Max Melton vs. Kamari Lassiter: Identifying Broncos' Best CB Fit
The Denver Broncos have tried finding a cornerback starter opposite Patrick Surtain II in the last two drafts. Damarri Mathis showed some promise to end his rookie season but ended up being benched in Year 2.
In the 2023 NFL draft, the Broncos traded up for Riley Moss, who struggled to see the field. It's not a good sign the team isn't looking at him as the second starter entering 2024.
Will the Broncos be able to find an answer in this year's draft? This draft class has plenty of options, and the two players we'll break down today could be a fit.
Let's dive into their respective scouting reports.
Max Melton | Rutgers
Michael Karas/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
- Height: 5-foot-11
- Weight: 187 pounds
- Arm Length: 32-1/8 inches
- Hands: 9-1/8 inches
- Relative Athletic Score: 9.57
Pros
Melton is an athletic corner who can play in the slot or on the boundary. He has enough length and size for the NFL and uses his length to create issues for receivers with their release.
The length is also used quite well when attacking the catch point and disrupting receivers, as he broke up 16 passes in his career. His ball skills are also a plus, as he has eight interceptions.
Melton's instincts are great, and he works exceptionally well in zone coverage, keeping the play in front of him and his eyes facing forward. He reads the quarterback and receivers extremely well, trusts what he sees, and puts himself in a position to make a play on the ball.
Melton is a long strider, which helps him stick with receivers and their pacing, with a sound change of direction and the ability to stick through cuts and breaks. He's also a physical defender, showing it when working against the run.
Melton will work through blocks to try and make a play on the ball. That physicality is also shown when working in coverage and with his press.
Cons
Melton's overall technique needs to be completely developed. His backpedal is messy and can often get him out of sync with receivers who are pressing vertically. When it comes time to flip his hips and run, he can get behind the receiver by a step.
Melton's situational awareness is also lackluster, and he can allow receivers to cross his face to make the quick catch in short-yard or goalline situations. He also sets in coverage poorly, which doesn't help with the issue of receivers crossing his face.
While he is physical against the run, his angles leave space for the ball carrier to outpace him for extra yards. This has created some issues with his tackling, which is inconsistent. He must also clean up the penalties, with eight in the last two years.
Fit With Broncos
The fit between Melton and the Broncos depends on what defensive coordinator Vance Joseph wants to do. Last year, Joseph wanted to run man coverage, which Melton isn't the best fit for.
However, because four-man rushes cannot generate consistent pressure, the Broncos had to blitz more often, so they ended up running more zone coverage. If the Broncos were to stick with more zone coverage, Melton would be a good fit who could compete to start right away.
Big Board Position: No. 70 overall.
Kamari Lassiter | Georgia
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
- Height: 5-foot-11.5
- Weight: 186 pounds
- Arm Length: 30-7/8 inches
- Hands: 8-7/8 inches
- Relative Athletic Score: N/A
Pros
One of the big questions about Lassiter entering the 2023 season was whether he could improve his reads of plays, which he did, leading to his best season. His press technique is clean and consistent, and he brings good physicality to it, making it difficult for receivers to get off the snap.
Lassiter's lower half has solid technique and good agility, which help with the change of direction and his backpedal. He also has good hand technique to fight with receivers through their route without getting penalized.
Lassiter will bring it as a run defender, using the same physicality he shows in coverage and with his press. The catch point is never clean with Lassiter, who has broken up nine passes in college. He can read and mirror receivers in coverage and has enough in his toolbox to work in zone or man coverages.
Cons
The ball production is concerning, with one career interception back in 2021. There are concerns about his overall playmaking ability for a defense. While he has sound technique, the consistency isn't always there, and he can get caught out of phase when mirroring routes.
As a run defender, he does have issues with getting off blocks of receivers. The physicality is there, but the technique to get off blocks of receivers is lacking.
There are concerns about his overall athleticism and long speed. He can get caught using trail technique, and he doesn't have the recovery athleticism to catch up with receivers.
Fit With Broncos
Lassiter lacks the playmaking ability that the Broncos could be looking for, but he can be a good cover corner to pair with Surtain despite that. While Lassiter needs to develop his technique, there's enough of a base to be a quality starter immediately in the NFL.
Big Board Position: No. 82 overall.
Better Fit for Broncos
The better fit depends on what the Broncos do with their pass rush. Melton is the better fit if they don't do enough and rely on blitzing and using zone heavily.
Lassiter would be the better option if the Broncos can improve their pass rush to get home more often with four rushers and play-man coverage.
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