It looks like our star quarterback needs to OK our every move, so I checked with him for permission to start to analyze our 2021 Draft that he spoiled! Sorry to our 9 draft choices, we still love you!
Draft #1 - Erik Stokes - 6'1" - 185 lbs - Georgia
What do we Know?:
Dane Brugler, The Athletic (draft guide): “A two-year starter at Georgia, Stokes lined up at right cornerback in head coach Kirby Smart’s 3-3-5 base scheme, seeing time inside and outside. After moving to cornerback as a senior in high school, he quickly adapted to the position in the SEC, impressing the coaches with his ability to apply coaching and trust his skill set. Stokes enjoyed his best season in 2020 with four interceptions and allowing only 38.5% completions when targeted. Stokes has elite NFL play speed and won’t lose many foot races. He uses body control, patience and footwork to stay square and in phase. While his competitiveness downfield is a positive trait, he panics at times and needs to be more subtle with his contact (nine penalties in college). Overall, Stokes must correct his play recognition and transition flaws, but his size, speed and promising ball awareness are undeniable and scheme-versatile traits that will help him compete for starting reps early in his NFL career.”
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: “Stokes is a size/speed cornerback with good ball skills. He flashes a one-hand jam to re-route in press coverage, but he’s a little rigid when he has to open up and turn/run. He has plenty of recovery speed if he’s beat off the line. He has good eyes to key/read and drive on the ball in off coverage. He is very aware in the deep third, showing the ability to find and play the ball. He isn’t a smooth/fluid mover, but he is very explosive in a straight line. He’s an effective blitzer with timing and burst to close. He is a reliable tackler in space, as well. Overall, Stokes has some tightness, but I love his size/speed combination. He has a chance to develop into a solid starter at the next level.”
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: “Depending upon scheme, need or preference, Stokes offers teams the potential to play him outside or from the slot. Speed and quickness should allow him to stay with route runners or within close-out distance when he gets behind. Stokes played with better press technique in 2020 and he’s willing to get physical near the goal line, but his play strength is below average. While there have been mild flashes of playmaking potential, he’s more likely to play the receiver rather than attacking the football and looking for takeaways. He’s twitchy in tight quarters with the potential to become more disruptive in zone. His size, speed and athleticism could make him a Day 2 pick as a future CB3, but his weakness as a run defender will be challenged quickly by NFL offenses.”
Mike Renner, Pro Football Focus (draft guide): “One thing is for sure: Georgia is going to miss Stokes in its secondary. He’s been easily the most consistent corner in the SEC outside of Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II over the past three seasons. In 2020, Stokes had five full games where he allowed fewer than 10 yards. He goes about his business very quietly and rarely gives opponents clean opportunities. He’s no stranger to college football’s lack of an illegal contact penalty, though, and does a lot of his dirty work via contacting receivers. He might struggle transitioning to the NFL when that’s not the case.”
Jordan Reid, The Draft Network: “From 2019 to 2020, Eric Stokes has certainly improved at being more opportunistic with regards to securing turnovers. He can mirror from a press position, but he can afford to clean up his technique—particularly his eye discipline in man coverage and getting “grabby” at the top of the route. He has shown the ability to play in man or zone from a press and occasional off position, but he does not play to his high-level timed speed with his play. He’s not a dynamic closer at the top of the route and lacks elite short-area, stop-and-start agility. His skill set may be best suited in a predominantly zone situation where he can play with vision and utilize his ball skills to make plays.”
Bleacher Report Scouting Department: “Stokes is a speedy, cover first corner. Playing in the SEC, he has the speed to run with most receivers he came up against. He is able to mirror and stay in receivers’ hip pockets; though at times he struggled to drop his hips when open in full stride. He has shown the vision and awareness needed in zone coverage. He will need to improve his physicality in the run game. Even with his open-field tackling being a bit of a concern at times, he is able to hold his own and get the ball-carrier down for the most part. With the potential to be an NFL starter, Stokes will need to sure up his consistency.”
So Packer Fans, what do we have?
Pro's
1 - Elite NFL speed
2 - Good size at 6'1"
3 - Can play outside or slot
4 - Able to mirror receiver & stay in hip pocket
5 - Good ball skills
Weaknesses?
1 - Little rigid when he opens up to run
2 - Weakness as a run defender
3 - Gets grabby (Doesn't everyone in the NFL)
4 - Needs to sure up his consistency
My prediction, Stokes will be battling Kevin King for a starting job, and by the end of the year, will be a starter!
