Sheldon Price is Chasing his Dream

zOctober 27, 2012; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins cornerback Sheldon Price (22) knocks the ball away from Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jamal Miles (32) during the second half at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Anytime the Seattle Seahawks’ championship defense is analyzed, all eyes focus on the tall, lengthy cornerbacks that are found throughout the team’s roster.

One cornerback for the Colt that is cut from that lengthy, athletic mold – who is getting noticed in his second year of training camp – is defensive back Sheldon Price. At 6’2” 198 pounds, he has the frame coaches covet in a boundary corner.

Price spent most of the 2013 season on the Colts practice squad, but was eventually signed to the 53 man roster for the final regular season game and the playoffs.

The Colts originally signed Price as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA in 2013. A year on the practice squad, has helped him ad strength and bulk to his lean frame. This season, Price has been getting his fair share of camp reps with the second team defense. The coaching staff will certainly give Price plenty of opportunity in up coming preseason games to answer any questions of whether or not he’s got the strength and physicality to match up against NFL receivers.

Price’s lean build in college didn’t necessarily mean that he was a soft player. He was a four year starter in the tough PAC-12 conference, and he didn’t shy away from physicality as a Bruin.

At times during his NCAA career, Price flashed brilliance and looked like a corner worthy of being selecting in the NFL draft. However, inconsistent play, a less than ideal senior season and poor mechanics caused his draft stock to slip.

Non-the-less Price is a player with a large upside and the tools to develop into a very good player.

Kyle Rodriguez, the talented sportswriter covering the Colts for Beacher Report, included Sheldon Price as one of his 5 Dark Horse Candidates to Make the Colts’ 53-Man Roster, an article he wrote before camp started.

With starting cornerback Vontae Davis missing the first 9 practices with a groin strain, it has opened the door for Josh Gordy and Sheldon Price to get a few extra camp reps.

I’ve been impressed with Price’s effort on special teams and his fluid movement to his backpedal. Price looks comfortable playing close to the line of scrimmage and displays good lateral agility moving with receivers.

The Colts are set to take on the New York Jets in the preseason opener on Thursday, and Price should see plenty of game action on defense and special teams as he tries to win the #5 cornerback spot on the 53-man roster.