NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Desmond Trufant, CB Washington

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Desmond Trufant
Washington CB Desmond Trufant

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: CB Desmond Trufant

Player Information:

Desmond Trufant, CB Washington
6-0, 190 pounds
Hometown: Tacoma, WA

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 time: 4.38
20-yard shuttle: 3.85

News and Notes:

Brother of NFL defensive backs Marcus and Isaiah. … Started 45 straight games before missing a game against Colorado this season. … All-Pac-12 first-team honors in 2012 after getting one interception, breaking up eight passes, forcing a fumble and blocking a kick. … Impressed scouts and turned heads at the Senior Bowl, likely vaulting himself into the first round. … Technique could use some work. … Some questions on his long foot speed. … Can play both man and zone coverage.

 What they’re saying about him:

  • RantSports.com: “Give him a few years to gain some experience and there’s a good chance Trufant may turn out to be one of the biggest steals of the 2013 NFL Draft–especially if he manages to work on his speed. It’s always beneficial when a cornerback can make an impact during his rookie season and it will be interesting to see how well Trufant makes the transition to the NFL after an impressive career at Washington.
  • NFL.com: “The brother of NFL cornerbacks Marcus and Isaiah flashes playmaking ability and very good foot quickness, but must play stronger, smarter, and avoid technique breakdowns to be considered a sure-fire NFL starter. His skillset will still likely see him as a Day 2 selection.”

Video:

Video Analysis:

  • Good in tight spaces. Has the size to not not get overpowered by bigger WRs.
  • Willing tackler. Has a tendency to dive uncontrollably at the ballcarrier’s feet. Could use some work on technique.
  • Downfield speed looked good to me on the play at the 2:55 point of the video.
  • Gets off a block and helps bring the ballcarrier down nicely at 3:30 of the video.
  • Would have liked to see a few more plays with Trufant in press coverage.
  • Other team’s better watch this kid coming from the edge on field goals and extra point attempts.

If drafted by the Packers:

We’ve been waiting for Tramon Williams to play like he did in 2010 for the last two seasons. Now Williams is 30. How many 30-year-old corners get better instead of worse? Not many.

I’m not saying it’s time to cut Williams, but it is probably time to have a backup plan and start planning for when it is time to move on, whenever that may be.

Sam Shields also could be out the door for a fat contract if he has a good 2013 season (there’s always the chance that Shields, a restricted free agent, could be gone this year if someone signs him to an offer sheet).

We can talk all we want about the read option and mobile quarterbacks, but the bottom line is this: the NFL is still a passing league. You can never have enough talented cornerbacks. I’ll never argue against drafting a cornerback in the first round as long as Ted Thompson thinks he’s talented enough to be picked that high.

Trufant looks like the real deal to me. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Packers take him.

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Adam Czech is a a freelance sports reporter living in the Twin Cities and a proud supporter of American corn farmers. When not working, Adam is usually writing about, thinking about or worrying about the Packers. Follow Adam on Twitter. Twitter .

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13 thoughts on “NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Desmond Trufant, CB Washington

  1. If the Packers are in a mini-rebuild mode, they might consider this guy. I think Pigskin had him going to GB. If the Packers are hoping to win-it-all (and I expect they are), then they need to look at a different position. They’re covered at CB, at least this year (pun intended).

    1. My hope is that they’re never in a position where they have to look at an upcoming season as a “win-it-all” now, season.

  2. I don’t think you can ever have enough CBs whether you’re rebuilding or not. I have no statistical data to back this up, but to me, it seems like CB is the most up-and-down position in football. One year a guy plays like an All-Pro. The next year, he’s average at best.

    1. I agree you can never have too many quality CBs, but if the Packers drafted him, there is a good chance he would only be the 4th or 5th best corner on the team this year. I think the Packers have a lot of areas where they could use an immediate upgrade.

  3. He might be a big time replacement for Woodson. If he is able to make the leap then Hayward can play in woodson role.

    Adam points out the next year 2 CB’s might go. Might as well build the talent pool this year to groom a replacement.

    Of course if another team wants to trade up say a 2nd and 3rd to get this guy (Miami?) then TT will have options.
    TT will have a few options and it will be interesting what he does this year.

    1. Trufant is nothing like Woodson. Hayward is already more like Woodson than Trufant will ever be. Trufant is more like Shields than he is anyone else the Packers have and since Shields isn’t going anywhere any time soon, Trufant is completely redundant.

      Theres little chance both Shields and Tramon wont be in GB and even if Tramon isn’t in ’14, they still have Shields, Hayward and House as the top 3 CB.

      Thompson makes it a point to keep young productive players like Shields! No doubt whatsoever in my mind that Shields will be in GB for another 5 years.

      1. It is good to have the cupboard full with more supply in the pipeline. Let’s hope the young guys stay healthy. I agree on Hayward being more like Woodson, we all hope that House steps up this year and the 3 (House, Tramon, Shields) allow Hayward to play the woodson role. THat will also help minimize the need for another safety. (IMO)

        My main point was TT doesn’t let really good players drop to opponents. This might create a great trading opportunity for a high 2 and a 3. An extra pick in that range will help fill all the needs. Letting a Miami move up and take Trufant might keep him out of Detroit or Minnesota. At least make the division opponents pay more dearly for good players.

        1. Probsbly easier to trade down from 26 get another 3rd and keep the player we already have. I’m a proponent of doing that if possible.

      2. Shields will be an unrestricted free agent after next season if not re-signed. The packers were already willing to risk losing him this year, so it’s not impossible to think he might not be back. I also don’t see Tramon ever getting back to a high level, so a Trufant pick would not be redundant at all. Not that I would like a CB in round one, but that’s besides the point.

        1. Putting a 2nd rd tender on him doesn’t really indicate they are risking losing him. When was the last time someone even lost a RFA w a 2nd tender? Probably been quite awhile.

  4. You can never have to many CBs..you can never have to many LBs in a 3-4, you can never have to many pass rushers, you can never have to many DLman rotating fresh bodys(ask the Giants).

    This team is getting killed up front and needs studs in the trenches. Harassing the QB and causing mayhem upfront will take pressure off the DBs. Having people run on us or QBs with all day, or getting our QB killed , seem like bigger problems on this team then taking a CB with the first pick.

    If Trufant is clearly the bpa when we pick at 26, then I guess we have to take him, but, I hope a stud DL,OLB, left tackle or even a safety is available when we pick.

    1. i agree that this team needs players up front, but this draft does not appear to have a lot of good fits in the first round. jesse williams and margus hunt (some would see as a reach but i do not) are possibilities.

      the idea of adding people up front makes a lot of sense, but if those guys are not good value you have to consider other positions. if the packers are going to keep shields (if he plays like he did in the second half of the season) they are going to have to let tramon go. CB is a real possibility in round one.

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