Cowboys 2021 draft prospects: Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II scouting report

The Cowboys have the 10th pick in the upcoming draft and cornerback is certainly a need. Today, we look at draft prospect Patrick Surtain II.

Name: Patrick Surtain II

School: Alabama

Height: 6-1

Weight: 203

Class: Junior

Position: CB

Jersey: #2

Strengths:

Long, physical, press-man cover with the ability to dominate at the line of scrimmage. Son of a former cornerback, and you can tell it when watching his tape. Has struggled to finish plays on the ball, but he constantly puts himself in position for interceptions and PBU’s. Always battles at the catch-point, making life difficult on WR’s to finish plays. Zero panic with his back to the football, and he’s actually very comfortable in those situations. Plays with excellent patience when in coverage and rarely gets caught out of synch. High-level football IQ with advanced understanding of route concepts and what receivers are attempting to set him up with. Stays in phase very well throughout routes in all three levels of the field. Can drive on the football from off-man coverage with ease, and trusts his eyes when reading and reacting.

Weaknesses:

Thought he struggled in zone-coverage throughout his career. Needs to do a better job of finishing when making plays on the football. Needs to improve his physicality against the run when taking on blockers out on the boundary. Overall athleticism is a bit concerning as he struggled with long-speed, and mirroring shiftier receivers at the line of scrimmage who beat him off the line of scrimmage. Lacks the ideal recovering quickness and twitch to recover against speedier receivers.

Overall Summary:

From a press-man coverage perspective, it’s tough to find a better option than Patrick Surtain II. Possessing excellent length, coverage skills, and football IQ, Surtain II was born and raised by his father to be a cover-cornerback and that’s exactly what he is. Surtain’s biggest concerns come with the lack of ideal athleticism and long-speed for the position, putting his ability to cover the smaller, shiftier receivers in question. Even with those questions, Surtain’s length, technique, and physicality make up for a lot of the issues regarding his overall athleticism. Surtain II is a great fit in Dan Quinn’s system due to his size, length, and ability to excel as a man-cover corner, but will need to develop in zone and off-man reps in order to max out his potential.

Round Grade:

1st (#13 Overall)

Video Breakdowns: