After being part of three state championships in high school, Chamarri Conner took his talents to Virginia Tech and delivered a productive career as a fixture for the Hokies’ defense. He started nearly 50 consecutive games and appeared in more than 60 during his career at Virginia Tech. After spending 2019-2021 as a slot/nickel defender, Conner served as a deep safety in 2022. He has appeal as a hybrid slot safety that should be an impact special teams contributor at the next level.
Conner is a smart and physical player. Conner is an enthusiastic tackler that takes his responsibilities in run support seriously. Conner loves to key, trigger, fly to the football, and finish. He is never passive when given opportunities to hit and tackle. He has played primarily in the slot for the Hokies’ defense and he has the mentality and toughness needed to play closer to the ball. Conner is mostly a sound processor and demonstrates sound route anticipation skills in zone coverage. He has sufficient ball skills and he’s capable of making plays on the ball in the passing game. He has the play demeanor that translates well to special teams and he has plenty of experience in every phase for the Hokies. He is regarded as a high football character guy with outstanding leadership traits.
Conner is a sufficient but not overly dynamic athlete. He lacks top-tier twitch and long speed, which leads to some matchup restrictions and limitations for his role. While he is physical and aggressive, missed tackles have been problematic in every season and there hasn’t been growth in developing more consistency. For the number of coverage reps he’s had in college, ideally, he would have more ball production to show for it.
Conner’s ability to play multiple spots in the secondary including from the slot and in the box gives him appeal as a subpackage player at the next level. With more than 800 career snaps on special teams, Conner should be able to deliver quality contributions in four phases of special teams.
Top Reasons to Buy In:
Leadership, experience, and consistency
Competitive toughness and physicality
Versatility on defense and projection to special teams
Top Reasons For Concern:
Modest athletic profile
Ball production
Missed tackles
Size (NFL Combine):
Height: 6′ 0”
Weight: 202 lbs
Arm Length: 31 3/8”
Hand Size: 9”
So I stand by my initial assessment that I think he, along with the rest of the day three picks except Coburn, was brought along specifically to boost special teams, which was abysmal last year.
However, the position that Conner thrives in, is a position that McDuffie has been playing a lot as last season progressed: the nickel corner/joker role.
Also known as L'Jarius Sneed's primary position on the defense.
Sneed is in the last year of his rookie contract, and we know this team adores him. But we also know they've likely got tough cap decisions to make for the coming year and a Chris Jones-sized contract to issue. They may not have what it takes to keep Sneed.
McDuffie has that role played expertly, but Conner feels like an insurance policy there. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Direckshun:
Ready to overreact?
So I stand by my initial assessment that I think he, along with the rest of the day three picks except Coburn, was brought along specifically to boost special teams, which was abysmal last year.
However, the position that Conner thrives in, is a position that McDuffie has been playing a lot as last season progressed: the nickel corner/joker role.
Also known as L'Jarius Sneed's primary position on the defense.
Sneed is in the last year of his rookie contract, and we know this team adores him. But we also know they've likely got tough cap decisions to make for the coming year and a Chris Jones-sized contract to issue. They may not have what it takes to keep Sneed.
McDuffie has that role played expertly, but Conner feels like an insurance policy there.
I agree that Toub needed rookies who had experience on ST’s bc Skyy and McDuffie had their struggles there last yet, but I think that was the kicker.
This kid is a big, strong, aggressive player that isn’t timid. He’s a very diverse player that can be versatile on defense.
In 4 years starting he had 21 TFL’s, 7.5 sacks, 4 INT’s, 19 passes defended and 4 forced fumbles. That looks like a pretty rounded player that isn’t just good at one thing.
Spags loves the Jack of all trades kinda guys. That’s a large part of how his blitzes are so good. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Direckshun:
Ready to overreact?
So I stand by my initial assessment that I think he, along with the rest of the day three picks except Coburn, was brought along specifically to boost special teams, which was abysmal last year.
However, the position that Conner thrives in, is a position that McDuffie has been playing a lot as last season progressed: the nickel corner/joker role.
Also known as L'Jarius Sneed's primary position on the defense.
Sneed is in the last year of his rookie contract, and we know this team adores him. But we also know they've likely got tough cap decisions to make for the coming year and a Chris Jones-sized contract to issue. They may not have what it takes to keep Sneed.
McDuffie has that role played expertly, but Conner feels like an insurance policy there.
I've said across various threads I didn't like the pick, I feel like I've given everyone ample ammo to point and laugh if he pans out...but Im not gonna like this until I see him play most likely.
Missed tackles I can live with more than the limited athletic profile. There were plenty of safeties and CBs that looked more athletic and some equally versatile who went later. I don't think he does what Sneed does, he doesn't have the recovery speed in coverage. With Thornhill going we miss speed not physicality.
But like I say if he's great, awesome, I'll eat crow. If he's a ST guy who ends up being a limited snaps 3rd safety then I'm sure someone will tell me it's a great use of the draft capital. [Reply]