Channing Stribling, CB: An Underrated Physical Corner Who Can Play Centerfield

Channing Stribling, CB
School: Michigan | Conference: BIG-10
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 188 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 5th Round
NFL Comparison: Phillip Gaines

College Statistics

Player Overview

Channing Stribling is one of the forgotten key contributors for the Wolverines defense. Playing alongside future high round picks like Taco Charlton, Jabrill Peppers, Chris Wormley, and Jourdan Lewis he sort of fades into the background. Stribling patrolled the field opposite of Lewis and more than held his own. He has a long frame and excels in zone coverage more than he does man. He can blanket his opposition once they enter his zone and uses his length to his advantage. He’s not afraid to play physically at the LOS or in coverage. He competes on every play and what stood out to me about him was his fearlessness in attacking the ball. He is excellent at tracking the ball in the air and can get himself into the receiver’s hip, locate it, and can make a play on the ball with the pass defended numbers to back it up. Concerns about him being too aggressive are valid. As much as I like his ability to blanket he can get too aggressive at times and draws penalties. There are also concerns about his long speed and acceleration. An interesting idea I have heard floated out revolves around making Stribling a FS. If he can gain a few pounds I like that idea very much because it will let Stribling use his biggest strength which is playing in zone coverage and tracking the ball.

Strengths

• Has good length for the position and knows how to use it. Able to check the receiver downfield and reach in for a break up at the last moment.
• Aggressive play style. Bumps receivers on routes and can check them at the LOS. Sticks with his opponent like a shadow and is a nuisance.
• Great vision and anticipation. Keeps eyes on his man and the QB and is able to use his understanding of routes and angles to his advantage to get a step on the receiver.
• Excellent at tracking the ball in the air. Made a couple top 10 highlight worthy interceptions this year.
• Physical player that is willing to come up to the LOS and tackle. He is also reliable tackling in space.

Weaknesses

• Aggressive and physical play can also be costly. He drew several pass interference calls on tape and because of his lack of a 3rd gear gets grabby when the receiver has a step on him.
• Body is slightly light for the corner position and he doesn't have the quicks to stick in the slot to justify it. For the safety position, he definitely needs to add some bulk.
• Just a decent athlete lacks long speed, twitch quickness, and acceleration. Can get left behind by speedsters and can take false steps with shifty guys.

Let’s see his work:

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

Channing Stribling provides another late option for the Redskins at the corner position and potentially at free safety. In the past, the Redskins secondary has used zone coverage heavily and that is an area where he excels. I really like the vision and anticipation he shows despite not being a special athlete. He makes a lot of plays because of the type of competitor he is and his because of his football intelligence. He won’t quit until the play is over. He is a good tackler as well so should be able to provide not only depth but special teams. The idea of him at free safety is interesting to me though I don’t know how practical. He has the coverage ability and ball skills for sure to play center field but I question his ability in the deep third against NFL QBs that can deliver a deep strike. How fast can he move from center to sideline? He’ll also have to spend time in the weight room to bulk up. Stribling probably deserves a little more notoriety than he’s been getting but if the buzz around him remains quiet he could be a day 3 gem for a team looking for coverage help.