New York Giants Draft Profile: DB Gervarrius Owens

Nick Falato has your scouting report on Giants seventh-round pick Gervarrius Owens.

Author:
Nick Falato
Publish date:
May 3, 2023 9:34 AM EDT

In this story:

Gervarrius Owens, DB

Height: 6-foot
Weight: 195 lbs.
Class: 6th-Year-Senior
School: Houston
Age: 23 (10/14/1999)

Combine Measurements

Arm length: 32 ⅛”
Wingspan: 78”
Hand size: 9½”
40-yard-dash: 4:56
10-yard-split: 1.54
Vertical jump: 37½”
Broad jump: 10’5”
Short-shuttle: 4.09
Three-cone: 6.75
Bench press: 15

A productive four-year letterman high school football player at Southmoore High School in Moore, Oklahoma, Owens played wide receiver and safety, ran track, and wrestled in high school. Owens was the 93rd safety and the 21st Oklahoma recruit during the 2017 cycle. He was a three-star recruit that initially committed to Memphis. He de-committed and signed with Kansas State in 2017.

Notables

Owens did not play in 2017 and decided to leave Kansas State for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. Owens had 92 total tackles and three interceptions at the JUCO level before transferring to a school that heavily recruited him (Houston). Owens blocked two punts in 2019 - his first year on campus. He was First-Team All-AAC in 2021 and Second-Team All-AAC in 2022 as a team captain.

Owens finished his college career with 208 tackles, 7.5 for a loss, two forced fumbles, 22 passes defended, four interceptions, and half a sack. Owens attended practice at the East-West Shrine Game, but his week was cut short due to the birth of his son.

Strengths

Solid height and length
Good overall athlete; explosive and can change directions well
Sufficent fluidity lower half allows him to open/close
Solid range and speed to play middle-of-the-field-closed, single high, defenses

Almost intercepted Navy on a speed turn vs. a deep over (3rd & 8 in RZ)
Range was on display against Texas Tech

Solid overall in man and zone coverage
Showed high processing of route concepts in man coverage

Peeled off flat assignment vs. Temple to almost secure an INT against the corner route

Solid ability to get out of his break when planting and driving downhill
Very good ball tracking ability - plays through catch points well
Uses his length and hand-eye coordination well to force PBUs
Good temperament in run support -- sub-optimal technique
When he is more controlled, he comes down with authority and operates well as an alley defender - has to wrap up more
Good speed in pursuit
Very competitive
Has experience playing all over the backend - had a lot of assignments/responsibilities
Team captain - major special teams upside (blocked two punts in 2019)
Started 42 of 46 games for Houston

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Weaknesses

Sub-200 pounds
Inconsistent angles from depth (TE touchdown vs. Memphis)

This was an issue in run support and coverage

When he does take questionable angles, his athletic ability won’t be enough to reposition himself against NFL talent - must do a better job judging space
Had tunnel vision one too many times (Tulsa: Q2, 7:39 is one example)
Play strength is adequate -- inconsistent pop-on contact
Tackling technique must improve - had a 17.8% missed tackle rate in 2022
High tackler -- surrendered unnecessary yards
Wild and uncontrollable tackling style -- needs to be more balanced
Wish he turned some of those PBUs into INTs

Summary

Gervarrius Owens is a versatile defensive back who handled many responsibilities as the free safety -- and defensive captain -- of Houston’s defense. Owens played the post, deep half, Tampa-2-Robber, buzzed down, aligned in the box, over the slot, and frequently manned running backs out of the backfield from depth.

Owens lacks consistency as a tackler - and in many areas of his game - but he is willing in run support, just uncontrolled. He is a long athlete with special teams upside, and his ability to handle many responsibilities can be leveraged in Wink Martindale’s defense. If his eyes, tackling mechanics, and ability to play from depth can be refined, then he’ll have the ability to carve out a role on defense. He’s another good developmental swing.