Corey Chavous

Corey Lamonte Chavous (born January 5, 1976) was an American football safety who played eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Chavous played for three different teams, primarily as a safety but also as a cornerback. Chavous was known as one of the most instinctive safeties of his era and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2003. During his career, he was a regular NFL draft television analyst. He is the founder of the media company and website DraftNasty.com, which specializes in coverage of the major sports with an emphasis on scouting and professional drafts.

Chavous was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Vanderbilt. Chavous played four years for the Minnesota Vikings and three years for the St. Louis Rams. He appeared on ESPN's coverage of the NFL Draft from 1999-2004. He was one of the initial main athletes involved in ESPN's Players Roundtable during the coverage of the draft.

Chavous went on to be one of the lead analysts on the NFL Network's first ever coverage of the draft in Radio City Music Hall in 2005. Along with host Rich Eisen and NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock, the trio covered all of the NFL Network's two-day weekend.

Chavous is the nephew of former Denver Broncos defensive end Barney Chavous. He is also the cousin of Fred Vinson, former NFL and Vanderbilt University football player.

High school career
Chavous attended Silver Bluff High School in Aiken, South Carolina. In football, he was an All-Area, and an All-District pick, and in track, he was an All-State choice and was part of a 4×100 relay team which won the state title. He was a high school teammate of former Chicago Bears and Vikings wide receiver D'Wayne Bates.

College career
Chavous attended Vanderbilt University. He finished his career with 12 interceptions (which ranks 4th on the school's all-time list), and made 199 tackles, and batted down 31 passes. He graduated with a degree in human and organizational development.

Arizona Cardinals
Chavous was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round (33rd overall) in the 1998 NFL Draft. In his rookie season he played in 16 games recording 28 tackles and two interceptions, his first coming at the Kansas City Chiefs on November 30. In 1999, he played in 15 games recording 40 tackles and one interception. The following year he made 48 tackles and one interception. In his final year with the Cardinals, Chavous made 74 tackles and one interception.

Minnesota Vikings
On March 25, 2002, Chavous signed a four-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings as an unrestricted free agent. In his debut season he started in all 16 games recording 83 tackles, three interceptions and one touchdown, the first of his career at the Detroit Lions on December 29. In 2003, he made 86 tackles, a career-high eight interceptions and one touchdown. His performances that season earned him a trip to the 2003 Pro Bowl. The following year, he made 81 tackles and one interception. In his final season with the Vikings, Chavous started all 16 games for a fourth straight season, recording 71 tackles and two interceptions.

St. Louis Rams
On March 13, 2006, Chavous signed a three-year contract with the St. Louis Rams as an unrestricted free agent. In his first season, he equaled his career-high of 86 tackles and made one interception. In 2008 he started 14 games making 74 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

On February 13, 2009, Chavous was released by the Rams.

Broadcasting experience
Chavous has been featured on various sports programs as an analyst of college football talent, especially in regards to their potential for the National Football League draft.

Draft Nasty
Corey Chavous launched his website, DraftNasty.com, which covers the NFL Draft on a year-round basis. Chavous and his scouts will be touring college campuses to find NFL Draft prospects and related issues to spotlight.