How High Can CB Franks Climb?

[hawkeye]

Although many fans and media types alike vehemently disagreed and criticized some picks that Thomas Dimitroff chose on draft weekend, it was almost a consensus lock of being an excellent draft choice of Oklahoma Cornerback Dominique Franks in the 5th Round. Almost everyone knew that the Falcons would go cornerback at some point during the draft to continue and build a deep, tough, and athletic secondary, but didn’t know exactly when that TD would pull the trigger. The signing of veteran CB Dunta Robinson in free agency made it a much lower priority than first round, as originally thought. It was also widely believed that the Falcons would target a cornerback who could assist them in the return game as well since Eric Weems was decent, although not great, and Harry Douglas return days are probably over. After being projected to go in the second or third round, looks like Dimitroff may have hit a homerun grabbing Franks in the fifth round.

A Playmaking Cornerback

Franks entered the NFL Draft as a junior after having a very successful career at Oklahoma. After redshirting and seeing limited time in his first full year, Franks racked up 96 tackles, 15 pass breakups, and 6 interceptions in two years. The Oklahoma cornerback was named 2nd Team All-Big 12 his sophomore year and 1st Ream All-Big 12 his junior year. Declaring for the draft, Franks was characterized as a very athletic cornerback with good size (5’11, 195) and superb skills when he gets his hands on the ball. He also had traits of being a hard-worker, a very good tackler, confident, and “a ballhawk who has skills to be a starter on the next level” according to DraftCountdown. Although he has immense upside, Franks does have some areas of his game that need work. Franks has been characterized as being too aggressive, which can be a weakness as a cornerback. He also has been labeled as not physical or tough enough, as well as not having the best speed to recover when he gets beat.

How High Can He Rise?

The sky seems the limit for Franks as an Atlanta Falcon. His first duties will be to work hard and compete at a high enough level to insure that he makes the active roster. That’s something that’s certainly not guaranteed to cornerbacks drafted by Thomas Dimitroff, just ask former 5th round draftee William Middleton and former 6th round draftee Wilrey Fontenot, both cornerbacks who are neither on the team or the practice squad. The battle will be fierce with the cornerback position suddenly being one of the deeper positions on the team. Immediate starter Dunta Robinson was signed via free agency, Chris Owens and Brent Grimes proved they both can be starters when they proved it down the stretch last year, Brian Williams is looking good in rehab and looks to be ready to go, and Chevis Jackson supposedly had a very good mini-camp knowing what’s at stake. Even though the Falcons carried 6 cornerbacks on their active roster last year, there’s no guarantee they will again with all the talent across the board.

Assuming Franks makes the roster, which is highly likely (we carried Houston and Hill last year for goodness sake), the question is what role can he play? Taking into account no injuries occur (fingers crossed), it’s a pretty safe bet that Robinson, Owens, and Grimes are the top cornerbacks on the roster and likely will take the top two spots and the third taking the nickel slot. The question then remains what roles will Brian Williams and/or Chevis Jackson play. After starting the year and playing very well, Williams was lost for the year against the Bears with a pretty severe knee injury. Many thought Williams may not be re-signed, but Dimitroff and Co. were pleased with his rehab and loved his leadership and play. Jackson had a pretty great rookie year easing into the nickel back role, only to have his role reduced and his play go down in his second year. Even though Jackson was a Dimitroff draft pick, he looks to possibly be on the bubble with all the new talent in the secondary. Add to that the fact that he couldn’t win starting or major spot in last year’s overall weak cornerback corps and you can see why he’s driven and ready to have a big camp. Let the games begin.

Inside Track for Special Teams Maven?

Although Franks may not be one of the best returners in the game certainly isn’t a homerun threat (0 punt or kick return TDs), he did log the 6th best season for a punt returner in Oklahoma history in very limited time. Franks is quick, has great hands, and excellent vision when returning the ball both on punts and kickoffs. Eric Weems had his flashes and may only get better, but Franks could mount a serious challenge to make a play for special teams maven for the Falcons. But upon second look, Weems actually had a much better year than some may realize. Weems was ranked 8th in the NFL in kick return yards (1214), 12th in punt return yards (270), and 5th overall in terms of comprehensive rankings according to ProFootballFocus.com. Franks could push for major time on special teams, but Weems won’t give up without a fight.

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[nobkowski]

Although many fans and media types alike vehemently disagreed and criticized some picks that Thomas Dimitroff chose on draft weekend, it was almost a consensus lock of being an excellent draft choice of Oklahoma Cornerback Dominique Franks in the 5th Round. Almost everyone knew that the Falcons would go cornerback at some point during the draft to continue and build a deep, tough, and athletic secondary, but didn't know exactly when that TD would pull the trigger. The signing of veteran CB Dunta Robinson in free agency made it a much lower priority than first round, as originally thought. It was also widely believed that the Falcons would target a cornerback who could assist them in the return game as well since Eric Weems was decent, although not great, and Harry Douglas return days are probably over. After being projected to go in the second or third round, looks like Dimitroff may have hit a homerun grabbing Franks in the fifth round.

A Playmaking Cornerback

Franks entered the NFL Draft as a junior after having a very successful career at Oklahoma. After redshirting and seeing limited time in his first full year, Franks racked up 96 tackles, 15 pass breakups, and 6 interceptions in two years. The Oklahoma cornerback was named 2nd Team All-Big 12 his sophomore year and 1st Ream All-Big 12 his junior year. Declaring for the draft, Franks was characterized as a very athletic cornerback with good size (5'11, 195) and superb skills when he gets his hands on the ball. He also had traits of being a hard-worker, a very good tackler, confident, and "a ballhawk who has skills to be a starter on the next level" according to DraftCountdown. Although he has immense upside, Franks does have some areas of his game that need work. Franks has been characterized as being too aggressive, which can be a weakness as a cornerback. He also has been labeled as not physical or tough enough, as well as not having the best speed to recover when he gets beat.

How High Can He Rise?

The sky seems the limit for Franks as an Atlanta Falcon. His first duties will be to work hard and compete at a high enough level to insure that he makes the active roster. That's something that's certainly not guaranteed to cornerbacks drafted by Thomas Dimitroff, just ask former 5th round draftee William Middleton and former 6th round draftee Wilrey Fontenot, both cornerbacks who are neither on the team or the practice squad. The battle will be fierce with the cornerback position suddenly being one of the deeper positions on the team. Immediate starter Dunta Robinson was signed via free agency, Chris Owens and Brent Grimes proved they both can be starters when they proved it down the stretch last year, Brian Williams is looking good in rehab and looks to be ready to go, and Chevis Jackson supposedly had a very good mini-camp knowing what's at stake. Even though the Falcons carried 6 cornerbacks on their active roster last year, there's no guarantee they will again with all the talent across the board.

Assuming Franks makes the roster, which is highly likely (we carried Houston and Hill last year for goodness sake), the question is what role can he play? Taking into account no injuries occur (fingers crossed), it's a pretty safe bet that Robinson, Owens, and Grimes are the top cornerbacks on the roster and likely will take the top two spots and the third taking the nickel slot. The question then remains what roles will Brian Williams and/or Chevis Jackson play. After starting the year and playing very well, Williams was lost for the year against the Bears with a pretty severe knee injury. Many thought Williams may not be re-signed, but Dimitroff and Co. were pleased with his rehab and loved his leadership and play. Jackson had a pretty great rookie year easing into the nickel back role, only to have his role reduced and his play go down in his second year. Even though Jackson was a Dimitroff draft pick, he looks to possibly be on the bubble with all the new talent in the secondary. Add to that the fact that he couldn't win starting or major spot in last year's overall weak cornerback corps and you can see why he's driven and ready to have a big camp. Let the games begin.

Inside Track for Special Teams Maven?

Although Franks may not be one of the best returners in the game certainly isn't a homerun threat (0 punt or kick return TDs), he did log the 6th best season for a punt returner in Oklahoma history in very limited time. Franks is quick, has great hands, and excellent vision when returning the ball both on punts and kickoffs. Eric Weems had his flashes and may only get better, but Franks could mount a serious challenge to make a play for special teams maven for the Falcons. But upon second look, Weems actually had a much better year than some may realize. Weems was ranked 8th in the NFL in kick return yards (1214), 12th in punt return yards (270), and 5th overall in terms of comprehensive rankings according to ProFootballFocus.com. Franks could push for major time on special teams, but Weems won't give up without a fight.

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That was a lot of reading, but logically speaking, the higher he rises, the better we will be.

We have suddenly gotten much better and deeper at the cb spot, so it's possible he may not even make the 53 roster.

We also have a lot or receivers in camp, so he could possibly make it as a return guy and knock Weems out of the mix.

[maxatlanta]

I think we carry all 6 cbs unless one of them gives us a reason not to. While Owens and Grimes really came on at the end of the year, Williams is the only one of those 3 who has proven he can do it consistently. He should not be a favorite to win the starting job, but it is premature to write him off. I would be very comfortable with him and Dunta out there.

Weems lost some focus in the return game at the end of last season. He was excellent overall though. It should be interesting to watch the return competition unfold.

[Bucman™®]

Reading the title i was thinking he was going to climb a tall tree/building/hill or something...

[Shredman]

I think we carry all 6 cbs unless one of them gives us a reason not to. While Owens and Grimes really came on at the end of the year, Williams is the only one of those 3 who has proven he can do it consistently. He should not be a favorite to win the starting job, but it is premature to write him off. I would be very comfortable with him and Dunta out there.

Weems lost some focus in the return game at the end of last season. He was excellent overall though. It should be interesting to watch the return competition unfold.

i would be more than comfortable with williams and drob manning the corners...

you are talking about 2 proven corners, lets not forget williams was by farrrrrrrrrrr our best corner before he got hurt, thats the only deal, if he is only 80% we may see owens or grimes on the other side, if he is 100%, i dont think either could take his job the way he has played the last 3 yrs with jax and us in 09 before he got hurt.....

[CraigSmackDaddy]

I think we will carry 6 db's. I see Robinson and Grimes as the starters. Depending on who we play and how well Grimes plays I could see Owens or Williams getting a "start" in some games as well just due to the fact Grimes has trouble with taller receivers.

[delaigle]

QB passing ratings against each CB

Hill 120.5

Jackson 100.1

Houston 94.8

Williams 94.5

Owens 82.3

Grimes 65.0

But remember that there is a wide difference between the number of snaps for each of these CBs.

[millenium falcon]

i think #4 CB spot is between jackson and williams. it comes down to how much jackson improves in 3rd year and if williams is even back from injury. franks is a lock as #5 and atleast 2nd string PR unless he wins the job outright.

[delaigle]

i think #4 CB spot is between jackson and williams. it comes down to how much jackson improves in 3rd year and if williams is even back from injury. franks is a lock as #5 and atleast 2nd string PR unless he wins the job outright.

That implies that the loser for the #4 slot (Williams or Jackson) falls all the way to #6 or is cut???

Edited May 14, 2010 by delaigle

[MattM12]

QB passing ratings against each CB

Hill 120.5

Jackson 100.1

Houston 94.8

Williams 94.5

Owens 82.3

Grimes 65.0

But remember that there is a wide difference between the number of snaps for each of these CBs.

that is a very nice stat indeed, which accounts for owens productive late stretch,and grimes' high pick count. It also shows us that although williams was indeed a better option than houston outright, he may not be the future at cb

Dunta, Grimes and Owens please