Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft Preview: Kevin King
By Jeremy Meek
Cornerback Kevin King has everything an NFL team could want in the secondary
In a deep class at the cornerback position, players are constantly moving up and down draft boards. Workouts are big factors, but also, more tape gets watched, interviews happen, and things change that affect draft stock. One guy who is on the rise is former Washington cornerback Kevin King.
The Cardinals have a huge need at cornerback. Patrick Peterson is one of the NFL’s best, but across from him, it’s been a revolving door. It’s a near certainty that they draft a player to be the long-term solution at the number two corner spot.
On the surface, it’s hard not to be enamored with King’s length. He stands 6’3″ with 32-inch arms, and his 39 1/2-inch vertical leap gives him a tremendous advantage. Add in his 4.43 speed and his position leading agility drill numbers, and he seems less like a football player, and more like a cyborg.
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On the field, he has some nice qualities as well. His ball skills are top notch, as he tends to get his hands on the ball often. His instincts, once the ball is in the air, are terrific, and he rarely got beaten at the college level.
There are sure to be concerns about his size, and his related ability to tackle. He’s just 200 lbs despite his height, and hasn’t been a consistent tackler in the past. NFL teams might try to add muscle if he can do so without losing his quickness. Right now, he might not be effective as a press corner.
The Cardinals might elect to wait until round two to pick a cornerback. King, however, is shooting up draft boards, and might not be around by Arizona’s second pick. If he does happen to fall, his combination of size and skill is going to be very hard to pass on.