STRENGTHS - With excellent height and long arms, Amerson looks the part of the tall cornerback that every NFL team is looking for. Aligning off the receiver in "off" and "zone" coverage, Amerson is consistently productive reading the quarterback/pass correctly. Able to plant, drive and close quickly from off alignment, Amerson is often able to get to receiver in time to either make a play on the ball or deliver a hard hit right after the catch. His loose hips, smooth athleticism and size allow him to cover most receivers well in tight man coverage and with his long arms he has the ability to reach in front of receiver to break up pass. He really excels lining up off receiver with help over the top, so that he can focus on coming up the field to make plays on the ball. Unlike many cornerbacks, he has consistently shown a willingness to come up the field quickly in run support and on short passes in front of him. When he stays over feet and under control he can be a strong, physical wrap-up tackler. Natural hands, ball skills and jumping ability allow Amerson to high point and intercept passes with ease. Experienced playing on special teams coverage units, Amerson will contribute on teams while developing as a cornerback.
WEAKNESSES - While Amerson is quick and agile, he lacks the elite playing speed and explosive burst that top level cornerbacks usually possess. His lack of top end speed will hinder his ability to stay with fast receivers on deep routes and keep him from catching up if he allows separation. Relying on athleticism has allowed Amerson to shine at NC State, but if he does not improve his footwork/technique he will not be as productive in the NFL as he has been in college. He generally uses a side pedal/shuffle and is not quick to transition out of it, which hinders his abiltiy to close as quickly as he is physically capable of on passes. Although he is willing to come up and tackle, he tends to get out of control and misses tackles he is in position to make.
SUMMARY - After a breakout 2011 season, Amerson was viewed by many as a potential top ten pick in the 2013 Draft. However, as I began breaking down the film it became clear that he lacks the top end speed and catch up burst that premier cornerbacks have. While he primarily played cornerback at NC State, with his size, long arms, willinging to hit, instincts and ball skills he will likely be considered by many teams as a safety. His versatility adds to his value because he can be moved around within the defense to help them deal with the different match-ups that opposing offenses try to put them in. Overall, I would advise Amerson to stay in school for his senior season because with improved footwork he could produce at a higher level, which would lead to him being drafted higher. He reminds me of current Seahawks' cornerback Brandon Browner and is the reason that I would draft him in the third round. I believe he can become a quality starting cornerback who offers excellent versatility to defense and can contribute on special teams.