Player Spotlight; Antoine Cason

Player Spotlight; Antoine Cason

He may be the consensus #2 defensive tackle on the board behind Glenn Dorsey but Sedrick Ellis is a legitimate top ten overall prospect who has taken a few risks and watched them all pan out with the USC Trojans. Ellis came into the Senior Bowl as the prospect many said was the best in attendance, he had little to gain and more to lose. Ellis left Mobile with his stock higher than it ever had been and he was named the Defensive MVP for his team.

*Antoine Cason, Cornerback, Arizona*
Senior, 6-0, 190

*Strengths:* Instincts
*Weaknesses:* Straight-line speed

*Statline:* 253 tackles with 15 interceptions and 32 passes defensed in four seasons at Arizona. Scored 4 touchdowns as a senior for the Wildcats.

*Technique:* One of the best pure cover corners in this draft class, will jam receivers at the line and plays a physical brand of football. Has a nice burst and break on the ball, open field speed on longer patterns is more of a concern.

*Known Injuries:*  Has suffered some hamstring problems on various occasions but no major injuries.

*Combine / Workout Assessment:* Coming Soon.

*DJ Boyer's Analysis:* I always seem to have been higher on Cason than many other draft experts. I believe Cason is the best corner available in this draft and I think he would have been last season had he made himself eligible for the 2007 Draft. What will keep Cason lower on some boards is he lacks the elite speed for a cornerback at the next level, he has everything else needed and is the most polished product on the field. Would benefit from adding 10-15 pounds to his frame as he is a bit lanky but he can play a very physical style of football and jam receivers at the line of scrimmage. Very quick to react in the short field and just seems to have impeccable instincts, something that cannot be taught. Work as a punt returner will help his value as well, again while not being a speed demon he is very decisive and elusive in the open field. His play against Oregon this season where Arizona defeated the then #2 ranked Oregon Ducks was one of the best individual performances of the college football season as he almost single-handedly beat Oregon himself. Cason intercepted two passes and returned one for a 42-yard touchdown. Cason for good measure added a 56-yard punt return TD where he was untouched and all told he had 4 touchdowns as a senior. Cason has a knack for making big plays against top flight teams and has a healthy amount of confidence in his game. Should be taken in the later stages of the first round but the kacl of top flight speed could push him into the early stages of round 2.

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