For Surtain: Alabama CB could be a steal at No. 12
Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain enters the NFL Draft with just about every tool already in his box.
Size (6-2, 205)? Check.
Speed (4.42 seconds in 40-yard dash)? Check.
Ball skills (1 interception, 9 passes broken up in 2020)? Check.
Tackling skills? Check.
Bloodlines? Check. His dad played 11 years in the NFL at the same position, intercepted 37 passes and made the Pro Bowl three times.
His fit with the Philadelphia Eagles as the No. 12 overall pick? Let’s look a little deeper before checking that box.
Surtain played three seasons at Alabama, a dominant and storied program that incredibly hasn’t had a player drafted by the Eagles since Howie Roseman was first named general manager in 2010 — unless you count quarterback Jalen Hurts, who started his college career with the Crimson Tide but completed it at Oklahoma.
By the end of Surtain’s career, he had compiled four interceptions, 116 tackles (including six for losses), 24 pass breakups and four forced fumbles.
In his final season, Surtain was targeted 48 times, allowing only 21 completions for 273 yards, according to 247 Sports.
In Walter Football’s scouting report, Surtain is described as a player with good feel, instincts and advanced technique.
“He plays the ball really well, showing impressive ball skills for a big corner,” Charlie Campbell writes in the report. “When Surtain is in close coverage, it can be a dangerous proposition to throw his direction, as he is very capable of getting his hands on the ball to snatch it away or deflect it away from the receiver.
“The big question with all large cornerbacks is how well they run, and Surtain has the speed necessary to play in the NFL. He is fast in a straight line yet is able to turn and run with receivers. While Surtain is not a blazer, he has enough quickness to run down the sideline and keep receivers from burning him over the top. He won’t be one of the fastest corners in the NFL, but his speed won’t make him a liability.
“There are some limitations for Surtain in the NFL, and his pro defensive coordinator would be wise to not match him up against smaller speed receivers. Surtain is not a twitchy corner and has some change-of-direction problems. Thus, he is better suited to line up on the outside against big receivers and not a fit to move inside to the slot.”
The report concludes that Surtain would be best suited to play press-man coverage, which may not be what new Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon wants from his cornerbacks.
Nevertheless, Surtain’s ability to prepare and will to win should make him an asset in any system, according to Alabama coach Nick Saban.
“Pat’s got great physical ability, he’s got great length,” Saban said. “But he’s smart and very, very instinctive. So he always plays faster in the game. Because he is smart, he does a great job of preparing.”
Then there’s this from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, a former Eagles scout, immediately following Surtain’s Pro Day workout: “He’s in the mix to be the first corner off the board, and I thought today was a really solid workout for him. The numbers were great, and I thought the field workout — he moved around and was really fluid for a big guy, which is not easy to do.”
If Surtain is the first off the board, the Eagles likely won’t have a chance to draft him. But if he’s still there at No. 12, they should consider taking him because of all he brings to the table and because of how much they are in need of another starter on the outside, opposite Darius Slay.