Baylor cornerback Kalon Barnes is lightning fast. Officially, with a 4.23 time, he is the second-fastest guy of all time to run the 40 at a Scouting Combine.
Here is a very thorough review of this speedster:
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NFL Draft
Kalon Barnes, Baylor CB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Written By
Ian Cummings
March 5, 2022
If you need speed, this guy's got it. Baylor CB Kalon Barnes is an absolute speed demon, and his NFL Draft scouting report is rising fast.
What's in this article?
It never hurts to have speed at the cornerback position. Speed helps players recover, and when they’re in phase, it allows them to stick to receivers and negate potential options downfield. Baylor CB Kalon Barnes has this ability, and that’s why his
NFL Draft scouting report demands attention. Just how exciting is his profile, and where does he project at the next level?
Kalon Barnes NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Cornerback
- School: Baylor
- Current Year: Senior
- Height: 5’11 1/4″
- Weight: 183 pounds
- Wingspan: 76 3/8″
- Length: 31 3/4″
- Hand: 9 5/8″
Kalon Barnes Scouting Report
“Speed. I am speed.” You think this is a quote from Disney Pixar’s film “Cars,” featuring anthropomorphic vehicles, Owen Wilson, and Larry the Cable Guy. But actually, it’s just Barnes talking to himself in the mirror each morning. When it’s all said and done, Barnes could be one of the fastest players in the entire 2022 NFL Draft. And that speed shows up early and often on tape.
Kalon Barnes’ athletic profile
Measuring in around 5’11”, 183 pounds at the East-West Shrine Game, Barnes is a twitchy mover who has great explosiveness out of his direction changes. He accelerates quickly with brisk, energetic strides. His high-end acceleration lends him plenty of appeal, but he also maxes out as one of the fastest players on the field.
Barnes has high-level closing speed when breaking back toward the ball. With his elite speed, he erases gaps in zone and takes receivers by surprise. The Baylor CB can blanket receivers and keep the lid closed in press bail coverage, and with his pure speed, can recover lost ground incredibly quickly when trailing receivers. Heading downfield, he easily sticks to receivers with his speed.
Beyond his speed and explosiveness, Barnes is fairly fluid turning his hips and accelerating upfield. He has the capacity to lower in his stance and sink his hips. Moreover, the Baylor CB has shown to stack quick direction changes and use his twitch to keep leverage.
Execution beyond the physical traits
The prime selling point with Barnes is his abnormal speed. There’s still some room for refinement, but his experience in Dave Aranda’s defense helped to strengthen his execution in some areas.
While Barnes’ press technique can be sloppy at times, he has shown to match receivers off the line with his base and actively adjusts his hip leverage. Barnes flashes patience at the line and can change his tempo based on receiver movements. He’s not over-zealous but remains reactive and disciplined more often than not. And if he makes mistakes, his sheer speed allows him insane recovery capacity.
In zone coverage, Barnes’ skill set has some appeal as well. The Baylor CB flashes the awareness to identify routes and manage space in zone. With his explosiveness, he can launch toward the ball and attack it in the air. Covering downfield, he’s fairly solid at getting his head back around and identifying the ball. Furthermore, Barnes — a former wide receiver — has displayed the ability to track the ball and coordinate his hands. He also has above-average length, which he uses to disrupt.
Among other things, Barnes’ speed gives him utility in run defense as well. He can force running backs out of bounds by sealing off the boundary.
Areas for improvement
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