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Draft preview series: Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick
March, 13, 2012
By Bryan Broaddus and Tim MacMahon

The second installment in our draft preview series looks at Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick.

Scouts Inc. ranks: No. 3 cornerback, No. 20 overall
Bio: Was a shutdown corner for the national champions, who led the nation in total defense, passing defense and scoring defense. Did not have an interception last season, but he broke up nine passes, had four tackles for losses and forced two fumbles. Was a finalist for the Thorpe Award. Had three interceptions as a sophomore, when he also had seven passes broken up, four tackles for losses, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Arrested Jan. 17 for marijuana possession, but the charge was dropped.

Dre Kirkpatrick was a shutdown cornerback for Alabama and plays a physical style.Size: 6-foot-1 1/2, 186 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.51
Vertical jump: 35 inches
Broad jump: 10-foot-0

Broaddus Breakdown (viewed Arkansas, Florida, LSU and Tennessee games): Of the cornerbacks that I have studied in this draft, he is by far the most physical. He is not afraid to throw his body around in support of the run or tackle when the receiver catches the ball. … Is one of those corners that can play either press man or in zone coverage. Is effective when he can get his hands on the receiver off the line because it allows him to get into position on the route. Can consistently re-route receivers, but the one time that he didn’t do it he was beaten badly off the line by Florida’s Andre DeBose, which resulted in a long touchdown. … Like him in zone coverage when he can play off and drive on the ball. Was impressed with how quickly he can read the route, see the ball and drive on it. When he drives on the ball, he doesn’t give the quarterback much of a window to allow the ball through. … Plays with really good balance and quickness. Has some stop-start quickness. … Type of corner that teams will try to use double moves against because of how aggressive he tends to play. … Does a nice job of using his long arms to defend passes. Shows the ability to track the ball and play it in the air. Florida tried to throw the fade on him without success, and Arkansas tried to work the ball up the sideline without success. … Mentioned that he is not afraid to throw his body around. Took a nice shot on Arkansas’ Joe Adams, who ran a crossing route with Kirkpatrick playing in zone. Kirkpatrick read the play, drove on the ball and laid a big hit on Adams to dislodge the ball. … If Kirkpatrick does have a technique flaw, it will be that he tends to drift in coverage, and this will happen to him in zone. By drifting, I mean he will float like he is not covering anyone in the scheme. … When he is focused, he can be outstanding because of his ability and his physical style. … Will usually line up at left corner but started the Florida game on the right side.
 
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