STRENGTHS
Kalen plays the cornerback position like a linebacker. He is excellent at supporting the run, shedding blocks, and making tackles with the aggressiveness and commitment to what he sees, like a linebacker. He looks to make the impact play and tackle and is a dynamite zone cover defensive back. His short are quickness and change of direction agility is excellent and he plays quicker than he times because of his high football IQ and instincts. Kalen shows leadership skills through his play on the field. Kalen can play more than one position in the defensive backfield depending on the style of defensive system.
CONCERNS
Kalen may lack the pure speed you look for in a pure cover cornerback and the recovery speed you look for to trail and make a play on the ball but don’t be fooled, this kid can play corner, safety, and in the slot.
BOTTOM LINE: 2.53
Just because Kalen does not have the size, speed, and numbers most teams look for in a cornerback does not mean that Kalen will not be an impact Defensive Back. It just means he will struggle if you expect him to be a pure cover cornerback who can match up against 6’3” receivers who run 4.3, forties. Kalen is a football player. Give him an assignment on the field, and he will find a way to complete it. He has an intimidating style of play based on his football intellect, quickness, and physical tackling that compensates for his lack of pure speed, and allows him to play faster than he is timed at. He might wind up being moved to one of the safety positions or into the slot because of this intimidating style of play but in the right defense, he can play corner. He reminds me a lot of Packers/Bills corner Rasul Douglas. The difference is that Rasul is bigger but all the numbers are about the same and their style of play is very similar. Kalen is a football player and, in a draft, the best thing to do is to select players who are passionate, smart, aggressive tacklers, and instinctive who can be multi-position football players, and that’s what Kalen is. I’m not sure what round Kalen will be selected in but I do know this, whoever selects him, is getting a really good football player.
