PROSPECT SUMMARY - ERIC STOKES

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.

Ideal Role: Outside-only corner in subpackage situations.

Scheme Fit: His skill set is best suited in a predominantly zone scheme.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Drae Harris

Games watched: Tennessee (2019), Auburn (2019), Alabama (2020)

Best Game Studied: Tennessee (2019)

Worst Game Studied: Alabama (2020)

Man Coverage: He has flashed moments of being very good in man coverage situations. He's much more proficient when playing from a press position than he is in off coverage. He also tends to get a little “grabby” at the top of the route in coverage.

Zone Coverage: Zone coverage fits his skill set better than man coverage does because he is not an elite athlete. When he aligns in zone, he can play with vision, pass off routes, and make plays on the football.

Ball Skills: He has done an excellent job of taking advantage of creating turnovers when the opportunity has presented itself in 2020. This shows tremendous growth on his part from 2019 to the present. He also has shown moments of losing the football down the field. Overall, he's been much improved in this regard.

Tackling: He's been efficient as a tackler. On the perimeter, he's done a good job of staying close to the receiver, making it easier to secure the tackle. In the run game, he is willing to come up as a physical tackler, especially in “force” situations while in zone.

Versatility: There's not a lot of positional flexibility with this player, as his skill set suggests he is best suited outside. However, he does have some schematic versatility in his ability to play well in zone coverage schemes and sufficiently in man coverage situations.

Competitive Toughness: He does a good job of competing when the ball arrives at the catch point. Although he's somewhat limited in this regard, he works to close separation and use his length to get his hands on the football. He also demonstrates his competitive toughness in his ability to be a contributor in the run game.

Functional Athleticism: Functional athleticism is not a strength of his. He doesn’t have dynamic agility, nor does he have elite play speed. He also is not explosive in 50/50 jump ball situations.

Football IQ: He demonstrates good football intelligence in his play. This is really apparent in his ability to play zone coverages, as he passes off routes. He also has a good understanding of when he has safety help and can be more aggressive on underneath throws in zone.

Run Defense: He is a willing tackler against the run. He has also demonstrated that in zone coverage, he will willingly come up as the force player against the run. He does a good job of getting the runner on the ground in these situations.

Length: He certainly appears to have good length to play the position. This is also evidenced in his ability to press at the line of scrimmage. His length serves him well in red zone situations and with regards to 50/50 balls.

Prospect Comparison: Josh Norman (2012 NFL Draft, Carolina Panthers)