Terrion Arnold Slides Down on Draft Board

I was high on Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold after studying his 2022 game film, but after evaluating another seven games in 2023, I am not ‘as sold’ on him heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.

Third-round.

That’s what I walked away thinking based on his 2022 game film.

Arnold is a tricky evaluation.

Why?

This Alabama corner has good straight-line speed and some playmaking ability. He had eight passes defended in 2022 and 12 passes defended in 2023. Additionally, he gets fired up sometimes and shows that coveted confidence on game film. All of those traits appeal to me.

It’s the rest of the stuff I saw that doesn’t appeal to me.

What happened?

Straight-line routes.

That’s what Arnold is great at covering.

ARNOLD COVERS LIKE A BLANKET IN THESE SITUATIONS.

Problems began when wide receivers made sharp, distinct, and quick breakpoints (changing their course of direction on a route).

Time and time again, Arnold had trouble matching these types of routes in game after game.

Whether in press-man coverage (pre-snap defensive coverage alignment when the cornerback is right up on the receiver before the ball is snapped) or if he was in off-man (cornerback lined up a few yards off the receiver pre-snap), receivers got him on routes that featured crisp breakpoints.

Why?

Arnold is too generous on the cushions he gives receivers and doesn’t have what it takes to recover.

Periodically, during longer developing routes that gave Arnold more time to regain positioning he managed to break up some passes.

That was great, but it was the exception, not the norm.

Too handsy

This is another big one.

Arnold tends to ‘grab jersey’ or try to impede receivers when he knows he is beat or about to get beat and I believe he is going to be susceptible to pass interference calls in the NFL.

He has good raw natural ability but lacks technique. I also caught him a couple of times not looking back for the ball on deeper pass attempts.

Ideal NFL nickel

Arnold spent time covering the outside receivers and Alabama additionally had him matched up inside a lot against the slot receiver, which I believe is a clue.

As a projection, I see him as a nickel (third cornerback) on a roster at the next level. One of the most intriguing things about Arnold is how physical he is. He doesn’t even flinch at coming up in pass and run support ⎯it doesn’t matter even if it’s a running back.

Based on his 2023 film, I can’t see him developing into a long-term solution at either starting cornerback spot on any roster. But, I’d take him as a nickel where he can either thump receivers and running backs on bubble screens or learn to make a living anticipating quick slant patterns.

I like him ⎯I’m disappointed by his film this past season, but I still like him enough to draft him if I was an NFL GM (but in the right round).

#3 Terrion Arnold 6-foot-0, 196 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 NFL Draft Grade: Fourth-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 58.8%% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of March 1, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Terrion Arnold: Unpolished Greatness (4 games evaluated)

2023 game film reviewed: LSU, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Michigan, and Ole Miss (click to view games watched to form this evaluation

2023 stats: 63 tackles (40 solo), 23 assists, 5 INT.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Lanky competitive corner with swag and good straight-line speed, but is hindered by raw technique and slight hip tightness. Looks the part. Physical edge. Good initial positioning and spacing. Extremely reactive. Mirrors. Shadows. Smooth initial peddle. Susceptive to switch routes and generally slow to react at route break points. They got him on a lot of shorter routes. Tendency to overextend and overadjust. Short area straight line burst. Lacks straight-up recovery speed once he gives up a step. Big-time run support. Blitzing upside.

Final words

My scouting report on him in 2022 and 2023 read the same.

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. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.