Alphonzo Dennard Scouting Report

Alphonzo Dennard

Position: Cornerback
School: Nebraska
Year: Senior
Height: 5'10
Weight: 203
Draft Stock: Late 1st / #4 Cornerback

Strengths
-Very tough and physical. Loves to jam receivers at the line
-Able to give punishing hits to the ball carrier or a receiver
-Very good tackler. Doesn't miss very many. Willing run defender
-Team leader and strong work ethic
-High Football IQ. Was able to grasp a complex defense and get on the field as a freshman
-Good footwork that allows him to stick with receivers
-Very quick and explosive. Often beats receivers to spots.
-Makes up for his lack of height with great leaping ability
-Good hands. 4 INTs in junior year
-Very productive and tested. 4 picks in '10 when teams threw away from Amukamara.
-Great Tape(shut down McNutt, Cunningham, and Blackmon)
-Does a good job in zone coverage of reading and reacting

Weaknesses
-Injury Concerns (Hamstring, concussion, shoulder, hip)
-Height. Only 5'10
-Doesn't have blazing speed. (Projected 4.5 40 time)
-Doesn't fit every scheme.
-Can be too aggressive and too physical at times (will take some time adjusting to NFL rules)

Summary
Alphonzo Dennard has enjoyed a very productive college career at Nebraska. Often overshadowed by Prince Amukamara, Dennard has been considered by most to be the better cover corner. And the film shows it. Good check out his tapes against Oklahoma State, Michigan State, and Iowa and you'll see him shut down three of the top WRs in this class (Blackmon, Cunningham, and McNutt). Dennard has good quickness and footwork that allows him to stick to receviers and shut them down. Dennard also has a ton of experience playing in an NFL system and his ability to pick it up as a freshman will help him see the field right away. He knock on Denanrd is his size, but he makes up for it with his strength, quickness, and jumping ability. He has matched up very well against the likes of Alshon Jeffery and Justin Blackmon. With his poor showing (had a hip flexor injury) at the Senior Bowl, Dennard will need a good combine to show teams his fluid hips he showed during his college career. Dennard should be able to fit with almost every team, but he is much better when he is making plays in front of him rather than playing in an off man to man scheme. Teams that run the Tampa 2 or the Patriots style will love him. Look for Dennard to go off the board sometime in the late 1st to early 2nd round. The earliest he could go is Chicago at #19, but shouldn't last too long into the 2nd round. The Patriots could be his team.