Film Study: NFL Draft Profile of linebacker Cory James

After our first scouting report on Rashard Higgins, it’s time to take an in-depth look at some of the other potential “Next Level Rams.” It’s Cory James’ turn, possibly another hidden gem on the Rams defense after Shaquil Barrett’s breakout season with the Denver Broncos.

The comparison is obviously unfair because Barrett is looking like a legitimate talent at the NFL level who might have a long and profitable career, those are high expectations. Barrett was also a higher level prospect, both because of his production, and more importantly, his size (I’m still amazed he wasn’t drafted). This isn’t to say that James doesn’t have a chance, quite the opposite. He has lots of translatable skills that could allow him to succeed in a more modern, pass-happy NFL.

After closely studying four games of James’ from the 2013 season (his most productive season and one in which he played OLB, his most likely position in the NFL) watching him throughout his career at CSU, being blown away by his Pro Day performance, and interviewing him, this is my scouting report.

Much like last time, we’ll look at James’ strengths first, followed by his weaknesses and then wrap it all up in the end.

Strengths:

• James is a four-year starter who’s shown tons of positional and role versatility. He’s been used as a weakside linebacker in coverage and asked to cover tight ends and even slot receivers from time to time. He’s shown good instincts and ability in underneath zone coverage, while also showing impressive skills in covering TEs, running backs and man-to-man in space with very good results. In the 2015 season, he moved to inside LB and had some success. He’s also shown consistent ability to play as an OLB in a 3-4 and has shown good pass rushing ability from the outside, as well as some nice blitzing skills from the LB position. Simply, he has a very diverse skill set.
• Cory has been a highly productive player over the course of his career. He’s always started 12 games or more, always produced over 50 tackles and has produced 38 tackles for a loss in his career in addition to 23 sacks and four forced fumbles.
• He consistently shows pass-rushing potential, especially as a speed rusher. See his ability to dip and bend the edge against Utah St LT early on in the game. Corey shows great flexibility and closing speed. He’s able to turn the corner and close in no time, this is where his speed and athleticism are put on full display.
• He is a good backside run defender. He shows good speed and ability in pursuit; probably his best trait when defending the run.
• James plays with reckless abandon and attitude. He throws his body around. James isn’t just an under LB (like his size might suggest), he’s not just going to sit back and let the defensive lineman do all the dirty work, he’s going to shoot gaps and take on much bigger guys in the trenches and try to make a play. That’s the type of linebacker I personally love. James has really good “take on” skills, something he mentioned on Pro Day as his best skill on the football field “…Pretty much getting to the ball, anyway. Whether it’s as a pass rusher, or playing ‘Mike’ and finding the ball and getting to it.”
• He really gave the bigger Stephon Nembot trouble in the CU game, blew by him a couple times with speed moves, and was also able to get his hands into Nembot and explode. Also, created pressure on some blitzes.
• Cory had to cover the much smaller speedster D.D. Goodson out on the perimeter in 1-on-1 coverage, stayed with him for 45 yards, and contested the catch in the end zone. Foot speed and raw coverage ability is clear to see, lots of potential there as an NFL Weakside LB.
• The more I watch and the more it’s clear that he possesses not only natural burst and speed but also the agility and ability to shake an O-lineman; they are James’ greatest attributes as a pass-rusher off the edge.
• Showed much better hand technique in Alabama game, wasn’t just trying to penetrate by forcing his way in with his shoulder (bad trait I’ve seen from other undersized linebackers, Vic Beasly did this way too much at Clemson for example). By far his best game against the run (that I’ve studied), there’s some real promise there. Really attacked Kouandjio (current NFL OT) and hand fought well against him. Also got pressure by beating Kouandjio with a spin move.
• Good open field tackler, doesn’t let guys go when he wraps his arms for the tackle.

Weaknesses:

• James told me he played as a strong side linebacker in 2014, “I think I was 240 lbs. my junior year, so I was playing outside linebacker and defensive end.” But when I study him his lack of size does hinder him against the run, especially when playing on the strong side as a 3-4 OLB in CSU’s defense. He lacks functional strength to set the edge against the run; this will most likely force him to be a WLB at least on the first two downs in the NFL.
• His awareness wasn’t always great when playing in underneath coverage in zone, and he got flagged for being too handsy against Utah State. Generally, his ability in coverage is a bonus, but this should be mentioned.
• James isn’t much of a pass-rushing technician at this point in his career, more of a speed demon. He struggles once OTs get their hands on him, lacks counter moves, and doesn’t have great arm length or ability when it comes to hand combat in the trenches. This skill can be worked on, though. He’s more of a blitzer than a pure pass rusher at this stage of his development.
• At times, James looks like he’s not pursuing the play at 100 percent effort, but will have to do this at NFL level to succeed against the run.
• Lack of size does limit his ability to beat RBs in pass protection. There are definitely instances where he looks like he’s about to make a play in the backfield and the back is able to block him, lacks power.
• He gets swallowed up by jumbo TE against Alabama, which leads to a big offensive run. He does struggle defending the run on the strong side, especially when taking on blockers on the edge.
• Size limitations put an emphasis on his ability to read and react. Cory James makes lots of plays when he’s the first to attack and make contact. He’ll struggle if he’s reading the play late and lets blockers get their hands on him; ability to adjust in these situations is limited.

Conclusion:

This isn’t necessarily the easiest transition in the NFL, as James’ most productive position as a Ram was playing as an outside rush linebacker who had the freedom to freelance and do some things in coverage as well. He won’t be able to play that role in the NFL. This is both a good and a bad thing. It’s bad because James was at his best as a collegiate player when rushing the passer; he won’t be able to do this in his new NFL role (most likely as a Weak side LB). The good news is that James’ best and most translatable NFL trait is his cover skills, combined with his speed and athleticism. This will suit him extremely well as a backer on the weak side in the NFL. When you add his playmaking ability and skills as a blitzer, you have a pretty intriguing package for a modern WLB in a 4-3.

I confess he’s a player I think is greatly underrated in this draft. We see this every year; smaller linebackers are undervalued due to old-school thinking. The position has evolved, and players who can be on the field on 3rd down are more important than ever. James is an asset in these situations, and that should lead him to having real value for an NFL team.

He showed elite athleticism at his pro day: James ran a 4.57 40-yard dash, jumped 35 inches in his vert jump and ran what would have been an NFL Combine best (at his position) 3 cone drill of 6.67. We’ve seen many players, even with the Denver Broncos, come up as undrafted or late picks because of their size, and then develop like Wesley Woodyard, Danny Trevathan or Brandon Marshall.

He reminds me a lot of another member of this draft class, Ohio State’s Darron Lee. Lee is seen much more highly, has slightly better measurables and athleticism, but they are very similar type players and will have to adjust to a new position in the NFL. If a team is willing to gamble a top 15 pick on Lee I would highly suggesting taking a flier on James during the Draft’s 3rd day.

Here’s James (in the white shirt) working with former Rams great Joey Porter at Pro Day:

Read Rashard Higgins’ NFL Draft profile here.