STRENGTHS
TJ is that long-legged, long-arm, quick-twitch athlete, teams are looking for in a pure cover corner. He is quick to recognize and support the run and make tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He has that “wirier type” of physical strength that allows him to play physically against what may look like a bigger, stronger receiver. TJ does a good job communicating with his teammates and shows leadership skills and a High Football IQ to anticipate routes. He has the hands of a receiver to intercept the ball and with those long arms and legs can trail a receiver and still make a play on the ball. TJ is an excellent zone cornerback and matchup zone corner. Because he is a good tackler he can play more than one position in the defensive backfield.
CONCERNS
In the right defense, TJ is a star. In the wrong defense, he can get beat like a drum. He lacks the pure speed you look for in a pure cover corner but because he is a quick twitch athlete, he is able to minimize that lack of pure speed with instincts, recognition skills, and quickness. As long as TJ can be used in an off-coverage defense, he will impact.
BOTTOM LINE: 2.50
TJ can be used in the slot to cover those bigger receivers and Tight Ends but once again he is not going to make his living playing as a slot cover corner against any style of slot receiver. He also is not going to make his living in single coverages either. He will impact in off coverages and zone coverage, keeping the play in front of him and attacking the receiver or going for the ball once the ball is in the air. TJ can be an impact corner or defensive back but it just has to be in the right defense and this will affect his draft status with some teams.
