According to the NFL Network's Jason La Canfora, former Raiders cornerback Stanford Routt is planning to visit the Cincinnati Bengals this coming Friday. He is currently visiting the Chiefs in Kansas City and has reportedly been in contact with the Bills as well.
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Jason La CanforaStanford Routt remains in KC for second day of meetings with Chiefs. Still talking to Bills and scheduled to visit Bengals Fri #insideslant
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Routt is considered one of the top free agent cornerbacks this offseason. Last year he intercepted four passes, broke up 15 passes and made 49 tackles. He would be entering his eighth season in the NFL at the age of 28.
ESPN In$ider gives Routt a score of 69 on his scouting report and says that he has excellent potential and has filled many roles in his career.
Routt has filled various roles from full-time starter to nickelback corner and has shown flashes of raw potential. He is an excellent-sized cornerback with rare straight-line speed but needs to learn how to use it. He has a tendency to rely on natural athleticism and speed too often and lets his technique and footwork become secondary. He is most effective when getting up in a press alignment and using his size and long arms to jam or re-route receivers. He needs more work on route recognition and reading the quarterback's eyes. He has a tendency to take extra steps and look a bit stiff when coming out of his pedal to drive on the ball.
Routt sounds as if he'd still be a step down from Johnathan Joseph but he may be a step up from Nate Clements. It's no secret that the Bengals need help at cornerback, and I would think that even if Routt's visit to the Queen City turns into a signing that the Bengals would still draft a cornerback with an early pick.
Check back for more updates throughout the week.
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