2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

by Cory J. Bonini on March 19, 2013 @ 16:57:12 PDT

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Washington cornerback Desmond Trufant has experience and NFL ties working in his favor to be among the top defensive backs chosen in the 2013 NFL Draft.

In 2012, the senior notched 31 tackles, caught one interception, forced a fumble and logged eight pass breakups in less than 10 full games played.

NFL-ready talent

Strengths

Good size at 6-foot, 190 pounds
NFL bloodlines (brother of Marcus Trufant)
Excellent short-area quickness
Contests for the ball with regularity - challenges in jump-ball situations (37 1/2-inch vertical)
Quality top-end speed (4.38-second 40 time)
Four-year starter (47 games, 45 consecutive)
Has experience in press-man and zone coverage
Plays inside and outside cornerback positions
Balanced with good hip sync when he changes direction
Understands how to bait quarterbacks into throwing in his direction
NFL-caliber recognition and leadership skills

Weaknesses

Lean build that could be exploited by stronger receivers
Small hands (8 5/8 inches) and average arm length (31 1/4 inches)
Often relies too much on natural athleticism
In need of technique refinement
Needs to become more consistent as a tackler - gets too high into the ball carrier's pads
Dealt with a minor but nagging hamstring strain in 2012

Expected draft placement

Trufant is a surefire first-round selection and could go as high as No. 12 to the Miami Dolphins. Other teams that should consider him: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 12), New Orleans Saints (No. 13), Chicago Bears (No. 20), Indianapolis Colts (No. 24), Green Bay Packers (No. 26) and Atlanta Falcons (No. 30).

About Cory J. Bonini

Cory is KFFL's General Manager. In late 2002, he joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, Bonini has been featured in print, on radio and on scores of websites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors. Follow @CoryKFFL