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NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan

Michigan's instinctive Cornerback Jourdan Lewis is profiled and evaluated for the 2017 NFL Draft.

Jourdan Lewis - Michigan Wolverines

Position: Cornerback
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 188
Year: Senior
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Experience: Sr. - 3 year starter

Measurables:

40yd dash: 4.54 seconds
Broad jump: 121.0 inches
Vertical: 34.5 inches
3-cone: NA
20yd. Shuttle: NA
Bench Press: 15 reps

Career Notes:

Lewis committed to the University of Michigan as a 4 star recruit out of Detroit, Michigan. He played in 8 games as a Freshman, and was a contributor in sub packages and on special teams. He had 17 tackles and two pass breakups. He tallied 5 tackles in games against Indiana and Akron. Lewis became a starter three games into his Sophomore year, and recorded 39 tackles and two interceptions.

As a Junior, Lewis started all 13 games. He had 52 tackles, two interceptions and 20 pass breakups. He also handled the kickoff return duties and averaged 25.2 yards per kickoff return. He started the season off against some tougher non-conference opponents, and got off to a strong start to the against them. During the Big Ten season, he started to garner some national attention as a shutdown Cornerback. Against Michigan State, Lewis shadowed WR Aaron Burbridge (now on the San Francisco 49ers), and held him to nine yards receiving on one catch. Against Northwestern he read an out route, ripped the ball out of the receivers hands, and returned it for a touchdown.

Lewis earned All-American honors in his Senior season despite missing the first three games of the season. He was a Jim Thorpe finalist and the winner of the Big Ten Conference Defensive Back of the Year after recording 25 tackles, 3.5 for loss, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups. He partnered with fellow 2017 draft prospects Jabrill Peppers and Channing Stribling to lead one of the top secondaries in the country. While he wasn’t recruited by Jim Harbaugh, Lewis was a major factor in Michigan’s return to national relevance. His Senior season highlight came on an off balance, leaping, one-handed interception to seal the game against Wisconsin.

 

Injury Report: 

Lewis had a back injury leading up to the start of his Senior season. As he was recovering from the back injury, Lewis ended up with a leg injury. In total, he missed three games to start the season.

 

Career Stats(click here):

 

Analysis:

Man Coverage: 4.0/5.0  Despite his lack of size, Lewis has the ability to jam receivers in man coverage. He played at the line of scrimmage on most passing downs, and did not show any fear of getting beat over the top of coverage. He turns and finds the ball, and has the athleticism and ball skills to deflect and intercept passes. He had 8 pass interference calls during his career, and there was a tendency to get very physical and grab when he was beaten. He occasionally will get caught peeking in the backfield, and may not have the straight line speed to make up for his lack of height against taller receivers.

Zone Coverage: 3.7/5.0 Lewis is instinctive and reacts quickly when the ball is thrown. There are times when he drops too deep, and doesn’t give himself the opportunity to make a play on the ball. In the bowl game against Florida State, Lewis and his teammate failed to communicate coverages, which led to a 90 yard touchdown pass. When playing in the slot, Michigan was mostly in man coverage, so it was difficult to evaluate his ability to play zone as a slot corner in the NFL.

Against the Run: 3.3/5.0   He has a willingness to contribute in the run game, and tape shows he is a fundamentally sound tackler. His small frame will make it very difficult to get off of bigger blocking WRs. He is instinctive and decisive, and will come up and strike the ball carrier, rather than waiting for them. While he often got overpowered and engulfed by Tight Ends and pulling Guards, he gave the effort to try to at least occupy the blocker.

Speed/Quickness: 3.0/5.0  Lewis has much better acceleration than straight line speed. A 4.54 40 yard dash is not ideal for a NFL outside corner, but he showed enough on tape and in drills at the Combine to be an effective slot CB. He demonstrates suddenness with the ball in his hands. Showed hip fluidness in games and in drills. Has a great backpedal, and flips his hips quickly.

Impact Play Ability:4.2/5.0 He didn’t have huge interceptions numbers, but opposing offenses usually threw to the opposite side of the field. The interceptions he did have were the result of jarring the ball from receivers hands, and not from gambling. This means he will create turnovers without giving up a lot of plays the other way.

Summary: Jourdan Lewis is an instinctive and passionate football player. He will bring an edge to a defense that helps make him and his teammates better. He will have to use that to make up for his diminutive frame, and relatively slow 40 time. Lewis looks like he could be an instinctive slot CB in the NFL, and also an immediate contributor on special teams.

Overall Grade: 3.64/5.0  

 

If Drafted by the Packers:

Jourdan Lewis is a smaller Cornerback, who uses his intelligence, anticipation, and passion to make an impact on the passing game. He would likely fill in as a slot corner early in his career. With Micah Hyde leaving via free agency, Lewis would be a good fit to step in and cover slot receiver. Lewis has the willingness and ability to play against the run, and would help against smaller and quicker receivers that gave Packers problems during 2016. Lewis has a similar build and skillset to former Packer Casey Hayward. He will likely be an options in the 2nd-3rd round, and would be able to compete for playing time immediately. He also has experience as both a gunner and a return man on special teams.

 

Video:

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Comments (2)

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Rossonero's picture

March 26, 2017 at 10:02 am

I like him and could see him being available at the end of the second round. Just depends on how the Packers think he could fit in. Considering that Harbaugh coached him the past 2 years, I think the Packers should take a hard look at him.

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al bundy's picture

March 27, 2017 at 09:07 pm

To small​ to slow. As an m fan i remember him having problems with tall receivers and many times he was out of position. Over hyped. Maybe a third rounder as backup.

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