Ifeatu Melifonwu 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Name: Ifeatu Melifonwu

College: Syracuse

Height: 6025

Weight: 212

Overall Rank: No. 107 overall

Position Rank: CB14

Strengths: Ifeatu Melifonwu has excellent size, length, and weight at the cornerback position. One of the things that stands out with Melifonwu is that his size and length doesn’t interfere with his athletic ability as a defender. He has great closing burst, good enough agility, fluid hips; and Melifonwu has great control of his feet, especially great given size and frame. He does a great job reacting on quick throws, and he never seems to panic when a receiver has a step on him. Plays the position calm and strong.  

Weaknesses: He isn’t a natural moving in reverse. He backpedals in an awkward way that inhabits his ability to be quick off the line. This could be a technique issue that Melifonwu could improve at the next level, or there’s a chance he just isn’t super fluid moving in reverse.  

What I Love: The athletic ability mixed with the physical traits is what stands out for me. Melifonwu is a strong, physical, athletic cornerback who has every trait a team could ask for in a starting outside cornerback. He has to improve several details to his game; but if he can tighten up a few bad habits and techniques – he has a chance to be special at the next level. 

NFL Comparison: Trumaine Johnson

Grade: 74/100

Position Specific Traits:
(key: +, ++, +++ positive scale | -, - -, - - - negative scale)

Athletic Ability: ++

Man Coverage: +

Run Support: +

Speed: +

Strength: ++

Zone Coverage: +