2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (CB – TCU)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (CB – TCU)

Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (CB – TCU)

5’9″ – 180 lbs.

Background:

Nephew of NFL great LaDainian Tomlinson. Rotated into the defense a little bit as a freshman, then took over a starting role the following season in what was his strongest collegiate campaign; allowed completions on just 16/49 targets (32.7%) for 192 yards and two touchdowns, breaking up an incredible fourteen throws. Had a solid junior year of 24/47 (51.1%) passing for 389 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and four breakups; was even harder to complete passes against this past season (28/81 for 365 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions), but also committed a staggering fourteen penalties, higher than the previous three seasons combined.

Positives:

Three-year starter with pro bloodlines. Takes snaps on both sides of the field, often in off-coverage, but will also come down and work in press; the team trusted him even against some bigger receivers. Polished corner who plays with a low center of gravity, quick feet, good balance, and pretty good footwork in his backpedal. Matches releases well at the line from press. Patient player who keeps the play in front of him; rarely caught gambling. Processes route combinations well. Quickly sniffs out screens developing. Willing to use his hands and get physical near the line of scrimmage and the boundary. Does a nice job of sticking with opponents on crosses. Flips his hips well when turning and running. Impressive ball skills to make plays when in-phase. Makes tackles quickly to limit yards after the catch. Wrap tackler who’s willing to get involved in run support; breaks down well in the open field. Has the type of skillset to
work in the slot, which he’ll likely be asked to do at the next level.

Negatives:

Undersized for a boundary cornerback but lacks significant experience playing in the slot. Quicker than he is fast or explosive. Doesn’t squeeze the top of routes too much and can be susceptible to quick and timing-based throws. Sometimes turns around rather than into the receiver. Highly penalty-prone as a senior. Physical but can have a hard time dealing with size, ending up catching and riding at times. Some missed tackles due to a lack of length, although he cleaned up his tackling significantly this past year.

Summary:

As a polished three-year starter with strong awareness, it doesn’t require much imagination to project him to the pro level, although it’s likely that some or even many times may view him as a candidate to slide into the slot, somewhere he hasn’t played much in college but which he has all of the tools to handle. Consequently, his stock will largely depend on how much the nickel spot is valued by teams on draft day.

Projection: Round 3-4