Roger McCreary on how the SEC has readied him for the NFL, shoots down weakness question

Auburn Tigers cornerback Roger McCreary has undoubtedly faced some quality receivers during his time playing in the SEC. At the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, McCreary was asked about the fact that he has faced so many NFL-level receivers, and he believes that experience will be very beneficial to him as he transitions to the league.

“I feel like it was great for me going against great receivers throughout my whole college career,” McCreary said when asked about facing NFL-level receivers at Auburn. “From Henry Ruggs to Ja’Marr Chase to Devonta Smith, those guys are in the league now. I feel like I went up great against them and I see how they’re doing great. So I just know me going to the next level and going against these great receivers, I feel like I’m in a great position to go up against more great receivers.”

Auburn CB Roger McCreary feels his reps vs. so many WRs who are now playing on Sundays has prepared him for the NFL. He also got into how his supposed weakness (short arms) isn't relevant. pic.twitter.com/emjcYxjhDo

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) March 5, 2022

McCreary played four years at Auburn, beginning in 2018. Over 22 games across the previous two seasons, McCreary totaled 94 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions, 20 passes defended, and one fumble recovery. In his four-year collegiate career, he totaled 135 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, one sack, six interceptions, and 30 passes defended.

McCreary shoots down his perceived “weakness” at the NFL Combine

One of the biggest knocks against McCreary is that he has “short arms.” When asked about that perceived weakness, McCreary said that he doesn’t worry about that, and that it was never a problem during his career at Auburn.

“That’s crazy how people want to talk about my short arms now,” McCreary said. “But throughout my whole college career they didn’t say nothing about it. But I don’t worry about that at all. Just play, that’s how I am. I’m a quick guy. I don’t care about no short arms, I come to play. And that’s the way it is.”

After the Senior Bowl, ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay listed McCreary as his seventh best cornerback in this year’s draft class. In a recent mock draft by NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks, McCreary was selected 27th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. CBS Sports had McCreary going 31st overall to the Cincinnati Bengals in a recent mock, as well.

McCreary is likely to be taken in the late first round to early second round range in next month’s NFL Draft. This weekend at the Combine, he is looking to make a good impression on the teams that could be eyeing him.