CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES
RANKING THE VIKINGS NEEDS
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN’S DRAFT TRADES
VIKINGS TARGETS
LUKE INMAN’S MOCK DRAFTS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL
FEATURES FROM OUR STAFF
C.J. HENDERSON
HEIGHT/WEIGHT/AGE
6-foot-1
200 pounds
21 years old
BIG PICTURE
A big, explosive corner, Henderson could’ve played at most schools in the SEC as a four-star recruit from the Miami area. His career at Florida was a bit up and down. Year 1 he showed he could make plays on the ball with four interceptions. Year 2 he was airtight in coverage. Year 3 he dealt with injuries and regressed in coverage while not intercepting any passes. Henderson doesn’t enter the draft having left the best impression as a junior, but his first two seasons were much better. He’s also got the speed/size combo that will make organizations drool.
COMBINE NOTABLES
4.39 40-yard dash (T-2nd)
20 bench reps
37.5-inch vertical
125-inch broad jump
VIKINGS’ COMPATIBILITY RANKING
5 out of 5. Considering the Vikings’ proclivity to take corners in the first round, not to mention their drastic need to replace their outside corners, it’s feasible Henderson is a Minnesota target. There are enough question marks with Henderson’s college resume to think that he could drop closer to the Vikings’ selections, but he has the tools to be the Vikings’ next “power forward” at corner.
HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT DRAFT EXPERTS SAY
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: “Silky smooth boundary cornerback with mirror-and-match footwork and the agility and athleticism to stay connected to routes. He has NFL recovery burst and the long speed to track vertical routes downfield. He has the twitchy acceleration to jump a throw and take it away if the quarterback lingers on the target, and he’s quick to wrap and finish after the catch. He makes mental mistakes from time to time and occasionally loses awareness from zone. He’s willing and capable in run support but needs better control as an open-field tackler. Henderson is a fluid cornerback with ball skills and burst and has CB1 ability as a first-rounder.”
Jordan Reid, Draft Network: “A starter of 27 games during his career with the Gators, Henderson is a highly talented cover corner. His wiry body and advanced technique help him become one of the better man cover corners in this draft class. For as many positives that he has, there are lots of mental lapses in his overall game and as a run defender. Henderson’s length, eye discipline, and savvy with playing the ball are among the tops in this class, but he must continue to add muscle mass and show a hint of interest as a run support player. Because of what he brings to the table from a coverage standpoint, he still has the makings of being a top-20 selection, but he won’t be for every team due to his negatives as a run defender.”
WHAT PFF SAYS
Coverage grade dropped from 81.7 as sophomore to 58.9 as junior
22.5% missed-tackle percentage (well below average)
49.4 passer rating allowed as sophomore; 109.0 as junior
CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES
RANKING THE VIKINGS NEEDS
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN’S DRAFT TRADES
VIKINGS TARGETS
LUKE INMAN’S MOCK DRAFTS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL
FEATURES FROM OUR STAFF
