Mike Mickens v. Asher Allen - YOU DECIDE 2009

Staying on the DB theme, finding Jackson's replacement, as opposed to Bethea's is another possibility.  Finding a CB who can be more of a cover corner and yet still bring the big-hit ability and production defending against the run would be nice.  Mike Mickens and Asher Allen are two players who might interest the Colts as suitable replacements for Jackson and future starters on the outside.  Additionally, Allen brings punt return abilities which is an area I am sure the team may be looking to improve.  If both players are available in the 3rd Round of the draft, which would you select?

Mike Mickens - Cincinnati

Photo
2008 Highlights
Draft Vignette
Draft Prospect

6'0", 186 lbs.
4.53 40 Yard Dash, 4.17 20 Yard Shuttle, 6.94 3-Cone Drill
35.5 Inch Vertical Jump

SENIOR SEASON STATS:
70 Tackles, 24 Assists, 2 TFL, 4 INTs, 10 PBUs, 14 PDs

INJURIES:
2008: Suffered left knee cartilage damage and a torn meniscus vs. Louisville in November, missing the team's final three regular season games.
2009: Pulled out of the Senior Bowl after his left knee experienced inflammation during practices, and was unable to work out at the Combine.

ANALYSIS:

NFLDraftScout.com, TFYDraft.com

Strengths: 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.  Cognizant defender.  Experienced in man and zone coverage with the combination of athleticism and instincts to play in either scheme at the next level.  Has a second gear to close and uses his long arms well to deflect passes.  Physical enough to make a big hit after his man makes the catch.  Improved hands for the interception in 2007 and has 14 picks and 44 pass breakups over his career.  Natural with the ball in his hands, returning two of his six interceptions for touchdowns last season.  Quick to come up in run support, even when pressing in man coverage, and flashes physicality that belies his frame.  Coachable.  Very confident in his ability.  Plays with attitude, will not back down from any receiver.  Leads by example on the field.

Nice-sized cover man who has shown flashes of dominance the past four years. Feisty, fights hard to defend the throw, and he improved the physical nature of his game last year. Quick pedaling in reverse, fluid turning his hips, and loses nothing in transition. Effectively reads receivers' eyes and gets his head back around to locate the pass. Displays a good sense of timing, anticipation, and overall awareness. Shows a burst of speed to the action.

Mike Mickens could bring a new dynamic to the Colts secondary.  Typically the Colts select CBs who have speed and can hit hard but who do not excel in man coverage.  Until they drafted Kelvin Hayden they focused more on CBs who could stop the run.  Mickens can "do it all" on defense from the CB position.  He aggressively defends the run but has the cover abilities and ball skills to knock down passes and generate turnovers.  Instead of relying on big hits in the secondary to create turnovers, with a player like Mickens the Colts could have greater confidence in man-coverage than in years past and his experience in both man and zone coverage makes him an attractive prospect.  Additionally his height is rare for the Colts secondary and would be a welcome change for many fans.

Weaknesses: 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.  A bit tall and stiff in his backpedal, which can make it hard for him to recover when the receiver runs a quick out.  While physical, Mickens has a tendency to lead with his shoulder when making a big hit, instead of wrapping up securely.  Left knee injury that cost him three games in 2008 and sidelined him for the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine is a significant concern.

Seemed to play back on his heels at times last season. Struggles staying with receivers out of their breaks, and displays just an average break to the throw out of his plant. Blows assignments or loses his man on occasion. Not a sure-handed tackler, and gathers into ball carriers.

Mickens' untimely knee injury has dropped him from 1st or 2nd Round consideration into the 3rd Round range.  If he is given time to recover and develop this year, he could be ready next year to take over for Jackson or Bethea should either player leave via free agency.  That Mickens excels in zone coverage with a dominant pass-rush makes him "Colts" material even more.  With some work on his tackling, a main emphasis for Colts prospects in camp, he could develop into a solid starter on the outside.

ANOTHER SCOUTING REPORT - MockingtheDraft.com
AND ANOTHER - FFToolbox.com

Asher Allen - Georgia

Photo
Draft Vignette
Combine Video

5'10", 194 lbs.
4.48 40 Yard Dash, 4.30 20 Yard Dash, 6.93 3-Cone Drill
35 Inch Vertical Jump, 22 Bench Reps

SENIOR SEASON STATS:
53 Tackles, 9 Assists, 4.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 7 PBU, 2 QBH, 1 FR
5 Punt Returns, 91 Yards (18.2 Yds./Avg)

INJURIES:
2006: Handled punt return chores for the first three games, until he suffered a big toe sprain against Alabama-Birmingham in September.
2008: Suffered a right hand fracture when his hand hit an opponent's helmet during the second series of the Louisiana State game in October and wore a cast to protect the injury during the team's final five contests.

ANALYSIS:

NFLDraftScout.com, TFYDraft.com

Strengths: Shorter than scouts would prefer, but has a good build. Good straight-line speed. Legitimate cover skills. Loose hips to turn and run with receivers. Accelerates smoothly. Cuts smoothly and generates burst to close quickly out of his cuts. Should be able to handle the nickel role early due to his agility. Secure open-field tackler who flashes some pop, considering his size. Natural kickoff returner. Sees the field well and can accelerate through the pack. Mentally tough. Responded to the challenge of playing on an island as a sophomore in the SEC and looked like he belonged immediately. Isn't a finished product.

Nice-sized cornerback who flashes ability. Quick flipping his hips off the line to run with opponents, has a nice move to the ball, and displays the terrific burst of closing speed. Shows a good head for the ball in run defense, and immediately comes up the field to make the tackle. Works hard to get off blocks. Plays with a good degree of suddenness.

Although Asher Allen spent his time in a cover-corner role for Georgia, his abilities defending the run show that he could develop in a zone scheme as well.  He is a dynamic kick returner and may be able to compete for a roster spot in that capacity as a rookie.  Additionally, Allen could compete to be the nickel in his rookie season.  Allen does not have the ball skills that Mickens possesses but does hit hard and can separate the receiver from the ball.  With a smaller stature he could be more in the "Colts mold" for CBs and with the added value as a returner he might grab more attention that Mickens.

Weaknesses: Lacks prototype height to play on the outside. Aggressive and will bite on the double-move. Lacks the elite recovery speed if beaten initially. Responds to the challenge of bigger receivers, but loses out too often on jump-balls. Has obvious athletic ability, but hasn't yet "arrived." Allows too many passes into his chest and will drop easy interceptions. Broken hand requires a Combine check.

Gives up a lot of underneath receptions and shows poor skill in zone coverage. Not a sure-handed tackler.

Allen will also need to develop in certain aspects of his game and will forever be limited to some degree because of his height.  He can be physical with taller receivers and make them work for it but will rarely be able to out-leap the taller receivers when opposing QBs throw it up and allow them to make a play on the ball.  This is a concern considering that is what so many teams are trying to do with their passing game.  Still, as a potential nickel and returner, Allen might have good value for the Colts in the 3rd Round.

ANOTHER SCOUTING REPORT - MockingtheDraft.com
AND ANOTHER - FFToolbox.com

COMPARISON:

It seems to me that Mike Mickens has more physical and athletic gifts to be effective as a CB in the NFL.  He has ball skills, the ability to effectively plan man-coverage and excels in a zone scheme.  Both Mickens and Allen excel as run defenders but only Mickens brings a kick returning attribute to his game.  If the Colts are planning on drafting a CB who can replace Jackson if he leaves after the '09 season, I think Mickens brings a more dynamic defensive skillset to the team.  If the Colts are looking only for CB depth and for the greatest value overall from a single pick, Allen's kick returning abilities could push him over the top.  Which player should the Colts draft in the 3rd Round?

YOU DECIDE