Dec 31, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Rice Owls cornerback Phillip Gaines (15) chases down Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Jameon Lewis (4) during the second quarter at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Fifth Round
No. 161 overall: Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice
Gaines had four interceptions and 34 tackles as a senior for the Owls last year and despite a thin build, is showing the ability to add bulk—he put on eight points between the Senior Bowl and the combine.
He’s got elite speed, running a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine, and had elite-level results in the short shuttle (4.04 seconds) and three-cone (6.62 seconds) drills. He started the final 35 games of his college career, but had had injury problems. Gaines played his entire junior season with a cast on his wrist, with problems lingering from a season-ending injury suffered as a freshman in 2009.
Gaines missed the season opener last year due to a suspension because of a team rules violation, but is considered a hard worker who was well-liked by teammates and coaches. His ball skills are exceptional, with 27 passes broken up in his final two seasons at Rice and he consistently high points the ball.
He’s a willing run defender, but he’s just not all that good at it and can get pushed around by blockers, with bigger runners also able to run through him.