2020 NFL Draft: Why C.J. Henderson should be first cornerback drafted
By John Newman
Film Observations
C.J. Henderson has the most exciting film I have seen from the cornerbacks available in the 2020 NFL Draft. His height at 6-foot-1 makes him stand out, but even more so than that is his unique posture.
Watching his film, it’s hard not to laugh. Not because his skills are comedic, but because of the way he manhandles receivers and targets them. It is really hard not to laugh a little. Henderson has an air about him that you don’t often see, but when you do, you take notice. It is the look of a player who is at a totally different level than those around him. Like a bear fighting a squirrel. Or like Jalen Ramsey playing against a High School team.
More technically speaking, Henderson has a wide range of abilities useful for an NFL cornerback. He can play in press, or a few yards back with proficiency. Henderson is not easily baited with pre-snap movements or double moves while in motion.
He has the instincts to jump a route when he needs to, the physicality to knock receivers down when they’ve caught the ball and the ability to target the arms of receivers while running beside them. He can catch up with runners and drag them down when the run gets away from the front seven. He is fast, physical and most importantly, fearless.
There is a section of the video above you have to see. Around the 57 second mark, he makes a falling interception while running with his receiver in coverage. The way he lets his legs fall sideways and extends his arms for the catch is incredible.
More from NFL Draft
- NFL Draft: Ranking the top signal callers of the 2024 NFL QB Class
- Packers’ Lukas Van Ness will make a Lambeau leap into the NFL in 2023
- 2024 NFL Draft: Hunter Haas’ Top 50 Big Board
- NFL preseason Week 3: Notre Dame’s Mayer, Foskey with something to prove
- NFL Draft Notebook: Bo Nix is the third-best quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft
It looks like something soccer goalies do when they are defending a shot on the goal. If he mistakes the ball being two feet lower than it is, the receiver catches it, and he looks like a dope; the receiver walks in for a touchdown and his failure is cemented in HD. Film for general managers and scouts to shake their heads at pensively.
Instead, he makes the interception and looks like an elite cornerback. I cannot express enough of how impressive that is. The instincts it takes to make the decision to drop in a split second shows he is dedicated to mastering the skills of a cornerback.
At the 17-second mark of the film, we see Henderson’s bravado in full display. He defends the pass and stands over the receiver with his arms crossed. His celebrations may rub some fans the wrong way, but he backs up his ego with exceptional play. In the 2020 NFL draft, cornerbacks will have to find a way to stand out from the crowd of exceptionally talented players.
Henderson has shown he has what it takes to make it in the league. In the NFL Draft, nothing is certain. Sure things can fizzle out, just as unknowns can help a team reach the Superbowl.
Next. 2020 draft sleepers who are overshadowed by star teammates. dark
Henderson though has shown that he is just as skilled as any cornerback available in the 2020 NFL Draft. His stats speak for themselves. His accolades, and performance shows he has what it takes. There is no reason that Henderson shouldn’t be the first cornerback selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. He is talented, physical, self-confident and has what I think every fan base wants in a player. C.J. Henderson is fun to watch play cornerback.