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The entire league is looking to add giant cornerbacks in the mold of Seattle's Legion of Boom. However, talents like those are few and far between. While everyone wants a cornerback with size, most are converted wide receivers with no hands or the unwillingness to tackle or even worse, terrible hips. That is why finding the "right" big cornerback is the key.
Chip Kelly and Billy Davis are "size guys" and appreciate bigger players. However, they are also fans of players that do their job, are coachable and have talent. Fans get blown away with measurements and the bigger the better, but size is not everything when it comes to the NFL. Although, Nebraska's Stanley Jean-Baptiste has proven he is more than just a big guy that covers wide receivers.
College Career
Jean-Baptiste was talented wide receiver at Miami Central High School. He started his college level athletics at Fort Scott Community College in order to likely get his grades up as he redshirted in his first season. After just one year at Fort Scott (with no playing time), Jean-Baptiste committed to Nebraska. As a redshirt freshmen, Jean-Baptiste did not see the field, despite being active as a wide receiver. However, he did receive notoriety on the Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll in his first year with Nebraska.
In his sophomore season, Jean-Baptiste started as a wide receiver but was converted to cornerback midseason. Appearing in nine games (with one start), SJB had nine tackles, a pass breakup and an interception. In his first full year at cornerback as a junior, Jean-Baptiste played in 14 games (starting five) and collected 24 tackles, nine pass breakups and two interceptions.
Jean-Baptiste excelled as a senior, garnering second-team All-Big Ten honors. He finished the season with 41 tackles (four for loss), a sack, 12 pass breakups and four interceptions. He was invited to the Senior Bowl after his impresses year at Nebraska.
The Senior Bowl allowed for Jean-Baptiste to show off his coverage skills. He reportedly had a solid week of practice. He also had four tackles and a pass breakup in the game.
Strengths
Jean-Baptiste has solid hands that date back to his days of playing wide receiver. He understands routes and has good timing on when to jump them. At 6-foot-2 3/8 and 215 pounds, Jean-Baptiste looks like a linebacker but has the speed to play cornerback. He has long arms and is very good at playing the ball like a wide receiver. He has pretty good hips for a taller cornerback which allows him to change direction well.
He has the ability to make plays and is good at trusting his instincts. He was used on corner blitzes as well and looks comfortable being sent after the quarterback. He can play in press or off in man coverage.
Weaknesses
Jean-Baptiste is not a good tackler. He needs to work on his fundamentals in that department but that is coachable. He seems to still be learning the position and needs a bit of fine tuning. He is a bit hesitant in run defense which opens him up to taking bad angles in pursuit.
Eagles Outlook
Size is obviously the selling point here, but the Eagles do need better depth and potential future starters at the position. A likely Day 2 selection, SJB can play early but will likely need to be taught a bit before seeing heavy snaps. He is one of athletes at his size for the position so he is appealing, it is really just a matter of how early the Eagles would want to him and if he will be there when they want to select him. He also seems like a pretty high-character kid and the fanbase will likely love him.
Trust Your Own Eyes
