2015 NFL Draft: Vikings Select – Trae Waynes
By Ralph Llera
In the 2015 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Trae Waynes with the eleventh overall pick.
Waynes, 6’0 186, was a shutdown cornerback for the Michigan State Spartans last year with three interceptions and eight pass breakups. White was selected as first-team All-Big Ten in 2014 after being tasked with covering the number one receiver on every team. The highest-ranked cornerback among most draft analysts, Waynes is the epitome of what the NFL is looking for in cornerbacks these days. His above-average length, solid ball skills, and ability to play press-man coverage has made Waynes a hot commodity. Not to mention, Waynes has super Sonic speed (4.31 forty-yard dash) to go along with his prototypical size.
Two pro comparisons for Waynes is Darqueze Dennard and Antonio Cromartie. Waynes matches Dennard’s ability to thrive in press-man coverage like Dennard, but has the tremendous size and athleticism of Cromartie.
At Michigan State, Waynes started 27 games in his career. 13 of those games were with Dennard, a Michigan State alum. Both exemplify what a Michigan State player has becomed to be known for: smart, tough, fundamentally sound. Waynes’ calm demeanor on and off the field lead many teams to believe that he can be trusted to stay out of trouble, a huge bonus considering all of the negativity surrounding the NFL due to character concerns.
The catch with Waynes is that he definitely leaves much to be desired when it comes to change-of-direction ability, arguably the most vital element in a cornerback’s game. Waynes managed to only run a 4.39 20-yard shuttle, a drill where your time should be faster than your forty-yard dash time.
Waynes will give Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer the long, tall, and fast cornerback he needs to utilize his press-man 4-3 defensive scheme in Minnesota. Waynes may struggle at times, but offers Pro Bowl potential.
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