Official Eric Stokes, 2021 #1 Pick thread.

[George Cumby]

Post articles/links/analysis here.

You guys are slacking.

[smuggler]

Teams throwing against him in 2020 experienced a negative expected points added rating of -16, higher than that of Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II. He was taking away more than half a point per target.

https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/23/eric-stokes-potential-nfl-draft-steal-hiding-plain-sight

[Sparkey]

https://sports.yahoo.com/why-packers-fans-excited-eric-162435807.html

https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2021/04/30/packers-draft-eric-stokes-what-know-georgia-cornerback/4864040001/

https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2021/04/29/what-draft-analysts-said-about-new-packers-cb-eric-stokes/

[Sparkey]

Dane Brugler, The Athletic (draft guide): “A two-year starter at Georgia, Stokes lined up at right cornerback in head coach Kirby Smart’s 3-3-5 base scheme, seeing time inside and outside. After moving to cornerback as a senior in high school, he quickly adapted to the position in the SEC, impressing the coaches with his ability to apply coaching and trust his skill set. Stokes enjoyed his best season in 2020 with four interceptions and allowing only 38.5% completions when targeted. Stokes has elite NFL play speed and won’t lose many foot races. He uses body control, patience and footwork to stay square and in phase. While his competitiveness downfield is a positive trait, he panics at times and needs to be more subtle with his contact (nine penalties in college). Overall, Stokes must correct his play recognition and transition flaws, but his size, speed and promising ball awareness are undeniable and scheme-versatile traits that will help him compete for starting reps early in his NFL career.”

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: “Stokes is a size/speed cornerback with good ball skills. He flashes a one-hand jam to re-route in press coverage, but he’s a little rigid when he has to open up and turn/run. He has plenty of recovery speed if he’s beat off the line. He has good eyes to key/read and drive on the ball in off coverage. He is very aware in the deep third, showing the ability to find and play the ball. He isn’t a smooth/fluid mover, but he is very explosive in a straight line. He’s an effective blitzer with timing and burst to close. He is a reliable tackler in space, as well. Overall, Stokes has some tightness, but I love his size/speed combination. He has a chance to develop into a solid starter at the next level.”

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: Depending upon scheme, need or preference, Stokes offers teams the potential to play him outside or from the slot. Speed and quickness should allow him to stay with route runners or within close-out distance when he gets behind. Stokes played with better press technique in 2020 and he’s willing to get physical near the goal line, but his play strength is below average. While there have been mild flashes of playmaking potential, he’s more likely to play the receiver rather than attacking the football and looking for takeaways. He’s twitchy in tight quarters with the potential to become more disruptive in zone. His size, speed and athleticism could make him a Day 2 pick as a future CB3, but his weakness as a run defender will be challenged quickly by NFL offenses.

Mike Renner, Pro Football Focus (draft guide): “One thing is for sure: Georgia is going to miss Stokes in its secondary. He’s been easily the most consistent corner in the SEC outside of Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II over the past three seasons. In 2020, Stokes had five full games where he allowed fewer than 10 yards. He goes about his business very quietly and rarely gives opponents clean opportunities. He’s no stranger to college football’s lack of an illegal contact penalty, though, and does a lot of his dirty work via contacting receivers. He might struggle transitioning to the NFL when that’s not the case.”

Jordan Reid, The Draft Network: “From 2019 to 2020, Eric Stokes has certainly improved at being more opportunistic with regards to securing turnovers. He can mirror from a press position, but he can afford to clean up his technique—particularly his eye discipline in man coverage and getting “grabby” at the top of the route. He has shown the ability to play in man or zone from a press and occasional off position, but he does not play to his high-level timed speed with his play. He’s not a dynamic closer at the top of the route and lacks elite short-area, stop-and-start agility. His skill set may be best suited in a predominantly zone situation where he can play with vision and utilize his ball skills to make plays.”

Bleacher Report Scouting Department: “Stokes is a speedy, cover first corner. Playing in the SEC, he has the speed to run with most receivers he came up against. He is able to mirror and stay in receivers’ hip pockets; though at times he struggled to drop his hips when open in full stride. He has shown the vision and awareness needed in zone coverage. He will need to improve his physicality in the run game. Even with his open-field tackling being a bit of a concern at times, he is able to hold his own and get the ball-carrier down for the most part. With the potential to be an NFL starter, Stokes will need to sure up his consistency.”

Mark Schofield, Touchdown Wire: “If an experienced cornerback who played at a high level in the SEC and is ready to handle a variety of coverage responsibilities in the NFL sounds like your cup of tea, then Stokes might be the player for you. He is a schematically-diverse cornerback with man coverage skills, including from press alignments, as well as the ability to handle zone coverages without panicking or bailing out of his drop early in the down. He is very patient in press alignment, waiting for the receiver to make his move before firing out his hands to get into the receiver’s body. A perfect example of this comes from his game against Florida, where he was aligned in press down near the goal line and prevented a touchdown on a slant route. He is physical off the line, and if you remember Malcolm Butler’s interception at the end of Super Bowl XLIX you might also remember what Brandon Browner did on that play, driving into the receiver off the snap. Stokes did the exact same thing on a similar design against the Gators this year.”

[Sparkey]

DOUBLE POST.. SORRY

[smuggler]

Technically you're at 3-in-a-row. You should've just owned it, Sparks!

[HarveyWallbangers]

I'm guessing this will be the only A grade, so I might as well post it.

https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-day-1-quick-snap-grades-for-all-32-teams

Analysis: Cornerback was a major need for the Packers, even after re-signing Kevin King. Stokes was in the first-round conversation even before his 4.29 pro day 40 yard-dash, thanks to his fluid hips and excellent ball skills. He can play in the slot or outside, so this was an excellent usage of the pick. I expect them to find another receiver and offensive line help in Rounds 2-4.

[smuggler]

Reuter gave only one grade lower than a B. It was a C.

[RashanGary]

I'm guessing this will be the only A grade, so I might as well post it.

https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-dr...r-all-32-teams

It looks like he gave 80% A’s. McGinns scouts talked some shit about Stokes just being an athlete. But they talked shit about Rodgers and other great players too.

[RashanGary]

I think over the years media have talked shit about players who became HOFers so they just lean on the safe side and like everyone.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think over the years media have talked shit about players who became HOFers so they just lean on the safe side and like everyone.

McGinn's scouts always were overly harsh on prospects. I still enjoyed reading them, but scouts are grumpy.

[Upnorth]

The more I have read the more I love stokes as #2. And he should improve to be a 1b in all likely hood. Hugh upside player.

[RashanGary]

The more I have read the more I love stokes as #2. And he should improve to be a 1b in all likely hood. Hugh upside player.

I give him a one year grace period to figure it out. Glad we still have King to ease the transition. Maybe the new coaching staff will be able to reach king and he’ll repeat 2019

[HarveyWallbangers]

It's tough when there are prospects you like there (JOK, Barmore, Jenkins for some), but I can't get down on this pick. He was my next CB, and really he is the CB that probably is the most similar to Greg Newsome. Athletically, size wise, versatility wise they are pretty similar. Stokes doesn't come with the injury concerns that Newsome does. In my spreadsheet I have Newsome slightly more agile, a little better in zone (Stokes solid, Newsome good), and with a little better instincts (Stokes good, Newsome great). I have Stokes a little taller, slightly faster and more explosive, and a little better tackler. I rate both good in man and press and both with solid ball skills.

The consensus had Samuel next and then Stokes, but that wasn't universal. I also think Stokes is a better fit for the Packers because of Samuel's height and the possibility that Samuel will be a slot CB only--although I feel he can play outside CB in a primarily zone scheme.

[call_me_ishmael]

It's hard to argue with this pick. It's not what I envisioned originally but on paper fortifying the position that was burned so badly in the NFCC seems like a good idea.