Tag: Troy Pride Jr

Report: Saints release veteran cornerback Troy Pride Jr.

Report: Saints release veteran cornerback Troy Pride Jr., former Panthers draft pick

The New Orleans Saints are continuing to thin out their secondary ahead of NFL roster cuts by releasing veteran cornerback Troy Pride Jr., per TheScore’s Jordan Schultz. Pride was a former mid-round draft pick by the Carolina Panthers whose career was derailed by an injury. He could be a smart pick to keep on the practice squad, but it sounds like Pride is looking for opportunities to play on Sundays.

Every cornerback outside the top four players faced an uphill battle this summer in competing for roster spots. Having established starters in way like Marshon Lattimore, Bradley Roby, Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor makes for a really tough blockade to get through. The Saints do like to stock up on defensive backs, though, so we should expect some of their roster cuts to stay in town and sign with the practice squad later this week.

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Report: Saints sign former Panthers CB Troy Pride Jr. to reserve/future deal

Report: Saints sign former Panthers fourth round draft pick Troy Pride Jr. to reserve/future deal, adding more depth to the secondary

This is interesting: the New Orleans Saints signed former Carolina Panthers cornerback Troy Pride Jr. to a reserve/future contract, per the Score’s Jordan Schultz. Pride was a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft who dealt with a series of injuries early in his career, but now he’s back in football and looking to compete for a job over the summer.

Good for him. The Saints have taken flyers on players in similar circumstances recently like safety Justin Evans, who ended up on the field in some critical situations for them in 2022. If Pride’s body can hold up, he has the physical tools to be an asset in black and gold. He timed the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds flat at 5-foot-11 1/2 and 193 pounds, but we’ll see whether he’s retained that athleticism after a serious knee injury ended his Panthers career.

New Orleans enters the 2023 offseason running deep in the secondary. Marshon Lattimore, Bradley Roby, Alontae Taylor, and Paulson Adebo are all returning at cornerback, as is practice squad corner Vincent Gray, with free agents like Chris Harris Jr. and Isaac Yiadom hoping to be re-signed. Competition for that fifth spot on the depth chart will be something to watch.

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Panthers cornerbacks depth chart in flux vs. Saints

The Carolina Panthers are short-handed at cornerback against the New Orleans Saints, They might have to start Eli Apple, who is questionable

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The New Orleans Saints might not have Michael Thomas back at wide receiver in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers, but it could end up not mattering. The Panthers cornerbacks situation is in a rough state, setting up Saints wideouts Emmanuel Sanders and Tre’Quan Smith for another big day at the office.

On Friday, the Panthers placed starting corner Rasul Douglas on the COVID-19 reserve list after he missed Thursday’s practice session for non-injury reasons. This will keep Douglas out of action for Sunday’s kickoff, which is a problem: he leads Carolina’s cornerbacks in defensive snaps played (369).

Additionally, both Eli Apple and Donte Jackson are questionable to play with hamstring and knee injuries. Apple still hasn’t taken a snap on defense after getting hurt and missing time. Jackson has only been in on 185 plays on defense this year. Troy Pride Jr. (212 snaps) and Corn Elder (146) are the only other Panthers corners to even get on the field through six weeks.

That makes for a young, inexperienced group that the Saints know how to beat. Sanders went into the bye week after posting one of his best-ever stat lines in the NFL. Smith has been working against Apple in practice for years when they were teammates in New Orleans. It’s a favorable matchup any way you slice it; let’s see if the Saints can take advantage of that.

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Irish have 6 players on Senior Bowl Top 250

There could be up to six Notre Dame Football seniors who could play in this years version of the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

The Reese’s Senior Bowl has been a great sendoff for collegiate seniors since 1950, giving them once more opportunity to impress the NFL scouts as the finish off their eligibility. This year six Notre Dame players made their top 250 list, which were: offensive linemen Tommy Kramer, Liam Eichenberg and Robert Hainsey, quarterback Ian Book, and defensive linemen Daelin Hayes and Ade Ogundeji.

This game has been a spring board for some great prospects, as their alumni consists of Cowboys quarterback Dan Prescott and New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. The Irish have had one MVP of the Senior Bowl, coming all the way back in 1959 when running back Norm Odyniec shared the title with Georgia full back Theron Sapp.

All six of the Notre Dame players on their top 250 list have a great shot at making the All-Star game. Last year Chase Claypool impressed many while Troy Pride Jr., Alohi Gilman and Jalen Elliott each made their marks during the week. Hopefully they all get their chance to shine one more time wearing the Blue and Gold.

Best CBs for the Ravens in each round of the 2020 NFL Draft

A cornerback for the Ravens to consider in each round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Baltimore Ravens benefitted from great cornerback play in 2019. Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey both earned All-Pro nods and Jimmy Smith came back from a knee injury to bolster the group down the stretch. But this doesn’t mean the team won’t keep looking to improve their secondary, especially with how pass-heavy teams are in this era.

Baltimore needs more depth after declining Brandon Carr’s 2020 option. While the Ravens re-signed Smith, it was on a one-year contract. And when added in with Tavon Young missing all of last season due to a neck injury, the lack of depth behind that great starting group could seriously hurt Baltimore’s goal of a Super Bowl this season.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the best cornerback options for the Ravens in each round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

1st Round – Trevon Diggs, Alabama

The Ravens have a long history of selecting players who spent their college careers with the Crimson Tide. They’ve taken 11 players from Alabama in their history, with four players taken between 2017 and 2018, including a first-round pick on Humprey back in 2017. If they want to use their first selection on a corner in 2020, then Diggs could be a possible target.

The younger brother of Bills wide receiver Stefon, Diggs earned Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2019, thanks to his 11 passes defended and three interceptions. Diggs has the prototypical length for the position. He primarily played outside in college, although he did spend some time in the slot. Diggs could also be an asset on special teams, after averaging 9.2 yards per punt return and 23.8 yards on kick-off returns.

Diggs is far from the finished product, but if given the chance to come in and learn his craft rather than being forced to be the alpha from Day 1, he could develop into a solid NFL cornerback.

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2020 NFL draft: Troy Pride, Jr. scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Notre Dame cornerback prospect Troy Pride, Jr.

Troy Pride, Jr. | CB | Notre Dame

Elevator Pitch

Pride is a speedster on the outside. His speed allows him to cover a lot of ground. Projects as a backup at first with plenty of room to grow into an eventual starter. Does his best work when asked to play off man or in trail technique.

Vitals

Height | 5-11

Weight | 193

Class | Senior

College Stats

College Bio

Strengths

Pride does a good job of closing on ball carriers with his top level speed. Click and close is on full display. Has speed to keep up with vertical route runners. What he lacks in length, Pride makes up for with his quickness and footwork. Has the agility to play either outside or nickel cornerback.

Has good football instincts, reads the quarterback well when playing in zone coverage. Can limit a receivers production with his technique. Does well in off man coverage but can also press at the line. He could do a better job at re-routing the receiver but there are definitely flashes of the good here. Defensive backs coach should only help his development there.

Teams that like a competitive cornerback will love Pride. He is like a bulldog on the field with his demeanor. Likely a guy who will get under the skin of receivers and force them out of their game. Despite a lack of ball skills, did a good job of breaking up passes with 18 passes defended in three seasons.

Weaknesses

Pride wasn’t a true ballhawk at the position during his time with the Fighting Irish. Only a handful of interceptions to show for it. He created just five turnover opportunities in four seasons. He has a habit of being grabby downfield that could draw the attention of referees at the NFL level. Will need to focus on technique to limit the number of flags thrown in his direction.

Pride will need to do a better job of closing on receivers in the NFL, he doesn’t contest well enough on the jump ball. He does lack the length that some defensive coaches desire so he needs to win on athleticism when climbing the ladder at the catch point. The physical part of his game is concerning, doesn’t provide much in run support.

Projection: 3rd-4th Round

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