Atlanta Falcons: Grades For Final Two Picks, Overall Grade
The Atlanta Falcons used their last two picks of the 2019 NFL Draft to add critical depth to two spots. The shored up the cornerback spot by drafting cornerback Jordan Miller and kick returner Marcus Green. I grade those picks and the entire 2019 NFL Draft.
Round 5 PIck 34 (172 Overall)
Jordan Miller: Cornerback – Washington
height:6’1 weight:186 40 time:4.49
Atlanta Falcons fifth round pick Jordan Miller is a former track star who was born in Oceanside, California. He played in every game as a reserve for the university of Washington as a freshman and sophomore, recording two combined interceptions. He earned a starting gig his junior season and broke up four passes and picked off two passes in just seven games of action. Unfortunately for Miller he suffered a broken ankle, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. Jordan Miller returned to start 12 games as a senior.
Best Season:
2018: Tackles:26 Tfl:2 Int:2 PD:6 FF:2
Check out the initial reaction that Jordan Miller had when being drafted by Atlanta, brought to you by the Atlanta Falcons YouTube channel:
Pro Football Focus has Jordan Miller being targeted 32 times in 2018, while allowing 227 yards and three touchdowns. He allowed a catch percentage of 62.5 and a passer rating of 88.9 when being targeted. In the advanced stats, Miller ranked number 27 in the nation in yards allowed per coverage snap and number 28 in coverage snaps per reception allowed. Jordan had his best season grade wise in 2017 before the injury. He posted an overall grade of 82.1, a coverage grade of 82.4 and a run defense grade of 71.9, in seven games as a junior.
Pro Football Focus Grades 2018:
Overall:70.7 Coverage:71.9 Run Defense:64.5
Strengths:
They say the hips don’t lie and Jordan Miller has loose hips, that allow him to turn and run with wide receivers effortlessly. He has good speed and length and is in his element when pressing his opponents. He has good leaping ability and timing when competing for jump balls. Miller also has good awareness when playing zone defense.
The Atlanta Falcons provided the following Jordan Miller college highlights on their YouTube channel:
Weaknesses
Jordan Miller lacks strength and can be bullied by big wide receivers. It is mandatory that he gets stronger. The fact that Jordan missed 11 tackles last year is concerning. Don’t expect him to offer much in run support. Jordan Miller doesn’t have elite agility or initial closing speed, which causes issues in off man coverage. Any time an athlete suffers and injury as bad as Miller suffered in 2017, the chance for a reoccurrence is always a worry.
Expert Opinion
Lance Zierlein took an in-depth look at Jordan Miller in this NFL.com Draft Profile. He offers this evaluation on Miller:
"Draft Projection: Round 5 NFL Comparison: Ken Crawley Tall but thin press corner with the ability to bump and run, mirror the early stages from a pedal and take on Cover-3 duties. While Miller has the athletic ability to do all of the above, he might lack the physical strength and anticipation to truly make his mark in terms of becoming a ball hawk who contests catches. Miller has man-cover talent but must improve his finishing rate as a tackler. His length and athletic profile should make him a Day 3 selection."
Fit With The Atlanta Falcons
Jordan Miller will compete with Blidi Wreh-Wilson, and fellow rookie Kendall Sheffield for the fourth cornerback position. He is a promising prospect with his combination of height, speed, long arms and leaping ability. Though he is not as fast as Sheffield, he seems to be more polished and less of a project. Adding another man to the cornerback competition was a necessity, for Atlanta to have a shot at fielding quality depth at the position this year. Jordan Miller might just end up being the best cornerback the Atlanta Falcons drafted in 2019, when it’s all said and done.