Elijah Molden 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Name: Elijah Molden

Position: Cornerback

College: Washington

Height: 5’9 ½”

Weight: 192 lbs

Overall Rank: No. 93 overall

Position Rank: CB11

Strengths: Elijah Molden may not have a truly defined position in the NFL, but he’s someone that a defensive coordinator will love having on the roster. He’s been a difference-maker in the Washington program and demonstrated positional versatility while filling multiple roles on the field based on gameplan and need. He wins with elite instincts and a nose for the ball. He is so quick to diagnose and trigger that it sometimes looks like he’s seen the opponent’s playbook. Despite his size, he has no fear coming into the box and will strike through anything as a hitter. He has impressive awareness as a zone coverage defender and is able to match route concepts as they happen in real time, consistently putting himself in position to make a play for the ball. Molden displays excellent competitive toughness to play full-tilt every rep and hustles every moment on the field.

Weaknesses: There aren’t a whole lot of issues with Molden’s on-field ability. He does, however, look like a player that might have hit his athletic peak already. He ran a 4.62 40-yard dash at the Washington Pro Day and that time reaffirms some of what was seen on film. He will struggle to match pure speed down the field and receivers that eat his cushion up and force him to open before he’s ready will have their chances to win vertically down the field. While his versatility as a defender makes him intriguing, it could be somewhat of an issue if he doesn’t land in a scheme that supports it. He isn’t a traditional safety and may not be a legitimate nickel in the NFL as crafty route runners can beat him horizontally at the line of scrimmage. Molden’s success in the NFL will likely come down to where he lands and the creativeness of the defensive coordinator to utilize his strengths and hide his deficiencies.

What I Love: Elijah Molden plays every snap like it might be his last and has top-tier instincts that keep him around the action always. 

NFL Comparison: Damon Arnette

Grade: 75/100

Position Specific Traits:

(key: +, ++, +++ positive scale | -, - -, - - - negative scale)

Athletic Ability: +

Man Coverage: +

Run Support: +

Speed: +

Strength: +

Zone Coverage: ++