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Decobie Durant

Decobie Durant Player Profile

Summary

Decobie Durant was selected in Round 4 (#142 Overall) in the 2022 Draft out of South Carolina State University. Durant is a quick, instinct-driven cornerback with strong ball skills and a track record of making plays despite being undersized. Coming out of South Carolina State, he posted an official 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds and consistently demonstrated keen anticipation, fluid hips, and a willingness to play on the edge of his size/length limitations. However, his frame (listed around 5′9″–5′10″, ~174-180 lbs) and shorter arms raise questions about how well he can contend with larger receivers or hold up in physical press/run games at the NFL level.

Strengths

  • Highly fluid hips and change-of-direction agility: Durant’s movement profile allows him to stay in phase, flip his hips well in coverage and mirror receivers more effectively than many smaller-corner prospects. PFSN

  • Ball-skills and play-making instincts: He shows an ability to read routes, trust his eyes, anticipate throws and make strong plays on the ball (interceptions, deflections). NFL Draft Buzz

  • Strong awareness in zone coverage and back-line positioning: He has shown competence reading quarterback eyes, tracking deep passes, and staying disciplined in zone alignments rather than simply reacting. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Competitive nature and production in smaller-school context: Despite playing at an HBCU (South Carolina State), he distinguished himself as a standout defender and earned praise for his toughness and high motor. Los Angeles Rams

  • Return-unit/special-teams upside: Given his speed, instincts and aggressiveness, he has the traits to contribute on special teams early, which enhances his value. PFSN

Weaknesses

  • Size / length limitations in key physical matchups: His height (~5′9″–5′10″), weight (~174-180 lbs), and arm span are below prototypical for outside boundary corners, which constrains his ability to contest larger receivers at the catch point. PFSN

  • Press-man release and physical jam consistency: In tight press or against physical route-runners, his ability to win the rep and hold leverage may be challenged due to lack of mass and functional strength. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Run-support and block-disengagement concerns: While fast and agile, his lighter frame means he can struggle to shed blocks or hold up in downhill run-snap engagements. PFSN

  • Recovery speed over top may be borderline when late-reacting: Although he has good short area change-of-direction, some evaluators highlight that he may lack elite top-end speed or long stride recovery compared to true burner receivers. SI

  • Competition and level of college-play caveats: Coming from an FCS program (HBCU), some of his production is viewed with caution in terms of translating directly to NFL-level consistency against top competition. NFL Draft Buzz

Fit & Outlook

Durant fits best in a defense that can take advantage of his quickness, instincts and ball-skills, while mitigating his size/length disadvantages. Ideal schemes will place him in roles where he can play in off-man or zone coverage, work in the slot or in nickel matchups, and avoid being forced into constant boundary isolation on big outside receivers without linebacker or safety help. A team that uses multiple coverages, moves him around alignment, and emphasizes sub-package usage (nickel/dime) will maximize his value. Looking ahead, his outlook is promising. His floor is that of a solid rotational corner who contributes on special teams, fills nickel roles, and occasionally competes for starting snaps in sub-packages. His upside includes developing into a legitimate starter in the slot or even boundary if he adds functional strength, improves his press-man technique, and demonstrates consistent tackling/run-support growth. The main risk is mismatches in physical matchups or being deployed in roles where his size is exposed without supporting scheme structure. If he lands in the right system and continues his development trajectory, he offers a high-leverage value as a play-making corner with upside beyond his draft slot.