1st Round (29th Overall) CB Eric Stokes

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

3 years ago

Eric Stokes | Cornerback | Georgia | 6'0" - 194 lbs.

Pro day testing: 4.31 40-yard dash, 38.5” vertical jump, 10’8” broad jump, 6.96 three-cone, 4.36 shuttle, 14 bench press reps

Summary
Despite being a redshirt junior, Eric Stokes was one of the veterans on a young, talented Georgia defense where he was part one of a two-headed corner duo with fellow 2021 NFL Draft hopeful Tyson Campbell. A three-year contributor at Georgia, Stokes found all of his career interceptions in 2020 with four while taking two of them for touchdowns. Stokes burned up his pro day, exhibiting track speed and explosiveness in his testing. The problem is that one of the primary issues with Stokes when you pop on his tape is functional athleticism on the football field. Mechanical transitions and limited agility will hold Stokes back in off-man situations. Overall, Stokes should be a second-round pick who gets the opportunity as a No. 2 corner to play primarily in zone or press man coverage. Although, cornerback needy teams could reach in the back end of the first for a player like Stokes.

Strengths
[list]

Length is an asset to affect throwing windows in zone coverage

Ball production took a major leap in 2020

Zone spacing is very good; excels playing in “cloud” coverage where he can roam 7-10 yards off the line of scrimmage

Does well to force boundary receivers to the sideline in man coverage; gives himself the leverage to win in these situations

At his best when he can use his physicality to affect opposing receivers; it’s a key crutch to allowing him to mirror routes

Football IQ is one of his best attributes; he often reads the quarterback’s eyes and takes worthwhile gambles to make a play on the ball[/list]

Weaknesses
[list]

Technique can get sloppy; panic can set in when receiver forces the issue

Play speed doesn’t line up with pro day testing

Transitions can be a bit mechanical

Not agile in short areas; Alabama (2020) gave him fits

Can get grabby at the top of the route stem

Stiff lower half will limit his NFL potential

Explosive route runners are going to give him trouble at the next level

A much more comfortable player in zone than man coverage

Struggles mightily to stay in phase with off-man coverage

[*]Generally not an active participant in run support[/list]

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go.pack.go.
Veteran Member

3 years ago

I like the pick. We now have a very fast secondary with him, Savage, and Alexander. Anything to take Kevin King off the field more is a good thing. I don’t know much about him but I’m excited for the pick.

Mucky Tundra
Veteran Member

3 years ago

Well I'm sold on the guy

“Nah. I like having the island. It’s pretty cool...not too many visitors”

"I’ve got it." -Aaron Rodgers

floydgator
Rookie

3 years ago

Here's the problem: Eric Stokes can't play football.

This is yet another ridiculously bad pick by GB. Elijah Moore was right there. He solved sooooo many issues. It was a no brainer. Regardless of position, he was the best player on the board and he fit a huge need. Any idiot could have made this pick. Best case scenario, the coaching staff can teach Eric Stokes to use his athleticism to actually be a competent corner. In year 3. When we are starting a stiff at QB. Even then, this dude won't tackle. He avoids contact like the plague.

Corner is a huge need. The solution fell into our laps there too. Greg newsome was available until pick 26. We could have moved up using nothing more than a 3rd round pick to get a guy WHO ACTUALLY CAN PLAY CORNER.

Elijah Moore - easy call
Jeremiah Owosu-Karamoah - fits a need, good at football, good value
Teven Jenkins - best OT on the board, fits need, good at football
Eric Stokes - no, seriously, stop laughing.

earthquake
Member

3 years ago

Originally Posted by: floydgator

"Eric Stokes can't play football."... I'm sure with this detailed, well reasoned analysis the Chicago Bears will be calling you any minute to offer a scouting position.

I'm pretty sure a player being picked 3 slots before your selection is, well, the opposite of what people mean mean when they say "fell into their lap". For instance, Aaron Rodgers "fell into the Packers lap" in 2005.

Of course it will be interesting to see whether Newsome or Stokes ends up being the better pro, given that they were taken 3 picks apart.

Now, back to reality where nobody knows if this will be a good pick for 2 or 3 years, here's some film study on the kid.

blank

KRK
Veteran Member

3 years ago

meh
Esp with Jenkins at OT there and arguably better picks at the position

In Luce tua Videmus Lucem KRK

nerdmann
Premier Member

3 years ago

Definitely an analytics pick, but dude wouldn't be ranked in the 2nd if he couldn't play.

There's a little stiffness, but there's also a ton of make up speed. Anyway, get him in touch with Tramon's yoga instructor. Work that stiffness out of his hips. BOOM.

As for tackling, I tjink he's ok. I'm not big on CBs coming up in run support all the time. Remember what happened to Sam Shields?

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

3 years ago

PFF GB Packers @PFF_Packers -Among draft eligible CBs, Eric Stokes had the highest man coverage grade during his career (89.3) at Georgia

wpr
Preferred Member

3 years ago

Super fast but can't tackle. Eh. Kind of typical for a lot of CBs.
Ok pick. Fits a desperate need. King will begin the season as the starter but Stokes will take over the gig before the playoffs. As the CB2 he should work out fine. He's better in zone than man but GB plays zone so not so much of an issue. Some of his weaknesses will be mitigated by coaching.
With his speed and (hopefully) elusiveness, might see him return punts.

wpr
Preferred Member

3 years ago

#10

PFF GB Packers @PFF_Packers -Among draft eligible CBs, Eric Stokes had the highest man coverage grade during his career (89.3) at Georgia

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

Interesting. I've heard/read he's a zone coverage dude.

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