Aqib Talib

by Romans12 on Mar 5, 2008 9:37 PM EST

Mel Kiper's most recent mock draft predicts that the Redskins will take Aqib Talib with the 21st pick.

I generally trust Kiper's mocks more than Todd McShay's and others, although it is still way too early to get a solid idea of who is picking who. This may be a year where we see a lot of trades up top which makes this draft even harder to project.

Aqib Talib may actually be an intriguing pick for us. I personally think he is the best CB in this class. Most scouting reports talk about his game changing ability. He get's his hands on a lot of balls in the air, 13 deflected passes and 5 picks last year. A couple of those, he took back for six. Talib is also great on third down which would be a great addition to a defense that really improved on third down last year after a horrible '06.

What intrigues me so much about this pick is Talib's potential on the other side of the ball. He showed an ability to make big plays as a WR. He had 13 balls thrown to him, caught 8, and scored 4 of those. Not bad. Some other numbers worth mentioning, 6'1, 202 lbs, 4.4 40 yard time, and a vertical of 38 inches. I still expect us to pick up a WR via free agency or the draft, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to have his size and play making ability as a 4th or 5th WR.

This projection is sure to change, but it's always fun to speculate.

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There is no way...

that a rookie plays on both sides of the ball in the NFL. Even a "weapon" as good as Hester took 2 years (and even then, he wasn't much of a threat last year... and even then, he stopped playing defense completely to focus on offense/returning.)

I think he'll be a good pick for whoever drafts him and if he falls, it would be hard for the Skins to pass him up. But I have a feeling that he'll be gone before pick #21.

If he's there, I'd be hard pressed to come up with anyone else on the board that I'd take over him.

by TexSkins on Mar 5, 2008 10:00 PM EST reply actions

Ya, there are other

teams that could use CB help, and I don't know if we will be that fortunate. I certainly won't complain if we nabbed him, though.

by JustinU804 on Mar 6, 2008 9:52 AM EST reply actions

Scouting report from Sporting News.com

Strengths: Is smart. Reads the quarterback well in zone or "off" coverage, and flashes ability to plant, drive and close quickly to play the ball. Shows body control and hands to cut in front of receivers to make interceptions. In "off" coverage, shows a quick, compact backpedal and closes quickly. Has good height and long arms to cut off and shield tall receivers and to reach around and break up passes even when lacking ideal position. Shows good open-field running skills, making plays as a punt returner and occasional wide receiver in college.

Weaknesses: Is not tough or aggressive; does not fly upfield to make tackles on short passes or fight through blocks to reach ballcarriers. Gets upright in bump-and-run coverage and uses hands to jam receivers inconsistently, allowing easy releases. Loses a step when flipping hips to turn and run with receivers, and lacks the burst to catch up. Lacks elite explosiveness and speed. When running with receivers downfield man-to-man, does not read their eyes or sense the ball, hindering ability to turn head in time to break up passes.

Bottom line: Talib, a junior, could have improved his draft stock by returning to Kansas and playing with greater toughness and consistency. He is a frustrating prospect because he makes enough plays to warrant being a starter but allows too many catches -- especially downfield -- and is a non-factor as a tackler on plays in front of him. Talib probably will be drafted higher than we have him rated but will struggle to produce as a high draft pick should. His ability to contribute as a punt returner and possibly as a receiver is an added value.

He's ranked number 11 overall for CBs for these guys...he could slip into the second round becasue of a supposed unwillingness to be aggressive against the run. Because of having London fletcher on patrol, and HB blades hopfully after that, I'm hardly worried. I want a guy that excels isn coverage...though I still think we could do just a well at CB in round 2. if a good DE is available, we should go for it.

by JustinU804 on Mar 6, 2008 10:07 AM EST reply actions