The 2024 NFL Draft is shaping up to be an impactful one
The football dynasty that is Nick Saban’s Alabama has given us two great Corners for the 2024 NFL Draft. Terrion Arnold, along with Kool-Aid Mckinstry. Terrion is a tough, heavy hitting corner. He should end up gaining a small amount of weight, and will be playing just as hard as he did at Alabama. He plays smart, but he plays aggressive as well. He does his job and has a great talent for picking up plays as support against the run when he can. There are times where he loses the ball as a play develops, and other times where he doesn’t wrap up for every tackle. These are things I expect him to easily fix as he gains a little age and experience. Terrion has huge potential to be a defensive star in the league.
Arnolds’ Alabama teammate, Kool-Aid McKinstry could also been seen as a future star. Kool-Aid has not just a high football IQ, but also a position specific IQ. His timing and ball skills are great for allowing him to his hands in the way for deflections, and as he develops, those should turn into interceptions. He seems very natural in coverage, stays patient when he needs to, and does a great job of reading a receivers eyes when it’s appropriate. His slight weaknesses should be taken care of with NFL level discipline. Coming in for run support will get better, as well as staying alive and explosive when his man isn’t getting targeted. Kool-Aid will be a year 1 starter.
Cooper DeJean is a thick bodied, 6’, 203lb, corner out of Iowa. Coming into the 2024 NFL Draft with experience at corner, and at the safety position, Cooper plays with an unmatched explosiveness. Combined with that, are his receiver like hands and ball skills. If he can touch it, there’s a chance he’ll catch it. DeJean lays heavy hits, and does well coming in for run support. The NFL will be a challenge for him. His slower acceleration could be what gets him burnt, as well as the trouble he has finding the ball in deep, down field coverage. He has the body, speed, and hands that we would want in a great punt returner.
Quinyon Mitchell has NFL star written all over him. Coming out of Toledo, he may not have gotten the attention he deserves. He will get that attention at the NFL draft. Mitchell is 6’, 195lbs, with a thick frame he throws around with big time physicality. Quinyon has great instincts and habits that put his in the position to make great tackles. He is young, and has a habit of letting his hip position sell him out, as well as a little trouble in feeling out the routes he is covering. After a good showing at the scouting combine, don’t be surprised if Quinyon Mitchell ends up the first Corner back taken in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Stats provided from espy.com/college-football/stats
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