaState DB T.J. Tampa has excellent size, physicality and his closing speed on routes is apparent on tape and allows him to undercut routes.

Turns and finds the football in air on vertical routes and if he’s in trail position, has awareness to play through receiver’s hands. pic.twitter.com/0c6rZAYY2p

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) October 12, 2023

“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.

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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: