Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Poor long speed - showcased by a very average 4.61 forty - any slower and teams may consider him as a safety conversion prospect
• Exhibits hesitation in initial movements, leading to recovery steps when addressing quick offensive plays, which can hinder his response time.
• Tends to get visually trapped by backfield action, making him vulnerable to opponents with swift directional shifts and deceptive routes.
• Lacks ideal length and frame density, which can diminish his effective range and impact when contesting passes against taller receivers.
• Displays a slight delay in reacting to snap releases, occasionally causing him to trail at the line and lose early engagement.
• Reliance on two-hand jams in press coverage sometimes results in penalties, with a need to refine technique to avoid holding calls.
• Encountered a notable setback against Ohio State, where Marvin Harrison 's advanced route running exposed some of King's limitations in coverage.

Scouting Report: Summary

Kalen King emerges as a savvy, scheme-diverse corner with the football IQ and competitive edge projected to make an immediate impact in the league. His diagnostic skills in coverage and a receiver's mindset when attacking the ball present him as a valuable asset in any defensive backfield. Despite a dip in stock due to a challenging outing against Ohio State's elite receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., King's overall body of work maintains his projection as a Day 1 selection.

King isn't your prototypical boundary enforcer with imposing measurables, yet he compensates with cerebral play, foot quickness, and a scrappy demeanor. His tape against top-tier competition has exposed some raw edges, notably in transitions and long-speed matchups, but it's his consistent playmaking that keeps him in the first-round mix. King's competitive toughness and ball production remain his calling cards, overshadowing occasional lapses against elite route runners.

In the trenches, King showcases hip fluidity and click-and-close burst that make him a nuisance in man coverage. He's got the mirror ability off the line and a disruptive press technique that can stymie wideouts' release plans. While his vertical phase can be tested by speedsters, his short-area quicks and field savvy often compensate, allowing him to stay in phase and contest the catch.

Finalizing King's evaluation, it's clear he doesn't possess the freakish athletic traits of some CB prototypes and has only average speed, but his plug-and-play nature, competitive toughness, and consistent film against a variety of receivers keep him in high regard. King's well-rounded skill set, underscored by his willingness to insert against the run and combativeness in coverage, make him a high-floor prospect. He's a technician with a nose for the football, and despite needing to refine some elements of his game, he's a secure investment for teams looking to bolster their secondary early in the draft.

Update - 03/13/2024

Kalen King of Penn State, at 191 pounds, faced some challenges at the Combine. Notably, his 40-yard dash time of 4.61 seconds was seen as a significant setback, falling short of expectations for his size. Additionally, King's arm length, at just 31 inches, was shorter than anticipated, raising concerns about his reach. Despite these issues, King delivered solid numbers in the vertical and broad jumps, posting a 37-inch vertical and a 10-foot-2 broad jump.