Robert Rochell 2021 NFL Draft Profile

No one takes more advantage of even the smallest of opportunities than University of Central Arkansas’ Robert Rochell. The young defense back has taken every challenge life has thrown at him and turned them into the driving force behind his play on the field. However, before he was making plays and swarming around the field for the Bears sporting the purple and grey, Rochell was a star at Fair Park High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. During his time on the field at Fair Park High School, Rochell played upwards of seven different positions on the defensive side of the ball, showcasing his versatility. However, despite a successful high school football career, Rochell earned zero FBS offers coming out of high school.

With that being said, Rochell opted to attend the University of Central Arkansas, looking to prove to all the top-level college football programs why they made a mistake in not offering him. During his time at Central Arkansas, Rochell blossomed into a ball-hawking defensive back who shined in nearly every game of his college career. Going into the 2021 season, Rochell was viewed as a potential steal in the upcoming draft, but COVID-19 had other plans. Thankfully, Central Arkansas was able to piece together a small schedule, giving Rochell another chance to showcase his skills. At the conclusion of the season, Rochell was invited to the Senior Bowl, where he participated in game-simulating drills and intense workouts in front of NFL personnel.

Strengths

Impressive ball skills;

Nice size for a corner, which should translate well going into the NFL;

Does a nice job of engaging opposing wide receivers at the snap;

Impressive closing speed;

Presents exceptional defensive instincts and awareness;

Can be very physical at times in pass coverage, making it difficult for opposing pass-catchers.

Weaknesses

Struggles with flipping his hips;

Struggles in run defense;

Technique and fundamentals could use some work;

Should look to improve his open-field tackling ability at the next level;

Struggles at times with off-man coverage;

Must begin using his hands to fight off blocks.

Player Comparison: Donte Jackson

Draft Projection: Late Third – Early Fourth Round

Bottom Line on Robert Rochell

When looking at Robert Rochell, he checks nearly every box NFL scouts could hope for in a defensive back prospect. His elite athleticism paired with his impressive ball skills makes him one potential steal in this year’s upcoming draft. Rochell offers you plenty to like at the cornerback position, but he can also make his mark on special teams. His quick rise to being considered one of the best gunners in college football makes him one of the most intriguing prospects for teams looking to fill their fourth-cornerback spot. If placed into the right situation, Rochell has the potential to become a serviceable option at cornerback for an NFL organization.

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