In the fourth round of the NFL Draft, teams are looking for unique skills that could play a role on an NFL field down the road. With Kendall Sheffield, speed is the trait that set him apart.
An Alabama commit originally, Sheffield transferred and went the JUCO route before landing at Ohio State under Urban Meyer. He only started one full season for the Buckeyes but left a positive impression on his coach – who believes Sheffield will find a role for himself in Atlanta.
Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer talks up Falcons draft pick and former Buckeye Kendall Sheffield. pic.twitter.com/l7kAN1jkrz
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) June 25, 2019
Nobody will say Sheffield was the most consistent college product. His footwork and instincts often led him into trouble, but few players have the pure acceleration to make up for that. A former track star, his legitimate 4.2 speed gives him upside that cannot be passed up in the fourth round. It might not take him long to see the field either, as the Falcons cut both Robert Alford and Brian Poole this offseason, leaving Sheffield, Damontae Kazee, and sixth-round selection Jordan Miller battling for the nickel corner role.