Overview
King's 2022 performance was significantly better than what he put on tape in 2023, but it might not be enough to sway some evaluators. King was consistently rocked out of position by route breaks over the first two levels and didn't find the ball frequently enough with his back to the passer on deep shots. He doesn't have the fluidity to just mirror and match routes, so he'll need to get back to playing more physically from press to slow down route momentum. King is more than capable of tilting 50/50 balls in his favor when he's in position, but finding positioning in man or zone coverages as a pro could be very challenging.

Strengths

• Showed ability to slow press release with his hands in 2022.
• Finished 2022 with 15 pass breakups and three interceptions.
• Opens gait and strides with long routes downfield.
• Swings long arms around receiver to swat throws away when in position.
• Comes up and shocks perimeter blockers with good punch.

Weaknesses

• Lacks change-of-direction balance for sticky man coverage.
• Easy catch windows were consistently opened on him in 2023.
• Loses coverage focus when attacked with combo routes.
• Can be a step slow reading quarterback's operation from zone.
• Rushes downhill with poor technique and control as a tackler.

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Eh looks good to me

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Jayden Reed is a fan

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So Kalen King ran a 4.8 40, and Marvin Harrison JR ran a 4.3. Doesn't look that slow on the video above though. What's the deal? A case of having football speed but not testing well? Or just didn't do the right training to run a fast 40 time?

It will be interesting to see how he pans out.

Also, I gotta be honest, I saw his name come up and had a bit of Kevin King PTSD.

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If we get two good CBs in the 7th in back to back years, fans will be screaming to do it every year.

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I'm not sure why he had a poor 40 time. Some guys have poor ones at the combine but do better during pro days and individual work outs. He's a real low risk high reward player. Are you getting the guy who looked like he would go in the 1st/early 2nd before the start of the college season? Are you getting the guy who struggled his last year and went in the 7th? Or are you getting something in between?

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I think one of the keys to 40 times and making.vs breaking it is the 10 yard times... and I think that's where the track training helps the most.

And it looks like Clay Matthews ran a faster 10 yard time than King did, so yeah, I don't he did good training for the 40... but Kevin King got.the worst start of all of them and had the best final time.

PS: Clay Matthews got a shockingly amazing 10 yard time for his size, he clearly trained for it.

Also it looks like he ran a 4.6 not a 4.8, also Harrison had to go around him and he had a couple yard start.

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per McGinn
KALEN KING, CB, PENN STATE
Rd. 7/Pk. 255.
Height: 5-11.
Weight: 190.
40: 4.57.
Hometown: Detroit.

Fact/stat: Third-year junior. Ran slow 40’s at the combine (4.58) and pro day (4.55). Vertical jump was 37, broad jump was 10-2. In 2022, his first year as a full-fledged starter, he intercepted three passes, broke up 21 and was second team All-America. Last year, he had no picks and broke up two. Kobe, his twin brother, returned for his senior season at Penn State after finishing second on the team in tackles with 59. He’s an inside linebacker.

NFC scout: “He’s third day. He was supposed to be the anointed (successor) to Joey Porter but he’s not because he’s got emotional, competitive, ‘I’m not the guy” issues. He doesn’t want to be the guy. He’s got some (issues).”

AFC scout: “Don’t watch Ohio State (Oct. 21) – it was the worst game he ever played in his life. He doesn’t play with the confidence of a guy with his athletic ability. You’d like having him in the locker room. He’s kind of going down. There was a little bit of hype on him in the preseason. His tape from ’22 is better than ’23. One week he’ll go out and play good, then against Ohio State he got the shit kicked out of him. He’s a really inconsistent guy. Should have gone back to school. He’s a free agent. He’s just not very good.”

NFC scout: “He won’t be on some people’s boards with that kind of time. But this kid will play in the league. He has size, quicks, instincts, long arms (30 7/8) and was aggressive in both phases of the game.”

AFC scout: “I didn’t like that guy at all. I didn’t see it.”

NFC scout: “I like (teammate) Johnny Dixon a little more than King.”

NFC scout: “I thought I was going to see a lot more. Decent athlete. Really good instincts. Struggles in man coverage at all different levels. Ankle-biter in run support. Backup zone type guy. Coming into the process he was way up there and then it just …”

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It's puzzling to see a player projected to go high in the draft end up at the bottom of the draft the next year. I'm sure he has a chip on his shoulder. Valentine should look out.

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