How Lonnie Ballentine Will Fit with the Houston Texans

May 11, 2014   ·   Brian McDonald   ·   Jump to comments

The Houston Texans don't have a big need at safety but decided to take Memphis free safety Lonnie Ballentine anyway as this year's Mr. Irrelevant.
Ballentine is an intriguing height/speed prospect, as Nolan Nawrocki of NFL.com points out:
Exceptional size, length and closing speed. Can get over the top and leverage the field. Plays with emotion. Superb pro day workout, posting some sub-4.4-second 40 times and a 38-inch vertical jump. Flashes straight-line striking ability when he has a clean angle.
If you're going to take a late-round risk on a player, you might as well take a risk on one with plus physical attributes. No player available that late in the draft is going to come in and play right away, but if they have something exceptional about them physically, then I believe they have a better chance to develop if coached up well.
A late-round prospect who was successful in college because of intangibles or because he outworked everyone but was limited physically ...

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