LOOK: Bleacher Report has high regards for Lions’ cornerback Darius Slay

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NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) celebrates after making an interception during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Lions win 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday, Bleacher Report went through and ranked the best players at every position for the 2017 NFL season.

Most notably for the Detroit Lions, was cornerback Darius Slay. Slay came in ranked No. 3 overall, and No. 1 in the NFC, on a list that ranked the best corners from No. 1-76.

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Slay was given an overall grade of 85/100 points. Here are a couple of quotes from the scouts who commented on Slay’s 2017 performance:

“Prior to this season, the biggest knock on Darius Slay’s play was the lack of high-end ball production. But that massively changed as Slay took advantage of the targets load he was given. The NFL leader in interceptions and passes defensed at the position, Slay was a slam dunk All-Pro selection. He’s not quite the stickiest player in man coverage, lacking the elite fluidity that others have, but he’s proven to be excellent playing off the line of scrimmage. His numbers fairly represent his mastery of timing and ball awareness. -NFL1000 DB Scout, Ian Wharton

Slay brings to mind former Patriots/Eagles/Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel with his ability to not only time his close coverage with receivers after the snap in off-coverage concepts, but his uncanny ability to time the jump of a route to get the ball. Additionally, Slay has a great sense of a quarterback’s weaknesses—he seems to know when a QB doesn’t have the arm to make a particular throw, or tends to be inaccurate to a certain part of the field. His success is an obvious example of the value of tape study and the understanding of an opponent’s tendencies and weaknesses.”

-NFL1000 Lead Scout Doug Farrar

That’s some high praise for Slay, who was also named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career this season.