Can Terrell be a first-round cornerback?
The New York Giants are in a curious position as far as their roster and future draft needs are concerned.
They have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, which could be considered a strength or a weakness. On one hand, if everything comes together, they should have a deep and talented core of players for years to come. On the other hand, development isn’t certain and the team could find themselves in need of players at multiple positions if the youngsters can’t step up.
Starting corner Deonte Banks is one of those players in limbo. He has deeply impressive physical traits, but also struggled to adapt to Shane Bowen’s defensive scheme after being drafted for Wink Martindale’s scheme.
Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell is a quick, agile corner who can play man or zone. The Giants might want to keep an eye on him in case Banks doesn’t take a step forward in 2025.
(Terrell is the Clemson cornerback wearing No. 20, with orange sleeves and usually on the defensive left.)
What he does well
Terrell is an impressively athletic cornerback and he appears to have prototypically quick feet as well as oily hips on tape. He’s a very easy mover who can change direction at a moment’s notice with quick, light feet, and also has the hip fluidity to easily flip and carry his speed in transition.
Terrell’s athleticism allows him to easily get, and stay, in phase with receivers throughout their routes. He has the quickness and agility to match breaks at the top of stems, as well as the speed to run with most receivers down the field. Terrell does a good job of disguising zone or off-man coverage, allowing him to execute pattern matching coverage rules as the play call dictates.
His athleticism and movement skills also allow him to effectively avoid schemed traffic in space and maintain tight coverage.
He appears to be a very quick processor on tape, with good eye discipline and the ability to track the ball in the backfield. He’s quick to click and close, and is explosive coming downhill. That quick processing with the athleticism to act on his reads make him disruptive at the catch point, with 2 interceptions, 12 passes defensed, and 3 forced fumbles last year.
Finally, Terrell is a willing run defender and a surprisingly good tackler. He shows little hesitation in coming downhill to make a play on the ball carrier. Likewise, he does a good job of tackling with good form to get ball carriers on the ground. Terrell consistently makes an effort to drive through ball carriers’ hips while wrapping up to make sure they go down and limit yards after contact.
What he needs to improve
The most obvious negative on Terrell’s profile is one he can’t really do anything about — his size.
Terrell isn’t exactly undersized, at least if Clemson’s listed height and weight are to be believed. However he’s definitely smaller than ideal at (listed) 5-foot-11, 180 pounds. We’ll have to wait until an All-Star game or the NFL Scouting Combine to see if that height and weight are accurate.
While size isn’t a skill set, it does impact his game in various ways that could limit his appeal at the NFL level. Terrell wasn’t asked to jam in man coverage situations, instead staying just off and using his athleticism to run with receivers. His size could limit him against bigger, more physical receivers. Likewise, he could struggle matching strength with, or playing the ball against, big receivers at the catch point.
Terrell is able to easily stay in phase with big receivers, but they might be able climb the ladder and high-point the ball over him, or fight through his coverage at the catch point.
The other major issue on Terrell’s tape is one that is within his control and should be a point of emphasis:
He needs to improve his choice of angles when in pursuit or coming downhill against a ball carrier.
Terrell is highly athletic, however he consistently seems to overestimate his athleticism, or underestimate that of his opponent. He takes highly aggressive angles to the ball that often border on reckless. It isn’t uncommon to see him arrive several yards behind the play, or chasing the ball carrier around almost like a kid on the playground. Not only does that create opportunities for additional offensive yardage, but it also makes tackling more difficult for Terrell.
His angles can also leave running lanes open for ball carriers, as opposed to funneling them back toward his teammates.
Final thoughts
It will be fascinating to follow Avieon Terrell’s draft stock over the coming year. He has the traits to be a first round corner, but it remains to be seen whether teams will hold his size against him.
A few years ago, being a bit short and light might have led teams considering him a “slot only” or a second round prospect. However, the proliferation of Cover 4 schemes over the last couple years has changed things. Terrell’s size is less of an issue in those schemes, particularly considering how well he tackles and his disruptiveness at the catch point. Meanwhile, his awareness and athleticism make him a good fit in zone-heavy schemes where rare physical traits are less necessary.
Terrell absolutely need to improve his run defense, and picking smarter angles to the ball. Even so, he has the potential to be a starting cover corner at the NFL level.
