2021 NFL Draft cornerback rankings: Patrick Surtain II leads strong group
By John Blair
4. Eric Stokes, Georgia
6-foot-1, 185 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: First round
Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes is a player who keeps improving each year. As a freshman, Stokes started three games for the Bulldogs and was also a key member of the team’s special team unit. In 2019 Stokes was named a second-team All-SEC pick after leading the team in pass breakups with nine. This past season he finished with four picks and was named an All-American. Stokes finished his college career with a great pro day where he ran a 4.29 40-yard dash.
As a prospect one of the pluses with Stokes is his length. Coming in at 6-foot-1 and with 32 ¾ inch arms, he has the size to play press coverage in the NFL. To go along with his size Stokes is also physical at the line of scrimmage. However, the top trait with this prospect is his speed evident by his 40-yard dash and overall quick play on the field.
While Stokes has held up well in press coverage in the NFL he will need to work on his footwork in the NFL, to play it at a similar level. His poor footwork tends to lead to him grabbing receivers at times which will surely get called in the NFL. While Stokes is physical in coverage he is not the most physical player when it comes to stopping the run, which could cause concerns for some teams.