Eli Ricks 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

• Selected to SEC All-Freshman team in 2020

• Named to All-SEC Second Team in 2020
• LSU Transfer

System: 

• Scheme tendencies: Scheme versatile
• 2022 projected role: Starting outside corner

Pros: Eli Ricks is a true outside corner that checks the boxes for the height and length that you look for in a starting corner, but his best trait may be his natural instincts at the position. Ricks has a knack for finding the football and has made plenty of quarterbacks pay the price for trying to complete a pass his way. Ricks appears to have an in-depth understanding of route concepts and is willing to leave one route to jump another route and potentially intercept the ball. These instincts make Ricks a playmaker at the corner position, and he does what the best defenders manage to do and that’s getting the ball back to his offense. Look for RIcks to have a productive year as he should be a true playmaker for this Tide defense. 

Cons: Eli Ricks’ deficiency appears to just simply be his speed. Ricks appears to have adequate speed to play the position but there is a question of how fast he is when comparing him to the elite athletes that usually play the position. With this being said, Ricks is best suited as a zone corner where he can see everything and keep everything in front of him. Playing zone will allow him to use instincts and be more of a calculated risk-taker to make those game-changing plays he’s capable of making. Although he may not be a naturally fast player, I believe that his instincts at the position make up for a lot of those concerns.

Eli Ricks NFL Draft Scouting Report by Keith Sanchez