The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will be sending a handful of prospects to the 2022 NFL Draft. Here are the scouting reports for every draft-eligible MEAC prospect.
MEAC 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
The MEAC scouting reports include some potential late-round and undrafted free agent prospects.
Decobie Durant, CB | South Carolina State
Positives: Underrated cornerback with outstanding instincts and ball skills. Quick-footed moving in reverse, easily flips his hips in transition, and sticks to receivers downfield. Tracks the pass in the air, gets his head around, and correctly positions himself to defend throws.
Battles opponents throughout the action, shadows opponents on crossing patterns, and possesses an explosive closing burst. Fires up the field defending the run, sells out on blitzes, and plays opportunistic football.
Negatives: Must be more consistent pedaling in reverse. Gets overmatched by bigger receivers and loses out in battles. Occasionally bites on receivers’ moves in press coverage.
Analysis: Durant is one of the more underrated corners in this year’s draft, but he comes with size limitations. He’s worthy of a Day 3 selection and possesses the skills necessary to line up in dime or even nickel packages.
Want more information on Durant? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Decobie Durant, South Carolina State CB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
De’Shaan Dixon, EDGE | Norfolk State
Positives: Tall, productive pass rusher with upside and growth potential. Moves well around the field, easily changes direction, and chases the action hard. Effective with his hands, breaks down well, and rarely gets knocked off his feet.
Shows the ability to bend the edge and chases the action hard. Remains disciplined with assignments and does more than just pin his ears back and rush up the field. Consistently focused on by opponents.
Negatives: Possesses a thin build and is easily blocked from the action or out-positioned by opponents. Plays to his 40 time and lacks a burst.
Analysis: Dixon was a solid small-school pass rusher who offers potential standing over tackle or out of a three-point stance. He must get bigger and stronger, but Dixon looks as though he has a frame that could easily add another 30 pounds.
Noah Rainbow-Douglas, LB | North Carolina Central
Positives: Safety-sized linebacker who is best defending the run. Quick to recognize and diagnose plays, works hard to get involved in the action, and immediately locates the ball handler. Explosive hitter who flows laterally to the play and breaks down well. Fires up the field, gives effort on the blitz, and stacks well against the run.
Negatives: Lacks any sort of burst or sustained speed. Not smooth pedaling in reverse and does not get depth on pass drops.
Analysis: Rainbow-Douglas was a very productive run defender yet lacks size and speed and can only play two downs.
Zafir Kelly, CB | South Carolina State
Positives: Feisty, instinctive corner who is best facing the action. Quick-footed pedaling in reverse, smooth flipping his hips in transition, and mixes it up with receivers throughout the route. Fluid, instinctive, and plays heads-up football.
Stays on the receiver’s hip out of breaks, has a quick burst to the ball, and flashes on the scene. Easily runs downfield with opponents. Works well with safeties to bracket receivers over the middle of the field.
Negatives: Slow getting his head back around and does a lot of face guarding. Must become a more secure tackler and lets opponents run through his arms.
Analysis: Kelly possesses solid size and speed as well as ball skills and has a real opportunity to make a Sunday roster as a dime back/special-teams player.