Tony Grimes NFL Draft Scouting Report

Size:

Height: 6’0” | Weight: 190 lbs

Accomplishments: 

• 2021 All-ACC Honorable Mention • Five-star recruit

“Tony Grimes is a long, rangy prospect that has a skill set to progress into one of the premier cover corners in the 2024 class”

Strengths:

• Arm length
• Excellent spatial awareness
• Dominant press-man flashes
• Elite trigger out of backpedal
• Long speed
• Patience

Concerns:

• Quick to open hips
• Average tackler
• Run support

In-play Film Analysis: 

Tony Grimes is an impressive cover corner that has the traits to become a high-level impact defender. As a fluid, long athlete, he can consistently challenge wide receivers on the outside. At North Carolina, Grimes played in a zone-heavy scheme where he is patient and touted the spatial awareness to limit anything in his area. A long strider with an explosive trigger, Grimes’ speed and hand usage allow him to constantly remain in-phase with wideouts. 

In man, his wingspan can overwhelm receivers. He plays with a low center of gravity and rarely takes a false step that allows separation. As a good athlete, Grimes has an advanced level of awareness at full speed to escort receivers to the boundary and instincts to swat passes out of the air when targeted in deeper portions. Ball production potential is high. 

Concerns remain about his tackling in one-on-one scenarios, where he dives at ankles instead of form tackling. He possesses slow eyes at times, limiting his impact on concepts away from his assignment. Hips can open prematurely, which limits effectiveness against timing routes and quick hitters. 

Overall, Grimes is an explosive defender in both man and zone and has the traits to become a high-level starter at the next level. 

Prospect Projection: Day 2 – Winning Starter

Written By: Ryan Fowler

Last Updated: June 1, 2023

Exposures: Notre Dame (22), Miami (22), UVA (22)

Tony Grimes’ NFL Draft Scouting Report will be updated by Draft Network throughout the season. Add him to your big board here.