Vikings select CB Mekhi Blackmon #3-102
May 17, 2023 11:12:53 GMT -6
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Post by Purple Pain on May 17, 2023 11:12:53 GMT -6
Matt Fries: Can Brian Flores Mold Mekhi Blackmon Into A Star?
Film study and analysis of the following at the link:
PRESS TECHNIQUE
MAN COVERAGE
ZONE COVERAGE
BALL SKILLS
PHYSICALITY
RUN DEFENSE/TACKLING
A Closer Look at Mekhi Blackmon's Compete Level and Ball Skills | Film Room
Former Minnesota Vikings player and coach Pete Bercich heads back into the film room to look at the college tape of cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, the team's 2023 third round draft pick out of USC.
The Minnesota Vikings took USC cornerback Mekhi Blackmon with the last pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, No. 102 overall. Corner was a huge need for the team going into the draft due to the turnover the Vikings experienced at the position this offseason. After Byron Murphy, who the team invested meaningfully in during free agency, 2022 draft picks Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans have little NFL experience.
Blackmon brings significant college playing experience to the team. Starting out in JUCO at San Mateo, Blackmon made the leap to the Power 5 at Colorado where he played for four years before transferring to USC in 2022. He was a full-time starter at USC and the team’s top corner, playing over 900 snaps. Blackmon recording three interceptions, 12 pass deflections, and 66 tackles.
PFF loved Blackmon’s final season, giving him a 90.6-overall grade, fourth among FBS CBs. They also gave him a 91.1 coverage grade, which was ranked third. However you break it down, Blackmon ranked highly. Out of over 500 qualifying players, he had an seventh-ranked 87.3 grade on man coverage plays and a 10th-ranked 85.1 grade on zone coverage plays. Per PFF’s charting, Blackmon played 534 snaps in coverage, and allowed 30 catches on 63 targets for 286 yards and one TD. He also intercepted three passes and broke up eight passes, allowing an opposing passer rating of only 46.1 when targeted. Blackmon contributed in the run game, with 21 total run and pass stops and just two missed tackles on 42 tackle attempts.
Blackmon’s strong performance in his senior season led to a Combine invite, where he tested as an above average athlete:
Like first-round pick Jordan Addison, rain affected Blackmon’s Pro Day at USC, so we do not have agility testing from him. Blackmon’s jumps and 40-yard dash times are very good, but his lack of weight brings down his composite RAS score. The Vikings consistently added players who were traditionally underweight in this draft, so they may view player size differently than other teams. Even considering his low weight, Blackmon is clearly a good enough athlete for the NFL level. A 4.47-second 40-yard dash will give him enough recovery speed to keep with most WRs, and his 10-yard split is elite to close in a short area.
With that context in mind, I took to the tape to scout Blackmon. I had three games available to me, all from 2022: at Stanford, at UCLA, and the Bowl Game against Tulane. The primary questions I had going in to watching were: what position does Blackmon fit in the Vikings’ CB room, and is he ready to play right away?
Blackmon brings significant college playing experience to the team. Starting out in JUCO at San Mateo, Blackmon made the leap to the Power 5 at Colorado where he played for four years before transferring to USC in 2022. He was a full-time starter at USC and the team’s top corner, playing over 900 snaps. Blackmon recording three interceptions, 12 pass deflections, and 66 tackles.
PFF loved Blackmon’s final season, giving him a 90.6-overall grade, fourth among FBS CBs. They also gave him a 91.1 coverage grade, which was ranked third. However you break it down, Blackmon ranked highly. Out of over 500 qualifying players, he had an seventh-ranked 87.3 grade on man coverage plays and a 10th-ranked 85.1 grade on zone coverage plays. Per PFF’s charting, Blackmon played 534 snaps in coverage, and allowed 30 catches on 63 targets for 286 yards and one TD. He also intercepted three passes and broke up eight passes, allowing an opposing passer rating of only 46.1 when targeted. Blackmon contributed in the run game, with 21 total run and pass stops and just two missed tackles on 42 tackle attempts.
Blackmon’s strong performance in his senior season led to a Combine invite, where he tested as an above average athlete:
Like first-round pick Jordan Addison, rain affected Blackmon’s Pro Day at USC, so we do not have agility testing from him. Blackmon’s jumps and 40-yard dash times are very good, but his lack of weight brings down his composite RAS score. The Vikings consistently added players who were traditionally underweight in this draft, so they may view player size differently than other teams. Even considering his low weight, Blackmon is clearly a good enough athlete for the NFL level. A 4.47-second 40-yard dash will give him enough recovery speed to keep with most WRs, and his 10-yard split is elite to close in a short area.
With that context in mind, I took to the tape to scout Blackmon. I had three games available to me, all from 2022: at Stanford, at UCLA, and the Bowl Game against Tulane. The primary questions I had going in to watching were: what position does Blackmon fit in the Vikings’ CB room, and is he ready to play right away?
Film study and analysis of the following at the link:
PRESS TECHNIQUE
MAN COVERAGE
ZONE COVERAGE
BALL SKILLS
PHYSICALITY
RUN DEFENSE/TACKLING
SUMMARY
Blackmon is a quick cornerback who has the movement skills to track receivers through multiple breaks. He has adequate speed for the position, and he can press receivers effectively at the line of scrimmage. Blackmon suffers lapses in technique in press that can leave him out of position, and he will also grab on to opponents unnecessarily. Blackmon is physical throughout the route and at the catch point, with good ball skills to knock down and intercept the football.
In zone coverage, Blackmon has a feel for the players around him and will position himself well. He has NFL-level click-and-close ability. In the run game, Blackmon can get overpowered by larger blockers. He shows a willingness to stick his nose in against runs, but doesn’t always read the play correctly. As a tackler, Blackmon gets the job done, with few missed tackles in his career.
FIT WITH THE VIKINGS
Blackmon’s best fit with the Vikings may be as a slot corner. Even though he played primarily outside at USC, he has the quickness and movement skills to play in the slot. With Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans as longer corners, both will be best on the outside. Byron Murphy can play both slot and outside, but the team may want to have him shadow the opponent’s best receiver, which would mean frequent outside assignments. Therefore, the slot is the path of least resistance for Blackmon.
Blackmon is sticky enough to play right away, but he must clean up multiple components of his game if he wants to play early. He needs to increase his patience at the line of scrimmage in press, and not declare to early, allowing opponents to get him turned around. He must also learn to play without his hands consistently grabbing opponents’ jerseys. His play in college would lead to a large number of holding calls in the NFL.
Ideally, Blackmon will put on muscle in an NFL weight room. At 24, Blackmon is an older prospect and may struggle to do so. His frame (5’11” tall, 31″ arms) will limit his ability to contest passes to taller receivers in the league. The Vikings are hoping that Blackmon can perform like Jack Jones, another older prospect with a similar frame, who was a fourth-round pick and strong contributor to the New England Patriots’ excellent defense in 2022.
Blackmon is a quick cornerback who has the movement skills to track receivers through multiple breaks. He has adequate speed for the position, and he can press receivers effectively at the line of scrimmage. Blackmon suffers lapses in technique in press that can leave him out of position, and he will also grab on to opponents unnecessarily. Blackmon is physical throughout the route and at the catch point, with good ball skills to knock down and intercept the football.
In zone coverage, Blackmon has a feel for the players around him and will position himself well. He has NFL-level click-and-close ability. In the run game, Blackmon can get overpowered by larger blockers. He shows a willingness to stick his nose in against runs, but doesn’t always read the play correctly. As a tackler, Blackmon gets the job done, with few missed tackles in his career.
FIT WITH THE VIKINGS
Blackmon’s best fit with the Vikings may be as a slot corner. Even though he played primarily outside at USC, he has the quickness and movement skills to play in the slot. With Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans as longer corners, both will be best on the outside. Byron Murphy can play both slot and outside, but the team may want to have him shadow the opponent’s best receiver, which would mean frequent outside assignments. Therefore, the slot is the path of least resistance for Blackmon.
Blackmon is sticky enough to play right away, but he must clean up multiple components of his game if he wants to play early. He needs to increase his patience at the line of scrimmage in press, and not declare to early, allowing opponents to get him turned around. He must also learn to play without his hands consistently grabbing opponents’ jerseys. His play in college would lead to a large number of holding calls in the NFL.
Ideally, Blackmon will put on muscle in an NFL weight room. At 24, Blackmon is an older prospect and may struggle to do so. His frame (5’11” tall, 31″ arms) will limit his ability to contest passes to taller receivers in the league. The Vikings are hoping that Blackmon can perform like Jack Jones, another older prospect with a similar frame, who was a fourth-round pick and strong contributor to the New England Patriots’ excellent defense in 2022.
Former Minnesota Vikings player and coach Pete Bercich heads back into the film room to look at the college tape of cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, the team's 2023 third round draft pick out of USC.
... and neither is this Chris guy.