If Only Cornerback Kalen King Wasn’t Stiff in the Hips

There is a lot to like about Penn State cornerback (CB) Kalen King.

I’ve spent considerable time studying him over the past two days, but as much as I like him, I have to consider what life is like for No. 1 corners who are stiff in the hips.

Not too good.

The NFL is filled with receivers who can cut on a dime and leave defenders five cents change – – receivers who can “slam on the brakes,” and accelerate like they’re human race cars.

Sure, if an NFL team plays a lot of zone coverage, King might be the guy because he shows a great understanding of that scheme, but if a team at the next level has an emphasis on press man coverage, they may want to think twice before sending in the card with King’s name on it.

Straight-line routes

This is where King shines. He’s got this. Any kind of straight-line vertical or horizontal (crossing route) and he sticks to receivers like glue.

I can’t even recall any other CB prospect I’ve evaluated where he makes a play on the ball in every game I’ve studied, but King did. This guy is a menace working receivers against the sideline. King shows off his awesome instincts and ball skills in these situations.

It’s really impressive, I even put together this video snapshot showing how impressive he consistently looks covering straight-line vertical routes.

King also showed good straight-line acceleration back downhill on short-range passes he was able to anticipate.

Equipped with other necessary attributes

There’s more stuff I love about King. He’s got attitude and he plays with an edge – – with physicality.

That’s huge and something starting corners in the NFL need to have, that confidence, that thing that says, “Oh no you don’t, don’t throw that over here.”

He has this high aggression level that I like.

King showed he will come downhill and thump attempted screen passes too.

Hip rigidity

Dang it, why did he have to show time after time after time he struggled (or missed) making tackles in the open field due to being stiff in the hips?

Why did he have to get beat every time on deeper comeback routes?

This physical limitation drops him off my first-round board. Not being able to make quick changes of direction is a problem.

Other draft platforms

These clear limitations in King’s game have not stopped over 50% of NFL Draft platforms from already putting a big grade on this Penn State corner.

NBC Sports, Pro Football Network, Walter Football, Draftwire, 247Sports, CBS, Clutch Points, Bleacher Report, USA Today, Pro Football Focus, The Athletic, and SB Nation have all stamped King with a first-round grade.

Again, I’m just not seeing it.

As much as I like certain things about him, I can’t do it. I feel he projects to being a solid No. 2 corner due to his competitive playmaking nature he has to compensate for his limitation.

#4 Kalen King 5-foot-11, 191 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Summer 2023 Grade: Second-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 56.0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of August 27, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Auburn, Ohio State, Northwestern, Purdue, Michigan State, and Maryland (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 30 tackles (23 solo), 3 INT., 18 pass breakups, and 0 sacks

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Physical and scrappy corner with excellent ball instincts and attitude for the position, but lacks the ability to quickly change direction. Long arms. Played in press, off-man, and zone. Seemed patient and highly responsive to receivers. Maintained inside-out leverage and good speed on straight-line vertical routes and crossing routes that he carried. Quick reflexes. Highly competitive. Good feel for the position. Made a real difference. Moves the meter. Noticeable tightness in hips making quick and unexpected transitions allowing too much cushion at times. Didn’t show a burst of speed in coverage transitioning on non-straight-line routes. Throwing windows widened too much in these situations. Tries to get the ball out in support (did vs. Auburn). Average looking blitzing. A mixed bag of results against the run. Doesn’t always secure the tackle.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Can he make quick changes of direction while in coverage?

2. Does he show that second-gear short area burst of speed in coverage?

3. Pass coverage stats?

4. Consistently securing tackles?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.