With their second pick in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Isaac Yiadom of Boston College.

Yiadom was a standout for the North squad down at the Senior Bowl, who the Broncos coached, meaning they know him well and had already tested him in their scheme.

We went back to the tape to see how he fits.

Strengths: 

• The BC standout is a long, physical cornerback, who fits perfectly in a press scheme. He uses his hands well to re-direct routes and does a good job owning the point of attack. 

• Yiadom plays sticky coverage and doesn’t give receivers much space. 
• He does a good job keeping receivers within arm’s length while keeping his eyes on the ball.
• He uses his long levers well to contest catches and make receivers miserable.

• He’s a sure tackler who wraps up nicely and is a willing run defender. He’s not afraid to lower his shoulder and deliver the boom either.

• While not an elite athlete, he has good hips and can turn and run with speedy receivers. Even if he’s not a speedster, he’s more than fast enough to be a starting NFL corner in a man scheme.

• He really handled himself nicely against the Senior Bowl’s best competition, which was a big test. He also was very efficient against some of the ACC’s best receivers.
• Yiadom has a good IQ and uses his eyes really well. He does a nice job following and tracking the ball. He reacts quickly to receptions underneath, too. 

• Even if it’s not his best quality, Yiadom did well in zone coverage, thanks to his quick reactions and eyes, coming downhill and making timely tackles.

Weaknesses:

• Yiadom is a good athlete but not freakish by any means, it’s reasonable to wonder how he’ll handle NFL speedsters like Tyreek Hill.
• While he’s a good tackler, Yiadom could be more aggressive coming downhill to help against the run. His lack of elite speed is shown most when he has to make plays downhill.
• He’s a bit light at 190 pounds and can be pushed around a bit when blocked and having to defend the run. 
• He’s not an ideal fit in off-coverage as he doesn’t close downhill. 
• There are times where the long corner can be too physical and will need to adjust in the NFL or he’ll risk getting penalized. He can be a bit too handsy at times.
• Yiadom isn’t a quick-twitch athlete, he’s not an ideal fit if lined up in the slot.
• He has good ball skills but not great hands and isn’t an elite ballhawk.

In conclusion

The BC corner was really impressive on film and is a fairly exciting pick for the Broncos. While he might not have been a top-100 prospect for all teams, this is a classic example of a player who’s fit in the system he was drafted in, which should significantly raise his ability to succeed in the NFL.

Yiadom is a perfect fit in the Broncos man-heavy press scheme. His eye discipline and the way in which he always keeps his receivers at arm’s length and follows the ball will allow him to contribute immediately in Denver. His eyes are really impressive and show a maturity in his game.

While his upside isn’t the highest, Yiadom already plays the position with good polish and physicality, two qualities that’ll take him a long way. His ability to fit in the Broncos scheme could make him a really intriguing prospect, with the ability to start and compete right away.

He’s far from perfect and isn’t exactly Aqib Talib with his special skills, but Yiadom adds nice depth to a Broncos cornerback group that with him Langley and Tramaine Brock.

This is a slam-dunk selection for the value the Broncos are getting and the fit matching up perfectly. It feels like they might’ve struck gold with another Golden Eagle after the success they had in picking Justin Simmons.