Top cornerback prospect Claiborne needs wrist surgery
Posted by Evan Silva on March 22, 2012, 4:30 PM EDT
Morris Claiborne AP

Morris Claiborne of LSU is the consensus top cornerback in the 2012 draft. An unexpected medical issue may give some teams pause about drafting him in the top five.

According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Claiborne revealed after the Tigers’ Thursday Pro Day that he will undergo wrist surgery on Friday. The procedure will repair a torn ligament in Claiborne’s left wrist.

He suffered the injury in LSU’s 9-6 regular-season overtime win against Alabama, but played through torn ligament the rest of the way. Claiborne had an interception against the Crimson Tide, and two more in the Tigers’ final five games.

Assuming the surgery isn’t serious, we ultimately wouldn’t expect Claiborne’s draft stock to be affected. Claiborne was the No. 4 overall pick in PFT’s first 2012 mock draft.

In other Claiborne news, he ran a 4.39 at LSU’s Pro Day, which was a big improvement on his 4.50 from last month’s Scouting Combine.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... t-surgery/

Wonder how this could effect the draft:

Why would he wait so long to get the operation???

If the Lions take a CB at 23 I think its going to be Stephan Gilmore, here is my evaluation:

Positives:
Athlectic, tall, solidly built corner - a true Playmaker
- natural on an Island
- physical nature to his game
impressive lateral quickness in mirroring
- Combine #'s 3.94 shuttle and 6.61 3-cone are above average
good initial burst when asked to turn and run
keeps his base down and under body for excellant balance
uses length well to work an arm bar toward the sideline
fluid in his hips
- cleanly out of his backpedal and gets up to speed quickly
Good straight-line speed for his size
- Combine # 4.4 for size is NFL starter quiality
makes it tough on defenders to separate vertically
ability to re-route because of his size, length and quickness
strength off the line when asked to press
a good closing burst on the football
Reliable hands
"Plus" tackler
- 79 tackles in 2010, 3 sacks, 3 TFL
Quality run defender
good range in the deep half with above-average ball skills in space
- Former QB and WR
- understands the game
Durable
Experienced starter
- played in SC pres-bail/off-coverage
- best near line of scrimmage
- Understands zone concepts and landmarks
Upside - could line up at Safety at times if needed

Negatives:
Not a Wrap up tackler - low cut tackles
Inconsistent
- 2011 was an off year
- tendency to want to get upright and open up his hips prematurely
gives up far too much cushion underneath
Isn't nearly as balanced in off/zone concepts
Needs to be more patient in his drop
forced to get overextended with his footwork in order to click and close
- athletic ability shows he can improve in this area
doesn't always trust what he sees - a bit tentative at times
Gambles

Scouting Report:
A tall, solidly built corner with a physical nature to his game. Plays in mostly pres-bail/off-coverage at South Carolina and is at his best when he's near the line of scrimmage. For his size showcases impressive lateral quickness in order to mirror. Can keep his base down and under himself initially, but his base level rises the longer he's asked to sit into his drop. However, collects himself quickly and showcases a good initial burst when asked to turn and run. Uses his length well to work an arm bar toward the sideline. Is fluid in his hips, cleanly out of his backpedal and gets up to speed quickly. Exhibits good straight-line speed for his size (played like a mid 4.4 guy) and made it tough on defenders to separate vertically. Showcases some strength off the line when asked to press, has the ability to re-route because of his size, length and quickness, but needs to continue to improve his footwork in order to stay more compact/balanced.

Isn't nearly as balanced in off/zone concepts. Has a tendency to want to get upright and open up his hips prematurely. Doesn't feel the routes of receivers overly well, at times he gives up far too much cushion underneath and struggles to get back out of his breaks. Will get caught with his hips locked prematurely with his back to the sideline and is forced to get overextended with his footwork in order to click and close or simply bail out of his drop and turn his back to the receiver in order to loop around toward the football. Needs to do a better job being more patient in his drop, sitting lower and staying more compact with his footwork. However, he is the kind of athlete that can improve in this area. He showcases natural bend, quickness and fluidity to his game. When he does set his feet, showcases a good closing burst on the football. Exhibits good range in the deep half with above-average ball skills in space.

Will even line-up at safety at times. Does a nice job reading the action in front of him and getting early jumps on the ball. However, doesn't always trust what he sees when asked to close and can get a bit tentative at times. Nevertheless, is a "plus" tackler at the position who isn't afraid to come up near the line of scrimmage and throw his weight around. Is a strong kid who generates a pop on contact and will wrap on the play. At times gets a bit lazy wrapping, but has the skill set and length to fend off blocks on the edge and breakdown on the ball carrier.

Impression: Is a "plus" sized corner with good quickness and fluidity. Needs to clean up his footwork in off/zone concepts, but has skill set to play near the line, check receivers and turn and run. Should be able to fight for a starting role during his rookie year in more of a zone scheme.

Believe the chances of Gilmore being gone by 23 are increasing. Wouldn't be surprised to see him taken before Dre Kirkpatrick, and he could be gone by our pick as well. So if the Lions want a corner in the 1st, they might be stuck with Janoris Jenkins, unless they trade up.

Being "stuck with Jenkins" isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Hell no, it's not a bad thing. I was against the Lions taking him after the college season ended, but all indications are that he's ditched his old lifestyle and friends and is now focused on football. He was impressive at the Senior Bowl, and had solid workouts in the Combines. If the Lions "ended up" with him, it's entirely possible he's considered a steal a year or two from now.

Being "stuck with Jenkins" isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Yea, I wasn't trying to imply it was a bad thing, just saying. In fact he is possibly the most polished corner on the board. But the others might have more upside, and have better size.

It's also entirely possible that he tries to bring the "hood" along with him (a la Mike Vick, Pacman Jones). He's a coin flip, that's what I don't like about him. Great upside, huge downside. Worthy pick, no doubt, but there are others that are less risky and will help the team just as much, or more.