Dre Kirkpatrick

[texbumthelife]

Now that he is officially going pro, will we have a shot at him at 14? Or will he jump Claiborne and be the #1 DB and CB in the draft? I think he is one of the most polished and ready to contribute DB's to come out in years. I love his tenacity, tackling and on ball defense. With Kirkpatrick on one side and Jenkins on the other, we would have two great man cover corners allowing us to really get creative.

[ABQcowboyJR]

No one will know tell after the combine. I would sure like to have him though. That size and fluid movement is hard to find.

[tm1119]

I think Claiborne is head and shoulders above Kirkpatrick. And I know I'm in the vast majority but I honestly wouldn't rank Kirkpatrick too far ahead of the 2nd round CB's Minnifield, Boykin, Gilmore, or Hayward. This is an extremely deep CB draft, the value is great in the 2nd and I personally would wait until then to draft a CB.

[Dash28]

I think Claiborne is head and shoulders above Kirkpatrick. And I know I'm in the vast majority but I honestly wouldn't rank Kirkpatrick too far ahead of the 2nd round CB's Minnifield, Boykin, Gilmore, or Hayward. This is an extremely deep CB draft, the value is great in the 2nd and I personally would wait until then to draft a CB.
Kirkpatrick is without a doubt the #2 corner.

[RoyTheHammer]

Kirkpatrick is without a doubt the #2 corner.

As far as talent, i'd say Jenkins is the easy number two. Will Dre be able to hang in man coverage with the faster number 1 receivers in the NFL?

[Dash28]

As far as talent, i'd say Jenkins is the easy number two. Will Dre be able to hang in man coverage with the faster number 1 receivers in the NFL?
Jenkins has too many red flags to consider at 14.

Kirk can hang with anyone IMO, still want to see his workouts.

Can matchup with bigger receivers and Jenkins on speed if it came to that but I believe he would be fine.

[The30YardSlant]

Kirkpatrick is a freak who has yet to develop top level technique because he played on elite defenses in high school and college with multiple talented prospects and that allowed him to gamble and rely purely on his athleticism. As far as upside goes he is one of the most physically gifted corners to come out ever IMO. He has elite size and speed for a corner and that combination is rare.

[The30YardSlant]

As far as talent, i'd say Jenkins is the easy number two. Will Dre be able to hang in man coverage with the faster number 1 receivers in the NFL?

He was clocked sub-4.4 in both high school and college, which is plenty fast and considering that he is 6'2" and almost 200 pounds it's especially impressive. We'll have to wait and see what he runs at the combine but I can't recall a corner that big ever running in the 4.3s.

[RoyTheHammer]

Kirkpatrick is a freak who has yet to develop top level technique because he played on elite defenses in high school and college with multiple talented prospects and that allowed him to gamble and rely purely on his athleticism. As far as upside goes he is one of the most physically gifted corners to come out ever IMO. He has elite size and speed for a corner and that combination is rare.

I just know alot of taller DB's have trouble with their fluidity in coverage and struggle when having to go to the NFL and cover top receivers who are faster and quicker than the guys in college. I just want to be sure he's a guy who can stay with top WR's like Nicks, Maclin, Megatron, Fitz, Steve Smith, etc.. if we're taking him at 14.

[RoyTheHammer]

He was clocked sub-4.4 in both high school and college, which is plenty fast and considering that he is 6'2" and almost 200 pounds it's especially impressive. We'll have to wait and see what he runs at the combine but I can't recall a corner that big ever running in the 4.3s.

That's impressive, but for CB's its not as much about straight line speed as much as the ability to cut and run quickly. I question his quickness going up against some of the better WR's in the NFL more than his speed.

[The30YardSlant]

That's impressive, but for CB's its not as much about straight line speed as much as the ability to cut and run quickly. I question his quickness going up against some of the better WR's in the NFL more than his speed.

The way I figure it is you can teach technique. A DB can improve his ability to adjust to routes more quickly, turn his hips, etc. You can't teach size and speed. Remember, when we drafted Ware he was considered a physical freak who needed to improve his technique and now he is the benchmark for pass rushing technique.

[RoyTheHammer]

The way I figure it is you can teach technique. A DB can improve his ability to adjust to routes, turn his hips, etc. You can't teach size and speed. Remember, when we drafted Ware he was considered a physical freak who needed to improve his technique and now he is the bench mark for pass rushing technique.

As long as he doesn't have stiff hips, im all for it.. like i said, i just know alot of taller DB's have trouble turning or cutting with smaller, quicker WR's.. even if they have good speed.

I can't even name a 6'3 CB who is a quality starter in the NFL.

[JonJon]

As far as talent, i'd say Jenkins is the easy number two. Will Dre be able to hang in man coverage with the faster number 1 receivers in the NFL?
I also agree that Jenkins is better in man coverage and also faster than Kirkpatrick. I've payed close attention to both. The advantage that Kirkpatrick has is that he is able to to matchup with bigger receivers and can provide a good bump on the line if he gets his hands on the WR to slow him from getting into his routes. He is also probably the best tackling CB in the draft and plays with a mean streak. He uses his frame and long arms to make plays on the ball that most wouldn't be able to do.

This disadvantage is that he isn't as fluid in his hips as some of the more refined CB's. He will struggle in man against faster, more agile receivers in the league that can use there abilities to turn him around and beat the jam at the LOS.

[JonJon]

Kirkpatrick is a freak who has yet to develop top level technique because he played on elite defenses in high school and college with multiple talented prospects and that allowed him to gamble and rely purely on his athleticism. As far as upside goes he is one of the most physically gifted corners to come out ever IMO. He has elite size and speed for a corner and that combination is rare.

He was clocked sub-4.4 in both high school and college, which is plenty fast and considering that he is 6'2" and almost 200 pounds it's especially impressive. We'll have to wait and see what he runs at the combine but I can't recall a corner that big ever running in the 4.3s.

Where are you getting that from? I'm not saying that it didn't happen, but all the 40 times I have seen have been between 4.42-4.58. He certainly doesn't appear to have elite 4.3 speed in game film either.

[The30YardSlant]

Where are you getting that from? I'm not saying that it didn't happen, but all the 40 times I have seen have been between 4.42-4.58. He certainly doesn't appear to have elite 4.3 speed in game film either.

All the times I've seen for him range from 4.38 to 4.46, nothing up in the 4.5s. I'm sure there are some, but it's always important to remember that even guys like Deion had reported times a full tenth of a second slower than anything they ever actually ran at an official measurement.

I'd expect him to run around a 4.45 at the combine with the laser measurements, given that combine times usually add around .05 seconds to college times. That would be great for a guy who will be one of the biggest pure corners in football next year.

[RoyTheHammer]

Where are you getting that from? I'm not saying that it didn't happen, but all the 40 times I have seen have been between 4.42-4.58. He certainly doesn't appear to have elite 4.3 speed in game film either.

Yea, i just checked and it looks like he's about a 4.5 guy. Not too shabby, but not elite speed.

[RoyTheHammer]

All the times I've seen for him range from 4.38 to 4.46, nothing up in the 4.5s. I'm sure there are some, but it's always important to remember that even guys like Deion had reported times a full tenth of a second slower than anything they ever actually ran at an official measurement.

I'd expect him to run around a 4.45 at the combine with the laser measurements, given that combine times usually add around .05 seconds to college times. That would be great for a guy who will be one of the biggest pure corners in football next year.

Care to share or post links to where you found these times?

Everything i saw was 4.5 range, with his fastest being 4.42 and slowest being 4.58

[JonJon]

All the times I've seen for him range from 4.38 to 4.46, nothing up in the 4.5s. I'm sure there are some, but it's always important to remember that even guys like Deion had reported times a full tenth of a second slower than anything they ever actually ran at an official measurement.

I'd expect him to run around a 4.45 at the combine with the laser measurements, given that combine times usually add around .05 seconds to college times. That would be great for a guy who will be one of the biggest pure corners in football next year.

You are right, 4.45 is still very good speed for a guy his size. I was just curious about the 4.3 times.

[GloryDaysRBack]

if Dre runs 4.45 that would skyrocket his stock..speed is the only question mark in his game..

[RoyTheHammer]

if Dre runs 4.45 that would skyrocket his stock..speed is the only question mark in his game..

Still waiting to see where that has been reported though, i've never seen a time of anything under 4.42 for Dre. Average is 4.5, which isn't bad.

[GloryDaysRBack]

Still waiting to see where that has been reported though, i've never seen a time of anything under 4.42 for Dre. Average is 4.5, which isn't bad.

i dont think any of those pre combine times are ever accurate...they all seem like bull****..lets just see what happens next month

[cruz_aedo861]

Kirkpatrick is without a doubt the #2 corner.

Then why does kiper jr. have alfonso dennard ahead of kirkpatrick seems like there is doubt. have you seen kirkpatricks hips so stiff. give me minnifield in the 2nd and de castro in the 1st.

[Dash28]

Then why does kiper jr. have alfonso dennard ahead of kirkpatrick seems like there is doubt. have you seen kirkpatricks hips so stiff. give me minnifield in the 2nd and de castro in the 1st.
Good for Kiper.

Kirkpatrick plays with a natural bend and has fluid hips for his size IMO.

I agree with DeCastro, he's at the top of my board at 14, followed by Kirk.

[cruz_aedo861]

Good for Kiper.

Kirkpatrick plays with a natural bend and has fluid hips for his size IMO.

I agree with DeCastro, he's at the top of my board at 14, followed by Kirk.

look i like kirkpatrick but in 18th-22nd pick range but he will be long gone before then. but as far as talent goes and just talent i have it like this.

1. Morris Claiborne
2. Janoris jenkins
3. Alfonso Dennard
4. Dre kirkpatrick

[newnationcb]

As long as he doesn't have stiff hips, im all for it.. like i said, i just know alot of taller DB's have trouble turning or cutting with smaller, quicker WR's.. even if they have good speed.

I can't even name a 6'3 CB who is a quality starter in the NFL.


Sean Smith for the Dolphins. Antonio Cromartie might be listed as 6'2 but for all intents and purposes is 6'3.

Nnamdi is not far from that. Richard Sherman of the Seahawks played well this year and isn't far from that.

[tm1119]

I honestly think if he played for a random team like Iowa we would looking at Kirkpatrick as a late 1st/early 2nd round pick. He clearly benefited from having a great defense around him. He rarely had to play the ball in his JR and SR year. Both of the safeties behind him and the corner opposite are going to be picked in the first 4 rounds. Not to mention the incredible pass rush that Bama had that made his cover time pretty short. Im not trying to take anything away from Kirkpatrick as I do like him as a pro prospect, but I think top 15 pick makes him a bit overrated. Aside from his height which is a bonus I dont see a huge gap between him and Minnifield, Boykin or Hayward in terms of pure coverage skills. And the later 3 can be had in the 2nd round.

[ajk23az]

I wonder where all the people are claiming to trade up for Claiborne are just like they did Peterson last year?

Claiborne is a better cover guy than Peterson is for sure. The only difference is that PP is a ton better return guy.

Claiborne can still return on kickoffs but not like punt returns like PP does.

I would love to get Claiborne but it's a pipe dream.

[alby]

I honestly think if he played for a random team like Iowa we would looking at Kirkpatrick as a late 1st/early 2nd round pick. He clearly benefited from having a great defense around him. He rarely had to play the ball in his JR and SR year. Both of the safeties behind him and the corner opposite are going to be picked in the first 4 rounds. Not to mention the incredible pass rush that Bama had that made his cover time pretty short. Im not trying to take anything away from Kirkpatrick as I do like him as a pro prospect, but I think top 15 pick makes him a bit overrated. Aside from his height which is a bonus I dont see a huge gap between him and Minnifield, Boykin or Hayward in terms of pure coverage skills. And the later 3 can be had in the 2nd round.

This.

It will depend on how the 2012 Dallas Cowboys braintrust will attack the draft. Need vs. value. Dre would be a great "need" move because it is quite obvious we are in desperate need of secondary help; but with a draft littered with CB's, it may not be a great "value" move.

As far as the actual player is concerned, Dre's top end speed may be an issue (we'll know more about this after workouts) but when is that really even used in the NFL? His biggest asset is his ability to tackle and this should not be understated. Tackling was a huge issue for us last year and if we are trying to find a Newman replacement, then Kirkpatrick would be the anti-Newman if you will.

Does anyone know Jerome Henderson's history of drafts? This would probably help us determine what type of DB's he usually goes for.

[Frozen700]

As long as he doesn't have stiff hips, im all for it.. like i said, i just know alot of taller DB's have trouble turning or cutting with smaller, quicker WR's.. even if they have good speed.

I can't even name a 6'3 CB who is a quality starter in the NFL.

Sean Smith

[RoyTheHammer]

Sean Smith

Pointed out already, but thank you. There is one. lol

Smith has very quick feet for a man his size, and weighs about 20 lbs more than Dre. Lets hope Dre shares those quick feet and bulks up a bit before the draft.

[cowboysfan31]

Asomugha, Antonio Cromartie, and DRC are listed at 6'2" and are decent CBs.

[Frozen700]

Pointed out already, but thank you. There is one. lol

Smith has very quick feet for a man his size, and weighs about 20 lbs more than Dre. Lets hope Dre shares those quick feet and bulks up a bit before the draft.

ooh my bad..

[CATCH17]

I think Claiborne is head and shoulders above Kirkpatrick. And I know I'm in the vast majority but I honestly wouldn't rank Kirkpatrick too far ahead of the 2nd round CB's Minnifield, Boykin, Gilmore, or Hayward. This is an extremely deep CB draft, the value is great in the 2nd and I personally would wait until then to draft a CB.

He is.

No way does Kirkpatrick jump him.

[CATCH17]

Good for Kiper.

Kirkpatrick plays with a natural bend and has fluid hips for his size IMO.
I agree with DeCastro, he's at the top of my board at 14, followed by Kirk.

I disagree.

When I look at Kirkpatrick I see more of a Safety than a corner.