NFL

Scouting the NFL Draft: Washington CB Kevin King

Kevin King, CB, Washington
Ht. 6'3", Wt. 200, Arm: 32", Hand: 9½", Bench: 11
40 yd: 4.43, 10 yd.: 1.55, 3 Cone: 6.56, Vertical: 39½", Broad: -

The Cowboys had a private visit with Washington cornerback Kevin King.

Here's a great stat about King: The 21 year old didn't allow a touchdown in 2016 for he Huskies. Want another one? He only gave up one TD pass in his last 28 games in college.

At 6'3" and 200 pounds, King has serious length. That is rare size for a corner. He also recorded a combine best 6.56 3-cone drill time and the best 20- and 60-yard shuttles of any defensive back.

The three-year starter at Washington and Oakland native started games at safety before switching to corner his junior year. He finished the last two seasons as Honorable Mention All Pac-12.

Strengths (per former NFL Scout Chris Landry and Pro Football Focus)
• Outstanding height and length for the position
• Light footwork in his transition to turn and stay on top of routes from press
• Uses his long arms and physicality to pin receivers to the sideline and box out downfield
• Above average locating skills and ball skills, using every inch of his lengthy frame to make plays on the ball
• Sticky hands to make the acrobatic interception (see one-handed interception on 2016 Arizona State tape)
• Comfortable in off coverage, stemming from his experience at safety, reading routes and diagnosing all the moving parts
• Tougher than he looks, dropping his pads and tackling with a thump
• Excellent reaction quickness on runs to his side of the field and underneath throws, avoiding blockers with closing burst
• Strong communication skills on the field and during the week of preparation - brought a veteran presence to the Huskies' secondary
• Experienced at corner and safety, lining up both inside and outside.
• Shows a good feel for zone plays, at times breaking off his primary threat to make a play on a secondary receiver after reading the QB's eyes.
• Is good in press coverage, squeezing receivers to the sideline and giving them no space to work with. Allowed just three catches from 17 targets on go routes in 2016.

Weaknesses (per Landry, Nolan Nawrocki and CBS' Rob Rang)
• Thin, wiry body type with skinny limbs
• Functional strength is a question mark and can be out-muscled in press coverage by powerful receivers
• Will look to deliver physical hits, but doesn't have the stopping power or muscle mass to phase the pass-catcher
• Unrefined tackling mechanics, throwing his body around before coming to balance
• Upright and leggy in his transition from press, causing some tight movements
• Tendency to grab and fight for body position while the ball is in the air, which will draw attention from officials
• Allows too much spacing in off-coverage, allowing uncontested slant completions underneath
• Only average speed for the position and struggles to recover vertically
• Lack of body build leads to durability questions
• Does not play to his size in the run game
• Needs to do a better job of shooting his hands in press coverage and playing more physical at the line of scrimmage
• Stays blocked too long
• At his best facing the quarterback.
• Like a lot of longer cornerbacks, King needs an extra step to change direction, leaving him somewhat vulnerable to smaller, shiftier receivers
• Projects best in some schemes to safety, a position he has not played in two years

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NFL Draft comparison: Let's call King an inconsistent Richard Sherman.

I've read some reports who compare King with former Nebraska and current Seahawk Stanley Jean-Baptiste.

Verdict: Second round

The Cowboys would be happy to see him on the board in round two. His size would be welcome in the NFC East where tall receivers are common: Brandon Marshall, Josh Doctson, Alshon Jeffery.

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