2016 NFL Draft: early look at Iowa’s Desmond King
By Jon Dove
2016 NFL Draft scouting report for Iowa’s Desmond King.
Desmond King is an emerging defensive back prospect who is rapidly moving up draft boards. He has been a major part of Iowa’s surprise season which could see them earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. King and the Hawkeyes face Michigan State in the Big 10 Championship game this weekend.
This is a smart and instinctual cornerback who knows who to read developing routes. He routinely puts himself in a strong position to make a play on the football. King also features good ball skills that allow him to pull down interceptions.
The below clip shows King reading the quarterback, under cutting the route and grabbing an interception in the end zone:
Iowa asks King to follow the opponents top playmaker which includes lining up on the outside and in the slot. This versatility is important because it means he’ll be capable to filling multiple roles at the next level. It’s possible for to start his career as a slot corner and gradually moving into a bigger role.
King is a strong fit for a zone-coverage scheme because of his instincts, proper technique and question marks surrounding his overall speed. This clip shows King using the sideline to limit the receiver’s space, getting this head turned on the football and making the interception:
I have some concerns about his explosiveness and top-end speed. Iowa has King return kicks and punts where he shows little break-away speed. NFL cornerbacks need to have enough speed to turn and run with the elite athletes playing wide receiver.
The combine and draft workouts will be very important for King. If he put up good numbers in the 40-yard dash he has a shot at being an early-round pick.
Current Draft Position: 2nd Round