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The Jets signed two of the best undrafted free agent cornerbacks on the open market – Ryan Steed and Donnie Fletcher. Today we take a look at Furman’s Steed, who surprisingly wasn’t drafted.
We can talk forever about how great it is for a cornerback to run 4.4 forty, and that is helpful, but if they lack ideal instincts, that speed can be lessened.
A 4.4 player can turn into a 4.7 player if he doesn’t trust his eyes, and lacks a top-shelf feel for the position. That is what happened to Kyle Wilson as a rookie.
And this brings us to Furman cornerback Ryan Steed, one of the headliners of the Jets undrafted free agent class.
Steed really, really hurt his stock, which was rising after a strong week at the Senior Bowl, by running poorly in Indianapolis.
Steed ran a 4.69 at the combine. That can be a deal killer for some scouts. It’s a time that is unacceptable to them for a position that generally requires a certain amount of speed to succeed.
A few years ago, at the combine, I asked Bill Polian, what the cutoff speed was for him at the cornerback position, and he said – 4.55.
To Steed’s credit, he bounced back from that poor performance at the combine, to run a 4.57 at Furman’s Pro Day.
He reportedly ran a 4.5 at Furman’s Junior Pro Day.
But no matter how you slice it, this kid’s speed is borderline, but what I think can push him over the top are his smarts, instincts and character.
The Charleston, SC-native (I’m always jealous of anybody who lives there – what a great place), is a terrific young man with an innate feel for the game.
“[Ryan] shows natural instincts for the position,” said ESPN’s Mel Kiper. “He has excellent ball skills.”
“He shows savvy to read quarterback drops and receiver body language,” said Pro Football Weekly’s Nolan Nawrocki, a former college defensive back (Illinois).
Steed’s intelligence is going to endear him to the Jets’ coaches. He will likely pick things up quickly.
For those not that familiar with Furman, it’s a terrific academic institution in Greenville, South Carolina. According to a recent study, more
Furman grads have gone on to earn PHD’s than those of any other private liberal arts school in the South.
And something this is lost on many of us due to the violent, almost babaric nature of football, is you have to be pretty darn smart to play in the NFL.
Over my 17 years covering the Jets, I’ve seen so many physically talented players fall by the wayside, because they just couldn’t pick things up mentally.
Why do you think Jim Leonhard has been successful in the NFL as a 5-8, 185 pound safety? Because there are few guys smarter than him in the league.
So Steed has a fighting chance.
And if his speed becomes too much of an obstacle, a move to safety is a distinct possibility. He already 195 pounds, so he wouldn’t need to get much bigger.
(Premium will return on Thursday by 9:30 pm with a look at Donnie Fletcher.)
