A contingent from the Jaguars scouting department spent part of their day on Wednesday visiting the University of Miami for their Pro Day. There they were able to see some highly touted prospects including quarterback Brad Kaaya, who is expected to be a day two selection, and tight end David Njoku who could be off the board by the time the first round ends. While those two highlight the big time names that "The U" is sending into the NFL ranks this year the Jaguars seem to have their eyes set on a prospect who is beginning to create some buzz in the scouting community. Corn Elder (yes, his first name is Corn) is a 5'10'', 183 lb. cornerback who has received praise from several impressive sources, including the Jaguars own Jalen Ramsey.
Mike Kaye of First Coast News caught up with Ramsey to talk about the diminutive cornerback from Miami. Ramsey had this to say about Elder: "I knew he would [do well]" . . . "He is easily the most competitive person I've played with and against in my life."
Jalen Ramsey is clearly a fan of Elder, but he isn't the only Jaguar showing interest. The Jaguars not only showed interest in Elder yesterday, but they also interviewed the fiesty cornerback at the NFL Combine earlier this month.
Some scouts and draft analysts believe that Elder could go as early as the third round, but his tape says he is one of the best cornerbacks in the draft. Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell regularly makes sure to point out that tape is the number one factor in scouting, so it's no surprise that the Jaguars are interested in the undersized, but very productive cornerback from Miami. He plays with the same aggression and confidence that Jalen Ramsey regularly shows on Sundays, but at only 5'10'' and 183 lbs. Elder will always be fighting the "small cornerback" stigma and for that reason he has been pigeon holed by some as "just" a nickel cornerback. Once again, his tape would suggest otherwise. Another surprising asset that Elder possesses is willingness to get dirty in run defense and stick his nose into some tough situations.
With supreme confidence and what appears to be elite speed after running at 4.4 second 40 yard dash at his Pro Day Elder is an intriguing prospect. Against the Noles he showed off that elite speed when he chased down a streaking Dalvin Cook from behind. It's not hard to see what the Jaguars and Ramsey like about Elder either - in another play against FSU in 2016 he made an eerily reminiscent play to Jalen Ramsey's should have been game winning tipped pass against the Ravens last season. Check it out at the 2:30 mark in the video above.
The Jaguars clearly have interest in Corn Elder, but where would he fit in with the team? If the Jaguars do end up selecting him in this years draft it would likely be in the third or fourth round. As the Jaguars cornerback group currently stands Elder would probably be the fourth outside cornerback and second string nickel cornerback. Elder also shows elite special teams ability as a gunner, which has been an emphasis for the Jaguars this offseason when signing players. The Jaguars current starter at nickel, Aaron Colvin, is set to become a free agent after the 2017 season - so the Jaguars could be planning for Colvin's departure if they do indeed target Elder in the draft. Stay tuned for more! Follow Jordan de Lugo on Twitter @JordandeLugo
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