Tony Grimes CB UNLV | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Tony Grimes CB UNLV
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 08/28/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.30 seconds (98%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 22.7 DOB: 04/08/2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |
Last Updated: 08/28/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.30 seconds (98%*) | |
Age: 22.7 DOB: 04/08/2002 | |
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Overall Rating: | 80.4 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
Offense Rating: |
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73% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 84.2 | |
Tackling: |
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63% |
Run Defense: |
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56% |
Coverage: |
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69% |
Zone: |
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68% |
Man/Press: |
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66% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#236
Position rank:
#44
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College Games: 44 College Snaps: 2290 | ||
College Combine Results
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Ovr Rank:
#48
College Combine Results
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Josh Jobe - Alabama |
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76% |
Kelvin Joseph - Kentucky |
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76% |
Jakorian Bennett - Maryland |
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74% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Tony Grimes, a cornerback from UNLV, entered the college ranks as one of the most highly-touted defensive back recruits in recent memory. A consensus five-star prospect out of Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Grimes reclassified from 2021 to 2020 to enroll early at North Carolina. His journey has been marked by flashes of brilliance interspersed with periods of inconsistency.At North Carolina, Grimes quickly made his presence felt, appearing in all 12 games as a true freshman and earning four starts. He recorded 14 tackles, 4 pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception in his debut season. His sophomore campaign saw him start all 13 games, amassing 47 tackles and tying for fifth in the ACC with nine pass breakups. Grimes' junior year brought 36 tackles, seven pass breakups, and a forced fumble across 11 starts.
After three years in Chapel Hill, Grimes transferred to Texas A&M but was sidelined for the entire 2023 season due to injury. He then made his way to UNLV, where he aims to showcase the potential that once had him pegged as a future first-round NFL draft pick. Throughout his college career, Grimes has tallied 97 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and an interception.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Possesses game-breaking speed with the ability to erase separation and close on the ball, making him a true asset in man coverage situations
- Boasts prototypical size and length for the boundary corner position, allowing him to match up effectively with bigger receivers
- Demonstrates exceptional hip fluidity and change of direction skills, enabling seamless transitions in and out of his backpedal
- Shows advanced ball skills at the point of attack, using his length to disrupt passing lanes and contest catches
- Versatile defensive back with experience in various coverage schemes, making him adaptable to multiple NFL defensive systems
- Displays willingness to mix it up in run support, showing potential to develop into a complete corner at the next level
- Possesses natural instincts in coverage, often anticipating routes and putting himself in position to make plays on the ball
- Blue-chip pedigree suggests a high ceiling, with room for significant development under professional coaching
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Production has been inconsistent throughout his college career, failing to consistently dominate despite his elite physical tools and recruit status
- Lacks the ball-hawking production expected from a top corner prospect, with limited interceptions raising questions about his playmaking ceiling
- Press technique needs refinement, as he relies too heavily on physicality and can draw flags in tight coverage situations
- Run support engagement is inconsistent, needing to improve his angles and tackling technique when coming downhill to fill lanes
- Durability concerns stemming from a missed season could impact his draft stock and require thorough medical evaluation by NFL teams
Scouting Report: Summary
Tony Grimes brings a tantalizing blend of measurables and raw talent to the cornerback position. His rare combination of size, speed, and fluidity will have NFL scouts salivating over his potential as a shutdown corner. Grimes' ability to mirror receivers in man coverage and his experience in zone schemes make him a scheme-versatile prospect who could fit into various NFL defensive backfields.However, the tape doesn't always match the traits with Grimes. His coverage skills, while flashing brilliance, lack the consistency expected from a blue-chip prospect. The absence of elite ball production is a red flag that teams will need to investigate. Is it a matter of technique, or are there underlying issues with his route recognition and play diagnosis?
In the final analysis, Grimes is a high-ceiling, low-floor prospect. His athletic profile and flashes of playmaking ability make him an intriguing day-two selection for teams with a strong defensive backs coach. With proper development, Grimes could blossom into a valuable starter capable of matching up with NFL receivers. However, the risk of him not reaching his potential is real, making his eventual draft position an interesting subplot to watch during the draft.
Written By:
Kev Thomas (MWC)
Tony Grimes percentiles vs other Cornerbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Tony Grimes (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
264.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
53.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.