The 2021 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Patrick Surtain II 2021 NFL Draft Profile.
Patrick Surtain II Background
Position: Cornerback
Size: 6-foot-2, 202 pounds
Class: Junior
2020 stats: 37 total tackles, one interception, one touchdown, nine passes defended
Surtain has been one of the best defensive backs in college football over the last few seasons. He is now following in his dad’s footsteps and preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Out of high school, Surtain was one of the best defensive backs in the country and chose to play for Nick Saban at Alabama. As a freshman, Surtain had a huge role with 37 total tackles, one interception and seven passes defended, which resulted in him being named a Freshman All-American. The Crimson Tide lost in the National Championship Game to Clemson that season. He took a huge step as a sophomore with 42 total tackles, two interceptions and eight passes defended. Alabama had a solid season during Surtain’s sophomore season, which resulted in a win over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl to end the year. Surtain cemented himself as one of the best corners in the country in 2020 with 37 total tackles, one interception, one touchdown and nine passes defended. His play helped Alabama win the National Championship this season.
After helping his team reach the peak of accomplishment in college football, Surtain is off to the NFL. He is projected to be a top 15 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Strengths
Surtain has really good measurables for an NFL corner. At 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, Surtain has the height and weight to matchup with bigger receivers. He also has long arms, which can disrupt wide receivers at the line of scrimmage. Surtain is solidly filled out well and has the strength to battle with receivers on the outside.
Teams that play a lot of zone will love Surtain. He has the length that is desired by zone schemes. Surtain also has great awareness. Surtain keeps his eyes on the quarterback and reads where they may be throwing the ball. He also recognizes when to cover someone and when to pass them off to a safety. His smarts, length and communication will make him great in zone coverage.
His ball skills are among the best in the class. Once the ball is thrown his way, he drives towards it to force an incompletion. He is capable of laying down a hit or swatting the pass down to force an incompletion. He can also pick the ball off at a decent rate. Surtain is a threat to take it back to the house when he gets his hands on it, which happened once in 2020.
Weaknesses
The biggest question mark that will come up when looking at Surtain is his longspeed. He has the quickness and change of direction skill to stay with wide receivers on most routes. If they go on deep routes though, they have an opportunity to separate from Surtain, which makes him susceptible to deep plays.
Surtain doesn’t help out that much in run support. It is an effort thing, as Surtain has the height and weight to be a difference-maker on the perimeter. Surtain needs to shed blocks better and then pursue ball carriers better. Once they are close to Surtain he can do a better job tackling.
When a ball carrier or receiver is in his area, Surtain needs to do a better job of finishing the play with a tackle. Again, he has the frame to be a good tackler. He needs to square up ball carriers and drive them to the ground rather than throwing disinterested arm tackles their way.
Projected Draft Range: Top 15 Pick
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