Looks like a good pickup if he can put his injuries behind him.
From NFL.com scouting report:
STRENGTHS Outstanding competitor with plus ball skills. Production was off the charts in 2014. Had 9 interceptions and 16 pass deflections. Explosive through lower body. Instinctive. Can twitch and trigger to break on the ball. Can mirror in space and closes down passing windows. Plays with smooth hips and good balance. Can open hips to turn and run and has good top-end speed. Willing and effective against the run. Maintains leverage against the run and can disengage to make aggressive tackle when necessary. Has good eye discipline and can focus on his man and the quarterback at the same time.
WEAKNESSES Worked primarily in zone and off-man coverage. Needs to show NFL evaluators that he can get in a receiver's pocket and stay there from press-man. Might be considered too small to play outside in the NFL. Three of his four touchdowns allowed came against receivers 6-foot-4 or taller. Smallish frame combined with aggressive tackling could lead to durability concerns.
DRAFT PROJECTION Round 3 or 4
SOURCES TELL US "He has that love of football we look for. He turned down big money as a baseball player to lock in on football, and he plays with passion and with explosive talent." -- AFC South regional scout
NFL COMPARISON Brent Grimes
BOTTOM LINE Golson has the twitch, ball skills and instincts to be an outstanding cornerback in the NFL. Despite playing so much zone in college, there is no reason to believe he can't transition to any coverage asked of him. He's well put-together, but his lack of height could force some teams to view him as a slot-only corner. Golson has Pro Bowl potential.
