Rashaan Melvin

He was ranked the 36th best cornerback prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com.

Rashaan DeMarcus Melvin (born October 2, 1989) is a former American football cornerback.

He saw action in two games as a walk-on freshman in 2009 and was later awarded a scholarship during the spring of 2010.

He saw action in all 14 games (two starts) as a sophomore in 2010, compiling 39 tackles (24 solo), 1.0 tackle for loss, four passes defensed and two interceptions.

He started all 13 games as a junior in 2011, recording 78 tackles (54 solo), 1.0 tackle for loss, nine passes defensed and three interceptions.

He started all 12 games as a senior, recording 55 tackles (39 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, 17 passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble.

He led the Mid American Conference and set the single-season school record with 17 passes defensed.

Melvin did not receive an invitation to the NFL Combine, but performed at Northern Illinois' pro day.

At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Melvin was projected to be a seventh round pick or an undrafted free agent by NFL draft experts and scouts.

He played college football at Northern Illinois, and signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

Melvin started 27-of-41 games played at Northern Illinois, totaling 172 tackles (117 solo), six interceptions, 3.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and 35 passes defensed.

His 35 passes defensed ranked second in school history.

On April 29, 2013, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Melvin to a two-year, $900,000 contract that includes a signing bonus of $10,000 as an undrafted free agent after he went undrafted during the 2013 NFL Draft.

Melvin received a few offers from multiple teams to join as an undrafted free agent, but received the largest signing bonus from the Buccaneers.

Throughout training camp, Melvin competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Anthony Gaitor, Danny Gorrer, Myron Lewis, Branden Smith, and Deveron Carr.

On August 29, 2013, Melvin injured his hamstring during the Buccaneers' 30–12 loss to the Washington Redskins in their fourth preseason game.

Melvin made the active 53-man roster after an impressive training camp and preseason.

Head coach Greg Schiano named Melvin the fourth cornerback on the depth chart to start the regular season, behind Darrelle Revis, Leonard Johnson, and Johnthan Banks.

On October 15, 2013, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed Melvin on injured reserve after he missed the first five games due to a hamstring injury.

On December 30, 2013, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired head coach Greg Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik after they finished with a 4–12 record in 2013.

During training camp in 2014, Melvin competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Mike Jenkins, Danny Gorrer, and Leonard Johnson.

Head coach Lovie Smith named Melvin the fifth cornerback on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Alterraun Verner, Mike Jenkins, Leonard Johnson, and Johnthan Banks.

On September 15, 2014, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released Melvin.

On October 28, 2014, the Miami Dolphins signed Melvin to their practice squad.

On November 8, 2014, the Baltimore Ravens signed Melvin from the Miami Dolphins' practice squad and added him to their active roster after cornerbacks Jimmy Smith, Danny Gorrer, Aaron Ross, and Tramain Jacobs were all placed on injured reserve.

On December 14, 2014, Melvin made his professional regular season debut and recorded five combined tackles and deflected a pass during a 20–12 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15.

The following week, Melvin earned his first career start after Asa Jackson sustained an injury to his PCL the previous week.

He collected a season-high eight combined tackles and forced a fumble by wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins during the Ravens' 25–13 loss at the Houston Texans in Week 16.

He finished the 2014 season with 17 combined tackles (13 solo), a pass deflection, and a forced fumble in three games and two starts.

The Baltimore Ravens finished the 2014 season third in the AFC North with a 10–6 record and earned a wildcard berth.

On January 3, 2015, Melvin appeared in his first career playoff game and recorded seven combined tackles in the Ravens' 30–17 victory at the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wildcard Game.

The following week, Melvin made 11 combined tackles (nine solo) during a 35–31 loss at the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round.

During the game, Melvin was repeatedly targeted by New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady and allowed a total of 12 receptions on 15 targets for 224-yards and two touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus.

Melvin was responsible for the Patriots' 51-yard game-tying touchdown reception by Danny Amendola and the game-winning 23-yard touchdown by Brandon LaFell in the fourth quarter.

On March 9, 2015, the Baltimore Ravens signed Melvin to a one-year, $585,000 exclusive rights tender.

Melvin also underwent surgery on his shoulder during the offseason.

During training camp, Melvin competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Tramain Jacobs, Anthony Levine, Chris Greenwood, Tray Walker, and Cassius Vaughn.

Head coach John Harbaugh named Melvin the fourth cornerback on the depth chart to start the season, behind Jimmy Smith, Lardarius Webb, and Kyle Arrington.

Melvin was inactive for the first two regular season games (Weeks 1–2) due to a thigh injury.

On September 27, 2015, Melvin made one tackle before being benched in the second quarter after being penalized twice and giving up a 16-yard touchdown reception to wide receiver Marvin Jones during a 28–24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.