Draft Profile Series: Darqueze Dennard
- Updated: April 25, 2014
As we approach the deepest NFL Draft in recent memory, I’ll give my breakdown and analysis of 75 top prospects in this year’s class. At the conclusion of this series, I will include my final overall and positional rankings, as well as my mock draft.
Darqueze Dennard, CB, 5-11, 200, Michigan State
Key stats: Had 62 tackles, 4 interceptions and 10 passes defense in 2013.
Strengths: Uber-aggressive corner who doesn’t let receivers breathe. … Is a press corner first, and excels in getting physical at the line and roughing up receivers throughout the entire play. … Is a technician, who knows his position. … Very competitive player, who hates even giving up a five-yard completion. … After making contact for five (or more) yards, Dennard turns and locates the ball as well as any corner in this draft, and better than many current NFL corners. … Uses the boundary as another defender. … Is very physical and a great tackler. … Flies up to help in run support and will deliver with solid shoulder hits.
Weaknesses: Not blazing fast, so if he gets beat early, doesn’t have elite recovery speed. … Will need to scale back his physical play or he will draw plenty of flags. … Sometimes needs better hand placement on his jams. … Will need work in playing off-man and zone coverages.
Conclusion: In my opinion, Dennard is the best corner in this draft. He will likely take his lumps early – as most rookie corners do – but, I guarantee he won’t back down or change his style of play. By year two or three, he should be one of the more solid cover corners in the league. … He’s physical, competitive and has solid technique. That’s a formula for success.
NFL comparison: Joe Haden.
Draft projection: Top-20 pick.
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