CB, Memphis
Twitter handle: @SteepDiesel
Rankings: NFLDraftScout: 75th-ranked CB, #739 player overall, free-agent grade.
Scouts Inc: 100th-ranked CB, rated as a free agent. Grade: 30, borderline draft prospect.
Biography/honors:
2012: Transferred to Memphis. Started 10 of 12 games. 42 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 5 pass break-ups, 3 fumble recoveries, one returned for a TD.
2011: (Missouri) Played in all 13 games, starting one. 21 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, an interception and 2 pass break-ups. Primarily a nickel or dime back at Mizzou.
2010: (Missouri) Played in all 13 games, with 5 tackles.
2009: First team all-Academic Big 12. Played in all 13 games for Missouri, with 15 tackles, 7 pass break-ups and a sack/fumble.
2008: redshirted.
Major: graduated from Mizzou with a bachelor's in business management and was a graduate student at Memphis.
Injuries: none reported.
Pro day results: (NFL Combine cornerback averages in parentheses)
4.51 40 (4.49)
1.51 10-yard split
35.5” vertical jump (35.5")
10'3" broad jump (10'3")
6.88 3-cone drill (6.88)
4.12 20-yard shuttle (4.16)
15 bench press (13)
Positives: Physical corner who looks very comfortable in zone coverage. Anticipates well on swing passes and screens. Doesn't get fooled much by fakes, changes direction well when he has to. Excellent nose for the ball, tackles with forcing a turnover in mind. Strong in run support. Reads the run well. Nice closing speed. Strong, fundamentally solid tackler who plays like he likes to hit. Very athletic and good at avoiding blocks. Strong upper body and very good ball skills. Breaks up a lot of passes. Goes for the ball all the time and is successful at stripping it out. Can turn and run with receiver. Doesn't get out-muscled for jump balls. Doesn't give up separation by getting out-muscled by receiver. Has potential as a blitzer. Pro day numbers as good as a lot of DBs who were drafted.
Negatives: Doesn't appear to have played a lot of press-cover. (It's no wonder the Rams like him - on his highlights he's 10 yards off the receiver most every snap.) Gets too physical downfield - he'll get flags he didn't get in college for making too much contact. Questions about his initial burst and deep speed need to be answered. Tips off his blitzes a little bit but that should be an easy issue to correct. Never cracked the Missouri starting lineup and wasn't on their first team when he transferred.
Compares to: Trumaine Johnson. It's an imperfect match; TruJo is bigger and played much more press-cover in college, but I still see a lot in common in how the two play.
Fun Facts: Another St. Louis native in the Rams' secondary - Robert graduated from DeSmet. He also trained at Elite Football Academy, coached a 4th-grade flag football team there last year, and is their first player to become a Ram.
RamView: The more I look at Steeples, the more I wonder why he wasn't drafted. He looks for all the world like he should be a solid defensive back in the pros. I think he stands a good chance of sticking as a fifth corner who could contribute at safety in a pinch. Like several other defensive backs in camp, if he shows well on special teams in August, he should still be around in September.
Chance of making team: 35%.
Sources: NFLDraftScout, University of Memphis athletics, University of Missouri athletics, ESPN.com, STLToday, St. Louis Rams, YouTube
Photo: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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