Noah

Igbinoghene

Igbinoghene didn’t survive last cuts with the Commanders, but catches on as a depth add in Cleveland. The 2020 first-rounder is entering his age-27 season. The Browns waived Michael Coats Jr. in a corresponding move.

Igbinoghene manned the slot for the Commanders last year — his first season ever with more than 300 coverage snaps — and finished with just a 49.6 PFF coverage grade. Igbinoghene will likely serve a more familiar role as backup defensive back, with recent free agent-signee CB Jonathan Jones penciled in as the team’s slot defensive back starter.

Igbinoghene was drafted in the first round by Miami in 2020. He failed to carve out much of a role with the Dolphins and was traded to Dallas for the final year of his rookie deal. He only appeared in five games for the Cowboys and saw most of his reps on special teams. Igbinoghene could see some more run on defense in Washington but is still slated for mostly special teams duties in his new home.

Strip away the draft capital invested in each of the names and this trade would look a lot more like depth options changing scenery. Igbinoghene has started just five games during his first three seasons in the league and had largely been ineffective when his number was called. He should enter a depth role capable of playing nickel and on the perimeter for a formidable Dallas secondary.

Igbinoghene has started just five games and played 603 defensive snaps since being picked 30th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. We don’t even have a blurb for him between now and the day he was picked, which speaks to his invisibility. He again figures to just be depth for Miami after the Jalen Ramsey trade solidified their secondary.

The Dolphins were already plenty strong at corner with Xavien Howard and Byron Jones already solidified as starters, so expect Igbinoghene to compete for a job as the nickelback. A two-year starter and accomplished track athlete — as noted by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Igbinoghene’s father (Festus) was once the fifth-rated jumper in the world and his mother won bronze at the 1992 Summer Olympics as part of the Nigerian women’s 4x100 relay team — at Auburn, Igbinoghene (5'10/198) actually didn’t make the transition to corner until 2018 but still allowed only 6.9 yards per target as a true snap sponge (89.5%) in his last two seasons. He’s also guaranteed to vie for reps on special teams at the next level after averaging 31.4 yards per return (20/628/2) over his career. Igbinoghene needs more development and may be exposed by savvy route runners early, but he undoubtedly has the traits and athleticism of a high-upside prospect.

The Dolphins were already plenty strong at corner with Xavien Howard and Byron Jones already solidified as starters, so expect Igbinoghene to compete for a job as the nickelback. A two-year starter and accomplished track athlete — as noted by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Igbinoghene’s father (Festus) was once the fifth-rated jumper in the world and his mother won bronze at the 1992 Summer Olympics as part of the Nigerian women’s 4x100 relay team — at Auburn, Igbinoghene (5'10/198) actually didn’t make the transition to corner until 2018 but still allowed only 6.9 yards per target as a true snap sponge (89.5%) in his last two seasons. He’s also guaranteed to vie for reps on special teams at the next level after averaging 31.4 yards per return (20/628/2) over his career. Igbinoghene needs more development and may be exposed by savvy route runners early, but he undoubtedly has the traits and athleticism of a high-upside prospect.

Igbinoghene (5'10/195) improved his vertical jump by three inches over his NFL Scouting Combine mark at his recent Auburn pro day showing, recording a vertical of 40 inches. Igbinoghene is a track star who broke the Alabama state record in the triple jump and was originally recruited as a four-star wide receiver out of high school. He is a physical corner with explosive athleticism that aggressively challenges receivers at the point of catch. His transition from receiver means Igbinoghene is still raw and needs to improve the finesse aspect of his game. He has the physical tools to develop into a starting cornerback in the next level if he can iron out his rough edges.

That jump was three inches higher than what Igbinoghene registered at the NFL Scouting Combine. The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder also managed to cut his 40-yard dash down from 4.48 seconds to 4.47 seconds. It should be noted that that came on a hand-timer, making the result less exact than the combine mark (not that we’re talking a big difference, here). As a prospect, Igbinoghene possesses the requisite base athleticism but is still learning the ropes at cornerback, having just transitioned over to the position from wide receiver last offseason.

A former receiver, Igbinoghene is considered one of the more “volatile” cornerback prospects in the class. We don’t think this 40-yard dash time is going to change that. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound early entry into the draft made several big plays for the Tigers, but his inexperience at corner showed up at times, as well. His Pro Day and workouts will be crucial for his draft stock.