Patrick Peterson Scouting Report
Instincts/Recognition: Understands all about route combination’s. Is a confident young man. Has that sixth sense on when to snap his head around and locate the ball. Understands down and distance and uses that to his advantage when defending certain routes. Above average route recognition allows him to jump routes and break up passes or intercept balls.
Cover Skills: In man coverage, stays in receivers hip pockets. In zone, has the ability to plant and close. Flexible athlete who can run with the best of them. Disturbs quarterback to receiver timing by using his size at the line of scrimmage in press coverage. Doesn’t concede any balls thrown his way. Constantly fighting to break up a pass or jar a ball loose. Displays quick feet during his back pedal and has more than enough closing speed. Went head-to-head with Alabama receiver Julio Jones earlier this year. Jones caught 10 passes but they were all underneath routes. Jones finished with only 89 yards and a average of 8.9 yards per catch, a whole 8.0 yards below his season average.
Ball Skills: Plays the position like a receiver. Gets his head around quickly, locates the ball and high points it. Often has better timing that receivers when it comes to his jumps. Superb hands. Once he gets his hands on the ball, he has the return ability to put six up on the score board. Receiver-like body control. Is aware of his feet when making interceptions. Has a few sideline toe tap interceptions on his resume.
Run Support: Recognizes run quickly. Uses his size to disengage blockers. Sure tackler. Has a knack for laying the big hit. Very aggressive in run support. Doesn’t shy away from contact or ball carriers who are bigger than him. Has the speed to track down ball carriers. When one on one, breaks down well and doesn’t allow the ball carrier any further yardage.
Intangibles: Good kid off the field. Comes from solid football blood lines. Kin to Santana Moss, Sinorice Moss, and Bryant McDadden. 2010 Jim Thorpe award winner.
Overall Stock: With receivers getting bigger and bigger, cornerbacks must get bigger and bigger. Peterson is a well built cornerback with excellent play making ability. He will bring physicality and toughness to whatever team selects him in the 2011 NFL Draft. By far is the #1 cornerback in the nation.
NFL Comparison: Charles Woodson