J. Lewis Question

Submitted by Worthing on

Wondering if someone with a little more knowledge than I could possibly enlighten me and others on Lewis' draft potential (this year or next). I believe he has the skill to play in the NFL but I'm not sure I've seen a corner that small, specificaly weight wise. I did a little research on corners drafted in past few years and for reference Jourdan Lewis is listed at 5'10 176 on mgoblue.com. Obviously, the potential is there to add more weight but as a junior I'm not sure how likely that is. 

2015: 25 corners drafted, 1 under 180 lbs- Senquez Golson (5'9, 176 Round 2 pick 24)

2014: 35 corners drafted, 1 under 180 lbs- Aaron Colvin (5'11, 177 Round 4 pick 14)

2013: 30 corners drafted, 0 under 180 lbs

 

Edit: in light of seeing this today 

  1. PFF College Retweeted Jeff Risdon

    RE: Jourdan Lewis, 8 PDs to lead the nation

    PFF College added,

    Jeff Risdon @JeffRisdon
    @PFF_College how many PDs?
    24 retweets13 favorites
  2.  

    When targeting Michigan CB Jourdan Lewis, opposing QBs have a completion % of 23.1% and NFL passer rating of 36.4

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LSAClassOf2000

October 6th, 2015 at 10:39 PM ^

In one of my summertime meanderings that turned into a diary, it turns out that a great majority of defensive backs in general get drafted in the 3rd to 5th round, with a small percentage going in the second round. If history across teams is any indicator, if Jourdan Lewis gets a good look and continues to do Jourdan Lewis things, that is where he may very well fall. 

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BrownJuggernaut

October 6th, 2015 at 8:15 PM ^

Going through a few NFL CBs:

Malcolm Butler 5-11 190

Joe Haden 5-11 195

Leon Hall 5-11 195

Chris Harris 5-10 199

Casey Hayward 5-11 192

Janoris Jenkins 5-10 198

Keep in mind, that players can add a lot of weight once they go pro because they're getting better nutrition that they can actually afford and are working out more. Jourdan is comparatively light to these guys, but obviously, he's not a pro yet.

I guess I have to add a "I hope he stays" even though as a Michigan fan, I think that's implied. I do think it's a little early to talk about guys leaving too. Just playing along with the thread though.

Joined: 10/02/2010

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Stringer Bell

October 6th, 2015 at 8:31 PM ^

I've never understood the NFL's fascination with physical traits.  It's because of that fascination that you wind up with guys like Stafford getting taken 1st overall while short guys like Brees and Wilson fall out of the first round.  If I were a GM I'd value the skills and mental aspect far more than the physical part, but then again what do I know?

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Stringer Bell

October 6th, 2015 at 10:10 PM ^

I'm not even just talking about height for QBs, but also like arm strength.  Seems like teams are infatuated with strong armed QBs regardless of whether they have it upstairs or not, and if they don't they rarely become anything more than average.  Less physically gifted players who have great football intelligence and instincts end up being good players more often than not

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Michigan4Life

October 7th, 2015 at 10:51 PM ^

in the NFL. There are a lot of smart QBs with weak arms couldn't hack it in the NFL because the windows to make a pass is 100x time smaller than in college.

The only player that is the exception to the rule is Chad Pennington. Drew Brees has above average arm strength, but has anticipation and timing to make it work.

Look at Peyton Manning this season. He sucks because he has zero arm strength even with his mind at its sharpest.

You don't need a howitzer of an arm, but drafting QBs with weak arms won't do you good.

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UMForLife

October 6th, 2015 at 8:52 PM ^

I will not be surprised if Lewis is drafted in the top few rounds. With the way he is playing, he is a great asset to a team that plays man coverage, as stated by some above. I am forgetting this small corner's name. He used to work against Roddy White, when Roddy White was faster and better. It was a fun matchup to watch. That corner will get under Roddy's skin. Anyway, I think Lewis will be a great player in NFL, if he can continue with what he is doing right now.

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harmon98

October 6th, 2015 at 9:10 PM ^

Antione WInfield is a pretty similar comparison: went 5'9". Second best player on the field in the 1997 Michigan OSU game. 15 year NFL career.

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EGD

October 7th, 2015 at 12:03 AM ^

Winfield was an outstanding player but Lewis doesn't really remind me of him. Winfield was an extremely physical guy--the sort of player who might record 10 tackles in a game from the CB position. But I don't remember him having the lockdown coverage skills Lewis has.

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WiscWolverine

October 6th, 2015 at 9:28 PM ^

I think Lewis stays another year to bulk up, work on his game and see how good the team can be in year 2 of Harbaugh, after that I think he's a 1st or 2nd rounder no doubt.

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PopeLando

October 6th, 2015 at 9:47 PM ^

Lucky for us, Lewis is playing amazing football right now. If he has a shot at the top 3 rounds, there's no reason not to bolt. And he'll have earned it. But he'd have to continue playing out-of-this-world good, or grab a bunch of interceptions. I think the former is more likely than the latter, given that teams don't really test him.

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nowicki2005

October 6th, 2015 at 10:07 PM ^

The one thing about Jourdan Lewis that hurts him is he doesn't get a lot of interceptions. When you're that small, you want the guy to be a ballhawk. I've been surprised he doesn't get more interceptions seeing as how he was such a good receiver in high school. 

I think the perfect comparisong for Lewis is Jayron Hosley. They are the exact same size and will probably be drafted in about the same round. 

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A State Fan

October 6th, 2015 at 10:26 PM ^

I always compare to MSU guys, so look at him vs Dennard from two years ago. I think he's 1 inch shorter and about 20lbs lighter. Probably a little better in coverage (MSU system had Dennard only doing a couple coverages I think). Dennard was stronger. Dennard ended up being a 1st round pick. Now Dennard is the nickel back for the Bengals in year 2. I think it's totally reasonable for Lewis to follow that same path. but he's not getting tons of hype, so maybe 2nd or 3rd round this year is a good projection.

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getsome

October 7th, 2015 at 5:22 AM ^

kevin johnson from wake and brandon boykin from uga immediately come to mind though i know theres others.  kevin white from tcu, the texas cb from several yrs ago and some others were most likely right around 180 lbs or maybe less.  

if hes good enough to fill a role someone will sign him.  and lewis is a pro level athlete, no doubt.  antoine winfield is kind of a tough comparison since hes thorpe winner and proven pro bowler but he was around the same size.

size will limit his role a bit and impact his draft prospects but im guessing hell be on multiple boards next year.  if lewis were 6'0" 195 im sure hed already be getting pub as a legit early entry

 

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