CB, Mike Mickens, Cincinnati

CB, Mike Mickens, Cincinnati

Pros:   Legitimate cover corner. ... Possesses the quick feet and smooth hip turn to change direction and blanket his assignment. ... Often forces the quarterback to go to his second option. ... Reads the action quickly and gets an excellent break on the ball.

Cons:  Feasts on hastily thrown passes in zone coverage behind a dominant pass rush. ... Must improve his ability to beat running back blocks when on the blitz.

Styg's Broncos Fit:   Has the quick feet and great hips to effectively mirror and play terrific man coverage, one of the few in the draft.  Very good hands, and has a receiver's instincts for running when he has the ball in his hands.  Has extensive experience in zone, where he played ball-hawk behind a great pass rush.  Marginal upper-body power, but good explosiveness from the lower body.  Has good tackling form and is willing to come up in run support and to lead vocally.  A confident player who was a favorite of his coaches for his ethic and ability to learn.

Around MHR:

Around SBNation:

From Scouting Report at Mocking the Draft:

Mickens is a tall, rangy cornerback with solid athleticism. Can cover tall receivers and quick smaller receivers. Very smart player who has started since his freshman season. Good instincts. Reads routes very well, which helps him get a good break on the ball. Played in both zone and man coverage at Cincinnati. Good hands. Finished his career with 14 interceptions. Fluid hips that allow him to flip his backpedal and run with receivers.

Highlights:

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• Mike Mickens was a four year starter for the Cincinnati program and made the most of his time, finishing with 14 career picks. He is a natural playmaker, who may be a bit overhyped, since his long speed and overly aggressive nature may limit his ability to develop into an NFL starter. Mickens may be best in a Zone or Cover 2 scheme, where his ball skills and aggressiveness will be of great use. His collegiate production is hard to ignore and he could be a player that stands out in the right scheme, if the defense can handle him getting beat occasionally.  [see more...]
• Right now Mickens is among the best corners in the nation when projecting to the NFL. If he continues putting up numbers in 2008 like he did throughout the rest of his career, there is no reason for him not to be a first or second round selection in April. With a big year from Mickens and Cincinnati (and a solid showing at the combine), he could end up being one of the top two or three senior corners in the draft.  [see more...]
• Was a four year starter...Named 2nd Team All-Big East three times ('05, '06 & '08) and 1st Team once ('07)...The Bearcats career leader in interceptions...Missed three games with torn cartilage in his left knee as a senior but was able to return in time for their bowl game...Has been one of the nation's elite cover guys the past four years...A true playmaker in the secondary who can make quarterbacks pay for their mistakes...Might be a bit overhyped but still a fine player.   [see more...]