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Florida State CB Ronald Darby meeting with New Orleans Saints

By Andrew Schuster

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Both Sean Payton and Rob Ryan were in attendance representing the New Orleans Saints at Florida State‘s pro day.  Of course QB Jameis Winston stole the spotlight with cameras focused on him for a majority of Tuesday’s drills, but that didn’t keep cornerback Ronald Darby from shining.

Darby, one of the top corners in this year’s rookie class, is scheduled to meet and work out with the Saints.  The Black and Gold look to have solidified their secondary with the addition of Brandon Browner, but a cornerback is still a top need in this year’s draft with a question mark at the position after Browner and Keenan Lewis.

Solid at the combine, Darby stood behind his abilities again at FSU’s pro day.  Running a 4.38 40-yard dash (No. 2 among CBs) in February, he showed it again Tuesday while also impressing once again in his drills — his stock is sure to rise.

With superb speed and quickness, and a nice change of direction, Ronald Darby has the potential to be a press-coverage master at the next level. The former high school track star may be shorter than preferred, but he is certainly not undersized and shows great weight distribution with a solid-built frame.

Darby has been criticized for his lack of toughness, but that is something that can be enhanced under the proper care of a solid coaching staff.  He likes to stay on top of opponents and often relies on his speed and press instincts, which sometimes affects his execution, allowing receptions underneath.  Again, this is something that can be improved on the practice field.

In 2014, Ronald Darby started all 14 games and recorded a career-high 43 tackles, as well as four pass breakups and a forced fumble and was an All-ACC selection (third team) for the second-straight year.

Since the scouting combine came to a close, the former Seminole has made a climb up numerous draft boards.  That will likely happen again after an exceptional pro day.  He’s speedy, nimble, solid built and has man and zone capabilities that could make for a nice option down on the bayou.

The last Florida State cornerback drafted by New Orleans did’t pan out so well.  Patrick Robinson, who recently signed as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers, was drafted by the Black and Gold in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

With two first-round picks (13 and 31) and the No. 44 overall pick in the second round, the New Orleans Saints’ chances of getting to Ronald Darby after that are very slim.  The defensive back is also scheduled to meet with two Saints’ division rivals — the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers.

Next: Saints CB Brian Dixon Arrested

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