As we’ve already talked about, there are a high number of quality cornerbacks in the 2017 draft class that could be headed to a first-round selection. While many of them have shuffled throughout the college football season in terms of their rankings as a prospect, Desmond King out of Iowa has pretty consistently in the late-teens to early 20s in terms of his projections. That consistency, though it means he’s been passed by and has passed other corner prospects, is a big reason to be high on King.
To go ahead and get a knock on King out of the way before anyone starts thinking about it, he’s not as big as many of the other players at the position coming out in 2017 at just 5-10. For his height, though, he still possesses solid length and range. And what he lacks in those areas, he can more than make up for in regards to his athleticism and speed when he’s in coverage.
The Iowa product has been a reliable presence for a team that hasn’t been wholly reliable on this college football season. When they need a big defensive play, he’s in the mix trying to make it happen. He’s the type of playmaker at corner that the New Orleans Saints are desperately missing. Admittedly, the Saints are desperately missing a lot of things on defense. However, adding quality defensive backs is a huge step in the right direction for them. King can slot in almost right away and make an impact, which is what New Orleans needs.
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