Sobo's Players of Interest #5: Antwaun Molden

After striking gold with Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald last year, will Phil Savage find similar CB value this year? That answer may be tied to this one: Will the physically talented Antwaun Molden still be available in Round 4?

Antwaun Molden, CB, Eastern Kentucky

Sobo Sez: Physically, there are few prospects as intriguing as this small school player, a fascinating potential addition to the Browns secondary. 

Molden stands almost 6 feet and 1 inch tall and weighs in at 198 pounds.  Then, factor in a forty yard dash time of 4.37 seconds at the Combine which turned heads.  Then ponder the fact that he completed 23 repetitions on the bench press which were best among all cornerbacks and safeties.

But wait…there is still more! 

The Eastern Kentucky product finished in the top five percent in every statistical category measured among secondary prospects during the NFL’s annual meat market.

For Browns fans, Molden has the added allure of deep northern Ohio roots.  Starting his high school career at Warren Harding, Molden then transferred to Cleveland Glenville to compete with the best.   Molden participated in track and field and was part of record-breaking relay teams at Glenville that included local icon Ted Ginn, Jr. 

Molden's collegiate career began at Toledo where he garnered some playing time at both corner and safety as a freshman.  Wanting more playing time, the Rocket became a Colonel by transferring to Eastern Kentucky. Quietly, the senior had a solid but unspectacular final season registering 70 total tackles, 2 interceptions, and 9 passes broke up. 

Molden certainly has all the physical tools to be a very talented cornerback at the next level, but teams and their fans have to wonder if he is more workout warrior than football player.   One thing is for certain... once considered a late rounder, Molden is now solidly slotted as a mid round selection.

Tom Marino, NFL Scout: Toledo transfer who has lined up at both corner and safety. Also has run sprints and track. Has excellent size and speed to go along with excellent quickness and athletic ability. Equally impressive in press and when working off.  Showed explosive hips, quick feet, and the speed to match up with speed receivers. Just didn't see A-1 ball skills and play making ability.  He is not there yet, but has too much physical talent not to play. Round # 3 to 4.

Chris Steuber, Scout.com Draft Analyst: Molden is a physical press corner who has shown good balance and recovery speed throughout all of his postseason performances. He ran a better-than-expected forty time at the combine (4.40) and led all corners with 23 reps on the bench. His quick feet and explosive vertical leap (37.5 inches) didn’t hurt his cause either. A seventh round/free agent type coming into the year now has his sights set on day one.