Leon McFadden – San Diego State

Height: 5095

Weight: 193

Age when drafted: 23

Hometown: Inglewood, CA

Position: CB

Collegiate Number: 2

Combine notables: 4.54 40 with 1.53 split, 34.5” vertical, 9’11” broad, 6.81 3-cone, 4.27 short shuttle

Games Viewed: 2012 – San Jose State, BYU, Boise State 2011 – TCU

BACKGROUND:

Leon McFadden played his high school ball at St. John Bosco Prep in Inglewood, California.

Leon committed to San Diego State over schools like BYU, Washington, and Utah State due to a promise to play wide receiver. McFadden was moved to the defensive backfield after a rash of injuries. McFadden never looked back as he played in 12 games that season. McFadden would go on to earn All-Mountain West honors the next three seasons, including First-Team All-Mountain West as a senior.

Athletics comes natural to Leon as his father played professional baseball for the Houston Astros organization.

SIZE/ ATHLETICISM/STRENGTH:

Leon McFadden isn’t a guy that is going to overwhelm with his measurables. He checked into the Combine under 5-foot-10, which is considered short by today’s standards. He did measure in at a solid 193 pounds.

McFadden is a good overall athlete despite not registering eye-popping numbers in Indianapolis. He has quick feet and fluid hips. Fluid back pedal with man-to-man cover skills.

McFadden isn’t a great tackler or overly physical in press coverage. His 10 bench reps at the Combine were indicative of his level of physicality on the field. He’s a guy that will get in the way but isn’t going to be a major factor in run support or in press man coverage.

MAN COVERAGE:

McFadden was strong in man coverage. Used primarily as the field corner at SDSU and played a whole host of coverages. His versatility will intrigue scouts. Excelled in man-to-man coverage as he can flip his hips and run with quicker slot receivers and bigger outside receivers. Natural ball instincts, excels with the ball in the air. Press technique was solid but lacked strength to carry through. He will struggle playing bigger receivers in jump ball situations. From a technical standpoint, McFadden is one of the cleaner cornerback prospects in the draft.

ZONE COVERAGE:

Instincts in zone coverage will have heavy zone teams salivating. I think his best skill set aligns with zone coverages at the next level as a slot or field corner. Excelled playing the ball in front of him with excellent eyes and freelances in the soft spots as well as any corner in the draft. Several occasions that McFadden looked every bit the part of a seasoned zone corner, passing receivers off and reading pattern combinations with excellent eyes.

TACKLING:

McFadden is an effort tackler that isn’t going to excel vs. the run at the next level. He will stick his nose into the fray but isn’t strong enough to fight through blocks. Tackling technique in the open field leaves a bit to be desired. He drops his head and missed several tackles. That said, he doesn’t shy away from contact and offers enough as a tackler to be effective at the next level.

RED FLAGS:

None. Academic standout at SDSU that started for three and a half seasons.

OVERALL:

Leon McFadden is one of the more underrated corners in the draft. He’s a versatile prospect that has the goods to play the field corner spot or as a nickel corner. That versatility should have teams calling his name on the second day. McFadden is a player that could compete early on the inside or outside because he’s NFL ready in terms of technique and drew rave reviews for his film study of opponents.

McFadden carries a high second round grade for us. I think the depth of the corner class in the 2nd-3rd range will have him slipping into the third round.

VIDEO LINKS: BYU, Boise State