STRENGTHS
Deionte has very good cover skills and this alone will allow him to play more than one position in the defensive backfield. He is quick to support the run and has the athleticism talent to change direction well enough to cover big receivers. He has excellent size with those long arms and legs that teams are looking for in their defensive backs. He has solid speed and works well with his teammates on defense. Deionte is always looking for the ball on every play. He does a good job tackling in space but the truth is Deionte cover skills are the impressive aspect of his game, and make him a player who can be used all over your defensive back field.
CONCERNS
Deionte struggles when used in single free safety position. It’s a technique issue that can be corrected. It’s a matter of timing his reads better. He has made plays, playing this position but he also has been late to help and has taken poor angles and this will allow an accurate quarterback at the next level to beat him deep. As a safety in single free safety coverage, you can not get beat deep and you cannot play sloppy thinking the pass rush in going to bail you out. Also, Deionte is going to have to clean up his tackling for the next level. Although he gets the job done, he is a bit sloppy and this will be magnified at the next level.
TALENT BOARD ROUND 1.97
Deionte has good enough cover skills to be used on the outside in the Red Zone. He can also shut down those receiving tight ends, used up the slot and he will cover those pesky running backs out of the back field or when they line up in the slot also. I like him in coverage and although he is a sloppy tackler in open space as I stated before, he does get the job done. Deionte is a ball hawk and always looking to make the big play. Sometimes this can be counter productive but I think as he matures on the field and gains some notoriety he will learn to let the play come to him rather than force the issue. That being said, you don’t pass on defensive players who make plays and Deionte makes plays because, he can be used in coverage all over your defensive back field.
