Washington Redskins 2017 Draft Profiles: Tre’Davious White, CB

Tre’Davious White, CB
School: LSU | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 191 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Late 1st or early 2nd Round
NFL Comparison: Josh Norman

College Statistics

Player Overview

Tre’Davious White can make a legitimate argument for being college football’s best coverage corner this season. The Shreveport, LA native has played at a consistent level his whole career and was considered in some circles to be a first round pick last year but decided to return to LSU. He took a huge step in improving his coverage abilities his senior season and has the stats and tape to back it up. His instincts, stickiness, and fluidity show up in coverage. He is effective playing press and off coverage. When the ball is in the air White is impressive as he adjusts and uses his body and hands to get into position and disrupt a pass.

In addition to being a good football player White seems to be a very smart and mature young man. He graduated Valedictorian of his high school class and has maintained a 3.0-grade point average since arriving at LSU. He is also very aware saying in an interview that “I think about how anything I’m going to do affects my team, LSU and my family.”.

Strengths

• Superb coverage cornerback. He is effective in press and off coverage. Also effective in man and zone coverage. Excellent awareness in vision keeping his eyes on the QB and ball and able to keep track of the receiver as well.
• Not the biggest but still is a physical presence on the field in coverage. Has the size and length to consistently contest passes against bigger receivers.
• Good athletic ability. Returned punts at LSU and had some success. Will be able to stick with most receivers in the NFL.
• Smart player, while he can play physically in coverage he isn't overly aggressive as to cause penalties. He knows when to jam or when to play off. When he can control an opponent and when he should let go.

Weaknesses

• Doesn't seem remotely interested in tackling on a consistent level. He is hands off in run support and in bringing down a man he wasn't initially covering. A serious concern.
• Doesn't possess the quick twitch speed or long speed to stay with speedy receivers in the slot or on the long ball. I wouldn't want him covering Jamison Crowder or Julio Jones at least in his rookie year.

Let’s see his work:

Mind the music here.

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

White is a tremendous talent in coverage. He is arguably the best coverage corner in this draft. His fatal flaw in my view is his lack of interest in coming up to the line of scrimmage in run support. Daniel Jeremiah recently released a mock draft with White going #11 overall to the Saints. I definitely think White will be in the first round conversation but I think most draft rooms won’t like the fact that that he doesn't consistently come up to the line of scrimmage to tackle.

A good argument could be made that the Redskins are already set at cornerback. While the depth is there between Josh Norman, Bashaud Breeland, Kendall Fuller and Quinton Dunbar the unit as a whole has played pretty poorly at times. There could be many reasons for diminished play but personally, I am of the opinion that like pass rushers a team can never have too many cornerbacks.

The Redskins could shore up their CB talent and depth for the next few years with the selection of White and would also have insurance in the event Bashaud Breeland isn’t resigned (contract year coming up) or Kendall Fuller doesn’t develop as they anticipate. White is a corner with starter and star potential in the NFL he is going to make some team happy even if it isn’t the Redskins.