NFL Draft Prospect Profile: DB Brock Vereen
Minnesota Gophers DB Brock Vereen
Packers prospect profile: DB Brock Vereen
Player Information:
Brock Vereen, DB Minnesota, 6-0, 199 pounds Hometown: Valencia, CA
NFL Combine:
40 time: 4.47
Vertical jump: 34″
225 lb. bench: 25 reps
Broad jump: 117″
News and Notes:
Three-year starter. … Never missed a game his final three seasons. … First-team All Big-Ten coaches selection senior season. … Switched from safety to cornerback throughout his career. … Broke up 22 passes and had 4 interceptions in final three seasons. … Father played football at UNLV and was drafted by Tampa Bay. … Brother is a running back for the Patriots.
What they’re saying about him:
- NFL.com: A very smart, pedigreed, rangy free safety with the athletic ability and cover skill desired on the back end. Lack of size and tackling strength could leave much to be desired when defending the run. Top-notch intangibles — toughness, instincts, competitiveness and leadership ability — should allow him to quickly emerge as a defensive leader and enhance his draft status.
- 1500ESPN.com In his first two seasons with the Gophers, he played primarily at cornerback. Heading into the 2012 season, he was shifted over to safety to address an issue of depth. Injuries last year forced the Gophers to make a midseason change, slotting him back out at corner.In turn, his ability to move between positions has helped his draft stock. He has talked with teams about playing at safety, nickel or corner, though he said he feels his best games have been at safety and in the nickel.
Video:
Video Analysis:
- Vereen is No. 21 in the video
- As a Gophers fan (don’t laugh), I’ve watched Vereen his whole career
- Vereen’s range would be a welcome addition to the Packers lumbering and slow-to-react safety corp
- However, even if Vereen is able to range over to a ball hanging in the air, is he big and strong enough to battle bigger NFL receivers once the ball comes down?
- Not a great tackler, but he lays it all on the line when trying to make tackles
- Has the quickness and burst to get sneaky sacks on slot blitzes
- Smart player. Won’t lose contain in key moments of the game (*Cough. Jarrett Bush on Colin Kapernick. *Cough.)
If drafted by the Packers:
Let’s say Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is gone before the Packers pick and they pass on Calvin Pryor. Could Micah Hyde move to safety, leaving an opening in the secondary for a versatile nickel defensive back who can play multiple positions and contribute on special teams? If so, Vereen could fit that bill and become the 2014 version of what Hyde brought to the Packers last season. Like Hyde, I don’t think Vereen will blanket receivers and shut them down. He also won’t level people with Ronnie Lott-style hits. But he’s got the movement and the acumen to be a contributor. He also seems like a Ted Thompson mid-to-late-round type of pick: versatile, intelligent, hard working and under-the-radar.
5 Comments On “NFL Draft Prospect Profile: DB Brock Vereen”
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Late round prospect. Career backup, Dime player and good special teams contributor. A less contentious version of Jarret Bush. He works if it’s round 6 or later. GoPack!
” Won’t lose contain in key moments of the game (*Cough. Jarrett Bush on Colin Kapernick. *Cough)”
WHY did you have to bring THAT up? Thanks. My dinner is now ruined. 😉
“If so, Vereen could fit that bill and become the 2014 version of what Hyde brought to the Packers last season.”
…and what Hayward brought two years back? You can never have too many coverage guys, but is he a triply redundant piece?…or doubly redundant if Hyde moves to S?
“As a Gophers fan (don’t laugh)”
That would be like laughing at a guy who had his arm chewed off by a wood-chipper.
TT so umpredictable Vereen may be a likely target in rounds 2-4, but let’s hope he doesn’t let Dix or Pryor go buy unless he has traded up to snag a big time DL or LB, both 3-4 ready and versatile, of course. Darkhouse premonition – now that Rodgers has been injured, TT probably thinks he is damaged goods and might just take a decent, big enough, smart and patient prospect better than recent tries, even with a first or trading down for multiple twos and threes…just thinking… but then there are a half dozen Pack FAs left he should sign rather than trust the wire or reject rack. THAT justifies his mantra of developing and keeping their own at least until they are unproductive, cap overvalued, etc.