2024 2nd round pick #43 is Max Melton CB

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[BullheadCardFan]

Max Melton Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

www.nfl.com

Max Melton runs official 4.39-second 40-yard dash at 2024 combine

• 2020: Played in all 9 games with 6 starts (21 tackles, TFL).
• 2021: Led the team with 3 INTs. Started 10 games (28 tackles, 2 TFL, 3 INTs-1 returned for TD, 6 PBUs, blocked kick). Suspended 3 games after being charged with 3 counts of aggravated assault and a weapons count for shooting 3 students with a paintball gun. Entered a pre-trial intervention program.
• 2022: Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference. Tied for the FBS lead with 3 blocked kicks. Started all 12 games (33 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INTs, 10 PBUs).
• 2023: Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference. Led the team with 3 INTs. Started 12 games (32 tackles, 4 TFL with 1 sack, 3 INTs, 6 PBUs, FF).
• Brother, Bo, played WR at Rutgers and currently plays for the Packers. Father, Gary, played WR/RB at Rutgers. Mother, Vicky, played basketball at Rutgers.

-- by Chad Reuter


By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 2

Overview​

Versatile inside/outside cornerback who displayed improvement every year at Rutgers. Melton carries good size and did a nice job staying with some of the better receiving options from the Big Ten. He's adequate from press and has the burst to make up ground when he gets behind early. He's at his best, however, when playing with his eyes forward from zone and searching for clues to jump in and make plays on the football. The ball skills can flip the field, and he's very aggressive in collapsing the catch point. He's capable in run support but needs to work on his angles of pursuit. His versatility, traits, instincts and ball skills could make him an eventual starter and an early CB3/4.

Strengths​

• Plays inside and outside with good size and length.
• Able to slide and slow an inside release from boundary or slot.
• Highly instinctive when playing with eyes forward.
• Reads the receiver's stride length to clue in on when to jump the route.
• Possesses dynamic ball skills to beat receivers to the ball.
• Uses long strides to make up the distance when he gets behind.
• Plays with above-average aggression challenging perimeter run blocks.

Weaknesses​

• Upright backpedal with slight hitch in his transitions.
• Beaten too easily across his face for goal-line and short-yardage slants.
• Average plant-and-drive acceleration from the top of his drop.
• Relies on reading the receiver's eyes over finding the football.
• Room for improvement with his angles to ball-carrier in run support.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Max Melton NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Rutgers CB

HEIGHT: 5'11" WEIGHT: 187 HAND: 9⅛" ARM: 32⅛" WINGSPAN: 76⅝" 40-YARD DASH: 4.39 3-CONE: SHUTTLE: VERTICAL: 40.5" BROAD: 11'4" POSITIVES — Versatile defensive…

bleacherreport.com

POSITIVES
— Versatile defensive back with good size and length. Has plenty of snaps aligned as a slot and outside cornerback.
— Shows good awareness in zone coverage with proper spacing. Displays great anticipation of routes and quickly reacts to threats. Does a great job of playing the ball when he is able to see it thrown.
— Aggressive and physical defender in the run game. Takes on blocks with his hands and looks to quickly discard. Very good in close quarters and performs best when close to the line of scrimmage. Triggers and fills gaps in the backfield.

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NEGATIVES
— Lacks recovery speed when out of position, which leads to him struggling to close separation out of breaks. Plays with high pad level, which causes him to round his breaks at times.
— Can get caught staring at the quarterback too much. Doesn't trust his instincts to break and drive, which causes him to be late out of breaks.

 

[MadCardDisease]

love it. Had him as a possibility early in the third. Perfect spot for him here.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

NFLN saying he has lot's of raw talent

 

[Mulli]

I thought all the corners were gone. They got the last one!

 

[Jttsaz]

Well at least we got a CB!

 

[Shane]

NFLN saying he has lot's of raw talent

And super talented and twitched up

 

[kerouac9]

Second generation Rutgers. Bill B probably called Monti on this prospect specifically

 

[AZCB34]

love it. Had him as a possibility early in the third. Perfect spot for him here.

Big Rutgers fan are ya?

 

[Ronin]

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[moosehead]

Coach Saban just raved about him on TV. Called him his "sleeper" corner of the draft

 

[MadCardDisease]

Another Senior Bowl standout

 

[NashDishesDimes]

had value there at 35, traded back and then reached, ****

 

[Ronin]

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[MadCardDisease]

Big Rutgers fan are ya?

Nope. Watched him at the Senior Bowl.

 

[Shane]

Coach Saban just raved about him on TV. Called him his "sleeper" corner of the draft

Saban knows D

 

[Harry]

Solid pick. Very fast, ballhawk and tough. He’s a little raw on technique. Give him a year and he’ll be better than Koolaid and a better pure CB than Dejean. He just needs polish.

 

[Mainstreet]

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I guess the Cards got to watch a lot of tape on him scouting Harrison, Jr.

 

[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

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[Mr. Boldin]

Gannon was pumped when we made the pick.

 

[JosiahLee]

Hate that they traded out of #35.

 

[SunsTzu]

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Great. Our #4 overall pick couldn't seperate from the 20th best CB in the draft.

 

[Hoodhero]

Garret Williams says hello. Give JG and this staff a chance to train him up and let's see.