How do former Syracuse stars Cisco, Melifonwu fit in NFL?

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Oct 10, 2020; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse’s Ifeatu Melifonwu tackle’s Duke’s Jake Marwede during the third quarter of Saturday’s ACC game at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

With the NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, we caught up with NFL Scout Chris Landry from LandryFootball.com to get his take on Syracuse’s three defensive backs making their way to the NFL.

Landry started as an assistant coach at LSU in the 1980s, and has moved on to various roles as coach, scout and administrator at the college football and NFL levels. He’s operated LandryFootball.com since 2014, and gave his thoughts on Andre Cisco, Trill Williams and Ifantu Melifonwu this week’s edition of The Juice on the Cuse podcast, presented by SNY.tv.

On Cisco landing with the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 65th pick of the NFL Draft:

There’s certainly a need there. He’s certainly a guy that can help them. He’s a guy with range, a guy with toughness. He’s got good instictions. It’s a team that’s not very good that has a lot of open spots so he has a chance to compete there.

On Melifonwu going to the Detroit Lions with the 101st pick of the NFL Draft:

He can contribute in their sub packages. That’s a team that’s rebuilding with a new staff and new coach. The playmaking ability, the measurables, they like with what they want to do defensively. It’s a good fit. Like Andre, neither one of those teams is good, so he’ll compete. But how early? It depends on how they develop and how they pick up things.

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On Trill Williams not getting drafted, but signing an UDFA contract with the New Orleans Saints:

He had a grade that could put him in or out. He’s got good size. He can play multiple spots. He’s not a sound fit in any one area, but he’s a good fit in lots of different areas. Finding his niche is going to be the key. He played a lot of nickel, and I think that’s where he finds his fit, personally.

Afterwards, TJO editor in chief Brad Bierman joins me to talk about Syracuse lacrosse’s chances in the 2021 NCAA Tournament for lacrosse.

Catch up on all episodes of “The Juice on the Cuse Podcast,” a Syracuse Orange podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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About Wes Cheng 2907 Articles
Wes has worked for Rivals.com covering the New York Knicks, as well as for Scout.com covering Syracuse athletics. Wes has also been a contributing writer for the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), for SportsNet New York (SNY) as a news desk writer covering all of New York professional sports, and reported on the NBA and MLB for the New York Sportscene. A native of Long Island, New York, Wes graduated from Syracuse University in 2005 with a degree in journalism. Contact him at wes[at]sujuiceonline.com.