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Man-to-Man Coverage
Michigan State’s defense relies on their DB’s to be great in man-to-man coverage and that’s what Waynes is. He has the talent, tools and technique to be a great man-to-man defender in the NFL.
Here we see Waynes in the game against Baylor this season, a game where he did struggle with the quick throws of a fast paced offense. On this play, Waynes keeps his torso square until the WR declares the fade route. Waynes is in good position, but he’s a little bit too far up-field on the WR. The ball is thrown to the WR’s back shoulder, a good throw and good catch. Had Waynes been on the WR’s low hip the back shoulder throw would not have been made and instead the ball would have been forced to go over top of the tall Waynes.
Here we see Waynes in an outside shade, playing more of a zone technique but it appears that with it being a 3-step route, Waynes is responsible for the WR. Waynes gets beat inside on the quick slant and does not close down enough to make a play on the throw. The WR drops the ball so there is no harm done, but it should have been caught.
As the ball is snapped, the WR immediately stems up-field and inside. Waynes slides inside to cut off the WR’s route. Waynes gets on the WR’s hip and then gets behind the WR making the QB loft the ball up-field and over the WR’s head. Although it appears that Waynes got beat, he does a nice job of getting himself in good position to make it a tough throw.
The ball isn’t thrown Waynes way on this play, but he once again shows great technique. Waynes is playing inside of the WR, attempting to force him to go outside. Where it’s really impressive is when the WR breaks to the inside, Waynes rotates then jams the WR with his other hand without losing a step.
Ohio State runs a “smash” combination, where the outside WR runs a hitch/snag/spot and the slot WR runs a post corner route. Waynes does a good job of hugging up to the WR so that he is not bumped off of his route by the rub route. Also, Waynes realizes that the WR is running a snag route (in and back out) and he pulls through the WR and gets in the throwing lane. The ball is thrown to the post corner, but had it been thrown to the snag route, it may have been interception.
Waynes (along with the WLB) almost makes this play by himself. By keeping himself square, it allows him to stay with the WR and get a jam on him when he stems inside. Waynes gets his hands on the WR and drives him into the slot WR. By bumping both WR’s off of their routes, the timing of the play is thrown off and the QB misses his target.
Waynes holds his ground, as he does so well on every play. This time he allows the WR to get over top of him before getting on the inside hip and playing “trail-technique” that I’ve talked about so much. Waynes notices the WR’s hips sinking and can feel the route breaking outside and breaks right with the WR. There is no room for a throw to the WR.
This is an almost identical play as the previous one, except Waynes plays it differently this time around. Waynes gives ground on the route this time and the WR goes up-field more aggressively so Waynes follows suit. Waynes runs with a sense of urgency on this play, as if he doesn’t want to get beat deep, and is playing over top of the WR this time instead of in a trail position. When the WR settles his hips to break outside, Waynes is over the top on him and settles his hips as well. But since the WR has created separation by getting vertical quickly, Waynes is behind the WR a step or two. Waynes reaches to grab the WR’s jersey since he is beaten, this can’t happen in the NFL because it will be called when the jersey is visibly pulled.
Block Destruction
As a CB, you must be able to use your hands, eyes and technique to defeat blocks on the perimeter if you are responsible for setting the edge of the defense on an outside run or you must get off a block to make a tackle and prevent a big gain. Waynes has a bigger frame, which allows more room for the blockers to get their hands inside his chest and keep him blocked, he must work on this to be an effective player in the run game at the next level.
On this play, Penn State is running a counter play. The WR across from Waynes runs a deep route and even though he is off the screen the fact that he is not coming back in the play means that he is being blocked down field. Waynes needs to shed his blocker using his hands and come off the block to limit the big gain.
Waynes actually starts this play the way he should as a CB defending the run. He recognizes the run and drives up on the ball. Once he is locked on with the WR, Waynes extends his arms and gets outside leverage forcing the ball carrier to cut up-field. But as the ball carrier bares down of him, Waynes looses his leverage and begins to backpedal trying to make a play to the inside allowing the ball carrier to cut back outside. Had Waynes just kept his leverage, he would’ve done his job and forced the ball carrier to the inside and gotten help from his other defenders.
Trae Waynes is a big and rangy corner that possess polished technique in man-to-man coverage. Waynes does a great job of keeping himself square and making the WR choose a direction to run his route and not letting him dictate where he wants to go by opening the gate. Waynes is a lock down defender against the deep pass play for the most part, getting in good position and almost running the route for the WR. He is a willing tackler, not afraid of getting involved in the running game but he must remember his technique to make the tackle more consistently. Overall, I don’t think Waynes has the skills of Marcus Peters but I believe he is way more polished than Peters, possessing a better overall skill set as of right now. Waynes should be ready to step in and contribute right away in the NFL next season.
Pro Comparison and Draft Projection
Pro Comparison: Joe Haden
Draft Projection: Top 15 Pick
