Is Marshon Lattimore really that good?
Did Lattimore benefit from the combination of fortune and a weak schedule?
Interceptions
Despite the small sample size, his interceptions tell a small story, and it’s not a good one.
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- A tipped ball versus Tulsa created a gift-wrapped interception that any starting CB in FBS could have grabbed.
- An atrocious throw in the Tulsa game created another and caused serious concerns about the Tulsa QB’s vision.
- When the CB is in front of the WR, it’s probably not a good idea to lead the WR with a pass. Someone might want to tell the Oklahoma QB this little tidbit.
- A simple miscommunication led to Lattimore’s fourth pick. The break happened, the WR went one way, and the QB threw it the other way. Just picture one of the INTs Cutler threw to Martellus Bennett and you get the idea.
Weak WR competition
Of the thirteen opponents Ohio State faced, nine provided no real threat at WR.
- Bowling Green – Quick, name a receiver on Bowling Green, or anyone for that matter. Didn’t think so.
- Rutgers – They were statistically one of the worst two or three offenses in the nation.
- Tulsa – A high-powered offense doesn’t mean there is a star on the team. Their best WR will likely be an undrafted free agent (UDFA).
- Nebraska – Traditional run teams don’t traditionally have high star receivers. The top guy is a future UDFA.
- Northwestern – The best they can do is a former walk-on who will not be drafted (i.e. UDFA).
- Michigan State – They’re normally good, right? Not the WRs. Sensing a trend?
- Indiana – The Hoosiers have a Wes Welker clone, but there is no way to know how well Lattimore stacks up since he doesn’t cover the slot.
- Wisconsin – There are three things associated with Wisconsin football: running the ball, cheese, and running the ball.
- Maryland – The Terrapins have ugly uniforms and run more than they pass.
Four solid opponents
So that leaves Penn State, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Clemson.
- Penn State – Chris Godwin is a legit talent who may do well in the NFL. He is certainly not, however, a WR who will challenge the top corners. Godwin is a post-up WR, that’s it.
- Michigan – The Wolverines had a down year and ran the ball more than they passed. They provided no real competition at wide out.
- Oklahoma – Dede Westbrook is one of the top two WRs who have faced Lattimore this year. Lattimore didn’t cover Westbrook most of the game, but when he did, this happened:
- Clemson – Lattimore is the #1 CB on Ohio State, but he sure didn’t guard Mike Wiliams (i.e. the #1 WR) when they played the Tigers. Lattimore may have played well, but he was matched with Clemson’s third or fourth most dangerous threat the entire game.
Long story short, Marshon Lattimore isn’t worth the #3 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and the Chicago Bears just aren’t a good fit. If Ryan Pace and John Fox want to help the team, they’d be better off going a different direction.