Shaun Prater Notes

Another Iowa player who submitted paper work to the NFL Draft Advisory board after the 2010 season and didn't like what he heard back. Given a 4th-5th round estimated value, he decided to come back for another year.

Height: 5'9
Weight: 180
Projected 40: 4.50-4.55

Zone Coverage:
Iowa plays a alot of cover 2 and Prater is at his best in that scheme. He does a solid job playing his cover 2 flat and riding vertical routes when necessary. Will come up and make solid tackles on balls caught in front of him in his zone.  Aggressively attacks flat routes and crossing routes in front of him. When in deep 3rd does a very nice job of squeezing routes and reading the QB's eyes. Strong overall zone skills.

Man Coverage:
Iowa doesn't run a lot of man coverage, but you'll see them run it time to time. Prater has good foot speed and can run with WR's on vertical routes, but his lack of size makes it difficult for him to go up and challenge for jump balls. Does a nice job when lined up inside over slot receivers which may be his best place to line up in the NFL. Has been beaten over the top on posts a number of times on film study. Average overall man skills.

Footwork/COD skills:
Has excellent natural agility and COD skills. Does step in the bucket more than you'd like to see though. Has a solid plant and drive to the football on routes in front of him. Has a tendency to get a little jittery with his footwork and can get himself out of position at at times. Will get a little high in his backpedal at times, and need to focus on keeping his COG low. Has fluid hips and and turn and run smoothly. Needs some work on his technique and footwork.

Run Support:
Prater is a solid run support defender despite being undersized. He'll throw his body around and tackle low on backs in the open field. At times will struggle to get off blocks, but generally does a good job of playing with his outside shoulder free. Will need to get bigger and stronger to be effective against the run in the NFL. Soild effort as a run defender, but will be limited by size.


Draft Value:
Prater is a bit undersized for an NFL CB and doesn't have much room on his frame to add a whole lot more bulk. Looks to be a good fit as a slot CB early in his career with the possibility of playing more outside as he progresses. Should be a guy who can play on kick coverage teams and has been a solid gunner on punt coverage for Iowa. I'd put a 4th round value on him for now.