STRENGTHS
CJ is a tall, long fluid athlete with excellent overall cover skills. He has “track like” speed and does a good job in single coverage or man to man coverages. CJ has those long arms that allow him to trail the receiver and still knock down balls that are over his shoulders. He has those long strides that make it easy for him to stay with those big receivers and also be able to stay with the smaller receivers on those deep balls. CJ has excellent overall strength to go with his size and solid change of direction ability to stay and defend most any size receiver. CJ is smart and understands zone coverages and has the hands to make the interception and the speed to take it back all the way. He can play multiple positions in your defensive backfield and because of his size and length and can be used to blitz and take down those big QB’s, that most CB’s have trouble with. CJ can shut down those big receivers in the slot and re-route those quicker receivers on the outside. He defiantly has the potential to be a shutdown corner for the team that selects him.
CONCERNS
CJ has one big issue that he has to change to make the big money that shut down corners can make in the NFL. He has to become the first one to come up and support the run and make the tackle. My guess right now is that he will do it but on film, there is no doubt about his hesitation to let others on his team do it before him. Also, CJ does a solid job when moved inside or moved to a safety position but he really, prefers to play on the outside and in single coverage.
BOTTOM LINE 1.48
When Tre’Davious White came out and was selected by the Buffalo Bills I had the same concern about him that I have about CJ On film I see no reason for CJ to be hesitant to tackle. He has the size and strength and in single coverage he makes tackles but when the play comes at him on the ground, he seems to be happy if someone else makes the tackle instead of him. I don’t believe CJ has a problem tackling or coming up quickly and supporting the run mentally or physically. I just think, like Tre’Davious, he is saving himself for the NFL. CJ loves to play press coverage. You can see it in his body language in the film. That’s when his true competitive juices start to flow. He likes being top dog and dominating and has now problem howling about it to anyone who will listen after the play is over and he has knocked down the ball. He even likes doing that more than he likes intercepting the ball. You see when he intercepts the ball, that’s mostly because someone made a mistake and he was fortunate. When he stops the receiver from catching the ball, that’s all on him and his ability and talent to defend and that’s what excites him on the field. CJ Doesn’t want to be fortunate, he wants to be the best, and he just might be the best CB in this draft class.
