American Football

Max Melton is a feisty cornerback that could play wherever the Commanders need him

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Northwestern v Rutgers
Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2024 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders

Max Melton, CB
School: Rutgers | Conference: Big Ten
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 5’11” / 187 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Rounds 2-3

Player Comparison: Robert Alford

College Statistics

Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
2020 Rutgers Big Ten FR DB 7 18 3 21 1.0 0.0 0 0 0 1 1 0
*2021 Rutgers Big Ten FR DB 10 19 6 25 1.5 0.0 3 46 15.3 1 5 1 0
2022 Rutgers Big Ten SO 12 23 10 33 2.0 0.0 2 1 0.5 0 10 1 0 0 0
*2023 Rutgers Big Ten SR DB 12 21 11 32 4.0 1.0 3 5 1.7 0 6 1 0 0 1
Career Rutgers 81 30 111 8.5 1.0 8 52 6.5 1 22 4 0 0 1
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/13/2024.
Punt & Kick Returns Table
Punt Ret Kick Ret
Year School Conf Class Pos G Ret Yds Avg TD Ret Yds Avg TD
2020 Rutgers Big Ten FR DB 7 0 0 0 0 0 0
*2021 Rutgers Big Ten FR DB 10 1 14 14.0 0 0 0 0
2022 Rutgers Big Ten SO 12 1 28 28.0 0 0 0 0
*2023 Rutgers Big Ten SR DB 12 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career Rutgers 2 42 21.0 0 0 0 0
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/13/2024.

Player Overview

Athletics flow through Malachi “Max” Melton’s veins. His father played football and his mother played basketball at Rutgers. His big brother Bo starred at wide receiver for Rutgers before making an impact in the NFL last season. So after finishing high school as a three-star recruit, Max became a Scarlet Knight like his entire family. He would start six games as a true freshman in 2020. This set the stage for a breakout season in 2021 where he had a team-leading three interceptions and a blocked kick. He continued being productive in year three with a nation-leading three blocked kicks to go along with two interceptions and a career high 10 PBUs. In his senior year, Melton forced four turnovers on his way to being named All-Big Ten honorable mention.

Strengths

  • Patient through route stem
  • Possesses speed to carry receivers deep
  • Very good read and react skills in zone coverage
  • Aggressive at catch point
  • Ball production; led team in interceptions twice
  • Willing tackler with decent amount of thump for position
  • Special teams value; three blocked kicks

Weaknesses

  • High backpedal impedes his change in direction
  • Can be too aggressive and tricked by double moves
  • Shallow crosses seem to give him trouble
  • Needs to be more physical getting off blocks
  • Effectiveness of press coverage is up and down

Let’s See His Work

How He Fits on the Commanders

Even after investing significant draft capital in the position, the Commanders still have needs at cornerback. First round pick Emmanuel Forbes, second round pick Quan Martin, and third round pick Benjamin St-Juste are projected to start after losing Kendall Fuller in free agency. Washington signed Michael Davis, James Pierre, and Noah Igbinoghene,but definitely could look to the draft to solidify the position.

Max Melton looks likely to continue the tradition of successful Scarlet Knights to play in an NFL secondary. His aggressive nature has paid off well for him with his ability to force incompletions, turnovers, and make tackles. He needs to dial it back a little bit to not be fooled by savvy receivers. If he can do that and improve some areas of his technique, he would give the Commanders inside-outside versatility. While the team figures out whether Forbes, Martin, and St. Juste are building blocks for the future, Melton can be a key special teams contributor.

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