New York Giants Draft Preview: CB Terrion Arnold

Let's learn more about one of, if not the top, cornerback prospects in this draft class.

Terrion Arnold, CB

Height: 5’ 11 ¾”
Weight: 189 lbs
Class: Junior
School: Alabama

Coming out of John Paul II Catholic high school in Tallahassee, Florida, Terrion Arnold was the 51st-ranked recruit in the country, 13th-ranked in Florida, and the 3rd-ranked safety in the 2021 class. The decision came down to Alabama or Florida but Alabama was the clear favorite by the time Signing Day came around in February.

Strengths

• Ball production is there - 26 INTs + PBUs through his two years as a starter

• Elite athleticism that plays far better than his testing was at the Combine

• Reactionary athleticism is second-to-none in this class - capable of moving in phase with any receiver

• Does a good job of getting his hands in to break up passes at the catchpoint

• Has elite recovery speed on the rare instances where he does lose or get undercut

• Jams receivers at the line with consistent footwork and violent hands

• Aggressive eyes in zone coverage, has improved learning where his markers are

• Quick trigger to come downhill against ball-carriers

• Capable of playing inside or out - can become a “shadow” type of DB

• Just turned 21 years old

• Can live in a receivers’ hip pocket

[View more draft prospect scouting profiles.]

Weaknesses

• Sometimes overconfident in his closing speed and ability to make a play on the ball but is slightly late

• Tackle technique needs a lot of work - is an ankle biter

• Doesn’t know how to play off coverage with any sort of consistency

• Sometimes gets a little too enthusiastic in press coverage and jams too early

• Carries zone too high sometimes, not sure if it’s about respecting vertical routes or just overcommitting up top

Summary

Arnold is my unquestioned CB1 in this class. With his ability to play man coverage consistently and improvement in zone, he can become an elite NFL cornerback - especially considering he made the move to cornerback at Alabama.

If Arnold is going to be a Giant, it would require taking him sixth overall or a slight trade back and I wouldn’t be opposed to either. A ball-hawking elite athlete with mirror skills that can play inside-out.

GRADE: 7.12

Nick Falato's Draft Grade Chart

Nick Falato

• Follow and like us on Facebook.
• Submit your questions for our mailbag.
• Follow Patricia Traina on Instagram.
• Check out the Giants Country YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe and like the LockedOn Giants YouTube Channel