Detroit Lions Draft Profiles: Kevin White, CB, TCU

The Detroit Lions have never shied away from drafting a cornerback based on size alone. In the 2015 NFL Draft, there are plenty of bigger options than Kevin White, but perhaps nobody as competitive or hard working on a complete scale. Coming to TCU as an underrated prospect, White had to scrap to get noticed by recruiters and then on his own defense. That progression has continued with the talent evaluators, but he has made a name for himself and might look good patrolling Detroit’s defensive backfield.

Notable Combine Measurables 

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Height: 5-9

Weight: 183

40 -Yd Dash: 4.63 seconds

20-Yd Dash: 2.65 seconds

Vertical Jump: 35 1/2

Broad Jump: 10’1″

225-lb Bench Press: 18 reps

*White completed the shuttle and three-cone drill at his workout. He ran the shuttle in 4.25 seconds and completed the cone drill in 6.86 seconds.

Traits and Projected Round

White is an excellent defender in close range. He has quick feet and shows an explosion while getting back in coverage against receivers that might have initially outran him. White is also incredibly physical, and has been known to scrap for the ball and not avoid contact with receivers. Naturally, the biggest concerns about White revolve around his height and his less than fast straight-line speed. There’s been a thought that he can be overly-aggressive, and might draw plenty of penalties at the next level as a result. Still, White has opened eyes, and made a name for himself at this year’s Senior Bowl.

White’s not figured to be picked within the first four rounds of the draft, so he could qualify as a player that the Lions could target in rounds five through seven.

Why the Detroit Lions Could Draft Kevin White

Detroit hasn’t shied away from taking smaller cornerbacks with plenty of on-ball compete, as evidence by last year’s selection of Nevin Lawson who has a similar frame and play style as White. Considering the fact that Lawson is working back from injury, the Lions might like a little bit of reinforcement as it relates to Lawson’s style of play. Rashean Mathis plays a similar game, so adding White to Detroit’s stable of young talent could be interesting, especially if they could nab him in the later rounds.

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