CB, Georgia

Update: Eric Stokes Packers. Eric Stokes was taken by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Guess we killed it with this call.

Before Georgia’s pro day if you googled Georgia cornerback in the 2021 NFL Draft you would have been directed to numerous articles or reviews of Tyson Campbell. Although Campbell has skills, I believe his counterpart in the Georgia secondary deserves more praise and attention. Until Stokes ran a 4.25 40 time he wasn’t really being spoken of in the scouting community, that is unless you were in a room with us at draftdive.com. Stokes possesses rare speed to go along with a knack for the ball that can’t be taught. This late riser has all the potential to be a starting corner in the NFL.

Stokes was merely a 3 star recruit out of Eastside High School in Covington, GA. Though he didn’t even break the top 50 players in the state, he did end up a Bulldog and suited up for 13 games as a freshman when he was recognized as the co-most improved player at the teams post season awards. In 2019 he followed that up with ALL-SEC second team. In 2020 he was named first team ALL-SEC by the Associated Press. Yet here we are nearing the NFL Draft and he is still mentioned behind other SEC corners like Surtain, Horn, and Campbell. Will teams that overlook him be disappointed?

Strengths

Speed, speed, and more speed. Some scouts have written him up as nonathletic and lacking burst. If you come across them go ahead and stop reading! Long before he recorded his 4.25 second 40 time, he was a decorated track star in high school. He still holds the Eastside record for the 100 meter at 10.39 seconds. Athleticism and agility are brilliantly displayed by Stokes. When he flips his hips he does it with force, (do they create a small burst of wind?), and fluidity. When back pedaling, he seems to move well with his receiver. Rarely does he get beat deep, and he maintains body control with the ball in the air.

I also love the way he forces receivers to the sideline making it harder to catch the ball in bounds. I think he was so dominant that teams actually looked to pick on Campbell rather than Stokes. He was only targeted 28 times where he allowed a 57 percent completion rate and only one touchdown. Against Alabama, I see him challenged very rarely. That pass interference call against him in that game was suspect at least!

Weaknesses

Lack of strength and size. Stokes stands 6’1″, but only 185 lbs. His slender frame raises some concerns about his press ability and his durability in the NFL. I believe he can add a bit of weight, but I don’t want him to lose his burst. I don’t see him aggressive in the run game, but he makes up for that with his blanket coverage. He isn’t going to be a tackling corner like Antoine Winfield Sr. was.

Sometimes Stokes can get grabby, and in college he seemed to get away with it but he will have to clean that up in the NFL, as it will lead to unneeded penalties. He has all the ability to play the route without holding. Lastly, he leaves a bit too much room on medium routes at times but I’m unsure if that was scheme related at this point.

After watching all the film and his pro day I stand firm that if he weighed 15 pounds more we would see him unanimously as the number 3 CB in this class, and a potential top 15 pick. That being said, he doesn’t weigh 200lbs and is being viewed as a second rounder. Stokes should be able to step into the NFL and play for a team from day one in nickel packages, or as a legit starting corner on a team in need. If he adds some muscle and works on the grabbing he should find success as a starter for years to come.

Team Fits

To me Stokes is more suited to a man defense, but he has ability in zone as well. I just believe he could shine as a man cover corner, unfortunately we see more and more zone every year. He may go in the later picks of round one, but in the second a team looking for a playmaker in the secondary should jump on him early. I think he would fit well in Tennessee, Kansas City, or New England. If the Cardinals don’t address corner in the first round, which they shouldn’t unless Farley is available, they should be running Stokes’ name to the podium at pick 49 or be on the phone trading up a bit to get him!