Run Defense
Sheffield is actually a pretty decent tackler in space on the whole:
But as with many corners, it’s hard to ignore the times when the enthusiasm just doesn’t appear to be there. On the following play, there is no way the runner should be able to cross the goal line, but by vaguely clinging on rather than actually pushing the player back, Sheffield allows this to happen:
And he could also do with improving his hand usage to make it easier for him to work off blocks:
What should be clear from this piece is that Sheffield has a lot of work to do, and if the Panthers are going to spend a pick on cornerback before the final day of the draft, I don’t think he is somebody they should consider – but as the final day of the draft progresses, the floors of most players are going to be limited at best, making Sheffield’s ceiling harder and harder to ignore; not to mention the value he provides if he goes undrafted, which is certainly a possibility. In the short term, he would offer the Panthers special teams value and depth, but at least there is the potential for him to be more than that down the road, especially given that at 5-11 and 185 pounds, he has the ability to play both inside and out.
Grade: Late Fourth Round
Best Case NFL Comparison: Donte Jackson
