Will Lee III is an athletic freak with elite man-coverage skills. He also has a high motor with a high IQ., and his stock may be rising rapidly.
Lee III's relative athletic score (RAS) was measured, and he was elite in composite explosion. His vertical was measured at 42.00, and his broad was measured at 1100. This ranks 150 out of 2279 CB from 1987 to 2026.
It's easy to see why Lee III can be the steal of the draft, but these numbers may indicate that he might not be considered a "steal" for much longer.
Will Lee III's athleticism is being put on display at the NFL Combine
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein says Lee III has exceptional athleticism, but just a few tweaks to his game can put him over the edge of other CBs.
"Boundary cornerback with good length and catch-disruption, but inconsistent instincts in coverage. Lee is better in man coverage than he is in zone, but he can handle both. Pure speed can break away from him, so he’ll need help on the roof as a pro. He has the length and timing to make plays on the football. However, he needs to play with more anticipation to match breaks and trigger more quickly from depth."Lance Zierlein
He also played an even mix of zone and man, and he was a huge reason why a lot of WRs were frustrated this season, as Lee III and Dezz Ricks emerged as the best at their position in the SEC.
Pro Football Focus has Lee III as the 112th-best player on their draft board, and the most likely team PFF has him going to is Pittsburgh. If Jalen Ramsey continues his road in Pittsburgh, this would be a nice mentor for Lee III's career.
Good to see Lee III getting the attention he deserves. It looks like he could be as high as a late third-round pick.