Can the Alabama player be among the very best in his position from his rookie year?
Terrion Arnold – Cornerback – 21 years old – RS Sophomore – Alabama
Height: 1.82m
Weight: 86 kg
2023 stats: 14 games, 63 tackles (including 6.5 for loss), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 5 interceptions, 12 passes defended
Estimated position in the draft: 1st round (top 15)
NFL Comparison: Jaylon Johnson
Basketball fan, sprinter as a teenager, it was nevertheless towards American football that Terrion Arnold would have a professional career. Author of an incredible 2023 season with Alabama, the cornerback has all the elements to become one of the best players at his position in the years to come.
Leader in interceptions in one of the best conferences in the country (SEC), he was named to the first team of the university season (First Team All-American). Under the leadership of newly retired Nick Saban, he was able to make the transition from the safety position to that of outside cornerback. As a result, Terrion Arnold could be the first Alabama player selected in this 2024 NFL Draft.
Terrion Arnold's strengths
- Anticipation
- Aerial coverage
- Athletic qualities
In 2 seasons at Alabama, his main quality is his anticipation. As an outside cornerback, his athleticism and speed mean that every ball thrown his way has a high chance of being intercepted.
Not hesitating to “jump” on his opponent when he is marking, he does not hesitate to make good use of his hands. Considering his adolescence spent on the basketball courts, his knowledge of the game as well as his ability to read shots is impressive at his young age.
Mastering all types of coverage, he positions himself well as soon as the play gets underway. His excellent football IQ allows him to be patient before being able to make the decisive play. Combining this with his ability for speed and acceleration will make him a player respected by attackers.
On the ground game, he has the versatility to play at the same level as when facing the aerial game. His ability to get rid of blocks is improving, and could show blitz skills that we rarely saw at Alabama.
Terrion Arnold's weak points
- Management changes
- Route recognition
- Discipline
Being athletic is good. Tracking and locating the ball is better. This ability is being developed at Terrion Arnold. At present, it is not optimal, it is sometimes even laborious. The physical movement he produces when trying to keep up with receivers is still messy. In this area mainly, he needs to improve.
His slender physique is good for the outside cornerback position. However, facing more seasoned receivers and running very good routes, he can be a dilettante, sometimes lacking concentration. His athleticism might not be enough. Thus, he could concede the reception, while his capacity for anticipation is very good.
Another warning for the team that will select him: he can sometimes have wandering hands in the wrong place. This could therefore cost him some penalties. Same story in the area of tackles. In this area, he will have to demonstrate more technique and refinement. His missed tackle percentage isn't the worst. That doesn't change the fact that he's going to have to make progress in this area if he wants to have a chance of playing every Sunday in the NFL.
Possible destinations
Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars.
He may not be the most polished of cornerbacks. The certainty we have on his profile is that Terrion Arnold has the athletic potential and football IQ sufficient to establish himself in the NFL in the long term.
The team that drafts him is going to have a cornerback who can play in the slot from the first week, before a certain development on the outside. Versatile, he masters all types of coverage and is a decent player on running plays.
The teams listed as possible destinations have at least one cornerback certain to have a starting spot. On the other hand, for a number 2 cornerback position, the Alabama player has the necessary talent to win the sesame.
