STRENGTHS
Tariq is a smart, talented defensive back. He has excellent size and speed and has those long legs that make it easy to make up speed when he gets beat. Tariq is quick to come up and support the run. He fights through blocks and is a good open-field tackler. Tariq also shows leadership skills through his play on the field, his high football IQ, and communication with his teammates on the field. He has the pride and competitiveness nature, to be used in any style of coverage and at multiple positions in any team’s defensive backfield. Tariq is a sleeper cornerback, hiding in plain sight, on a division one team.
CONCERNS
Tariq has not shown to be much of a ball hawk making interceptions in his college career. That’s because he would rather cover and tackle instead of taking chances and jumping routes hoping he can make an interception. I don’t see this as a concern but a lot of teams will. He is a little tight in his hips and will at times get his footwork out of whack when he is in single coverage but overall, he is a hell of a defensive back.
BOTTOM LINE: 2.72
Tariq stood out to me in the Senior Bowl practices. The scuttle on him at that time was that he wasn’t a good tackler and was a marginal cover corner. I don’t believe in scuttle so I made my notes and then went to the film and saw exactly the opposite. I saw a hell of a cover corner and an excellent tackler who fought through blocks and was an impact corner for his college team. So, I thought, maybe I don’t have enough film on him. I’ll wait for the combine. He looked good and ran fast but still, I thought how could I be the only one who sees the opposite? I’ll wait for his pro day. I see him do his drills and yes there are some issues but nothing to think that Tariq is a marginal cover corner as far as I could tell. He showed that he has the hands to make the interception when needed so we can put that concern to rest also. Tariq at this point in his career is just not wired to take chances and make interceptions unless the ball is going to come to him. There is nothing wrong with that at all. Tariq will cover and defend and limit, after the catch yardage, and as far as I’m concerned those are the priorities I look for in a cornerback. Add to that his potential leadership skills, and high football IQ and I would take Tariq on my team for sure. So, I see the opposite of what everyone else see’s in a player. Do you think it’s been the first time that has happened? Seriously, Tariq is 6 Ft, runs a 4.3 with longs legs and arms, tackles, and has a high football IQ! What’s there not to like?
