100 in 100: Javier Arenas (90 of 100)

by Drew Kerr on Apr 11, 2010 2:00 PM PDT in 100 in 100 (2010)

10 DAYS UNTIL THE DRAFT...

A lot of the pundits speculated that Javier Arenas was the best return man in the nation. I have to say that I disagree with that some. He was very good, but there are a few more players that I think had him beat in that regard. I believe that Arenas was a fantastic college football player and was able to play corner very well against some of the shorter wide receivers; however, in the NFL, I think he will be one-dimensional in being confined to just doing returns. He is not tall enough to cover the Randy Moss' and Vincent Jackson's of the league.

Although he is coming out after his Senior year, Arenas only played three years at the college level. He only started a year and a half out of those three. This past season he blossomed and had his best year. He was a key factor in the return game and a significant contributor on defense for the the Crimson Tide.

This past November, Arenas broke Derek Abney's SEC record for punt return touchdowns with 7. He was easily one of the more electrifying punt returners in college football last year. He reminds me a lot of a young Allen Rossum; explosive and dangerous.

Javier Arenas is also the cousin of NBA star Gilbert Arenas (who is currently suspended for bringing a firearm in to the locker room) of the Washington Wizards.

Below, as you're used to, we'll look at some of Arenas' highlights, stats, and I'll then provide a projection of where I think he'll end up being drafted.

There are some pretty decent highlights of Arenas returning some kicks here. He will be a solid pick, if he lasts until the later rounds. I think the mid rounds would be too high for him though.

AWARDS AND HONORS:

2007 All-SEC Freshman
2008 All-SEC Second Team
2009 All-American First Team
2009 All-American SEC

CAREER STATS:

Stats Overview	Tackles						Misc		Interceptions
YEAR	TOT	SOLO	AST	SACK	STF	STFY	FF	BK	INT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	PD
2007	20	13	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
2008	58	40	18	2	0	0	0	0	1	63	63.0	63	1	0
2009	70	46	24	5	0	0	0	0	5	25	5.0	22	0	0

2009 Regular Season Game Log			Tackles						Misc		Interceptions
DATE	OPP	RESULT	TOT	SOLO	AST	SACK	STF	STFY	FF	BK	INT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	PD
9/5	@Virginia Tech	W 34-24	5	3	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
9/12	FIU	W 40-14	5	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
9/19	North Texas	W 53-7	3	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	2
9/26	Arkansas	W 35-7	5	4	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
10/3	@Kentucky	W 38-20	8	5	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
10/10	@Mississippi	W 22-3	5	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.0	0	0	0
10/17	South Carolina	W 20-6	Did Not Play or did not accumulate any stats.
10/24	Tennessee	W 12-10	13	7	6	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
11/7	LSU	W 24-15	7	4	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
11/14	@Mississippi State	W 31-3	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
11/21	Chattanooga	W 45-0	3	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	22	22.0	22	0	2
11/27	@Auburn	W 26-21	7	4	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
12/5	Florida	W 32-13	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.0	0	0	0

2009 Postseason Game Log

Tackles

Misc

Interceptions

BOWL

OPP

RESULT

TOT

SOLO

AST

SACK

STF

STFY

INT

YDS

AVG

LNG

CITI BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Texas

W 37-21

1.5

SUMMARY AND PROJECTION:

I don't believe that Arenas will have the height and size to be a full-time starter on defense as a cornerback in the NFL. He could very well be a decent dime package corner though. His return abilities are going to be the thing that sets him apart from the average joe. Overall, I think Arenas will be an effective NFL player, but he will also be very one-dimensional as I mentioned above. I think that Arenas will be over-drafted and should go somewhere in the mid rounds. But if I was drafting, I wouldn't take him until the 5th-6th Round. He measured at 5'9" at the 2010 Combine and weighed in at 197 LBS.

Possibilities -- 3rd Round: Picks 81-98, 4th Round: Picks 99-131.

For more 100 in 100 articles, click the link below:

http://www.ninersnation.com/section/100-in-100-2010

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Comments

Just don't see him going before the fourth round, at best.

But hopefully not by the Niners in ANY round.

by 49erFanSince1950 on Apr 11, 2010 2:15 PM PDT reply actions

He will go in the 3rd or 4th unfortunately. He set records and played on a National Championship team. Some people feel like he’s the best returner coming out this year. He shouldn’t go before that, but he will.

by Drew Kerr on Apr 11, 2010 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions

The combine underlined durability issues

He wasn’t able to run at his pro day either. I expect him to slide to 4 and maybe even 5 now.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Apr 11, 2010 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions

lol you

Sharlon Schoop - de favoriete Nederlandse honkbalspeler van McCovey Chronicles.
You always have to be one step ahead of your drunk friends
--Daisy Owl

by Viliphied on Apr 11, 2010 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Arenas is a really good example of why value is so important in the draft

The first thing that comes to my mind about him is being beaten by Mardy Gilyard for a TD at the Senior Bowl. If he was at a non-SEC school, I think he would definitely be drafted much later than he’s projected. Yes he’s an outstanding PR/KR and may very well make some team happy to have him. But I would say the first 3-4 rounds are critical to a team’s needs, and I don’t think he holds the overall value to go that high. He may at some point become as good as maybe a #2 corner, but without the all around skills as a cover man, it won’t be for at least a couple of seasons.

by Mangoman on Apr 11, 2010 2:32 PM PDT reply actions

BTW

Best return man in college football? Maybe, but if it weren’t because Arenas appears to have more experience at doing it, I think Mr. Spiller might have something to say about that. Even Gilyard might have something to say about it!

by Mangoman on Apr 11, 2010 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Agree

by Drew Kerr on Apr 11, 2010 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Only time will tell.

I want the best player in the draft.

by rlott#42 on Apr 11, 2010 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Arenas was a better punt returner than any of those two.

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Apr 11, 2010 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

And that is mainly because Arenas has more punt returns, better return average and more TD’s than the other two. As a KR though, a case can be made that Arenas is not as good as either Spiller or Gilyard. And I’m sorry but he can’t be as valuable a player as Spiller or Gilyard.

by Mangoman on Apr 11, 2010 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Not saying you said anything about his value over them, but

I just had to reinforce my case as to why Arenas wouldn’t hold enough value for us to draft him.

by Mangoman on Apr 11, 2010 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions

I like Arenas....a lot...

watching him cover, he’s just aggressive and physical….I’d take him over Kareem Jackson every single time.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Apr 11, 2010 4:19 PM PDT reply actions

No way, not me.

by Drew Kerr on Apr 11, 2010 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Gotta agree with Drew on that one

There’s probably a good reason why Arenas had four more interceptions than Jackson last season, and it’s not because Jackson is better. It’s likely because QB’s were less willing to throw to his side of the field. Jackson is a much better all around CB. Bigger, more physical, more able to stay with his man or catch up to him if he initially gets beaten, better ability to get his hands in an break up the pass. BTW, the difference in career INT’s between Arenas & Jackson, 1.

by Mangoman on Apr 11, 2010 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions

oops I meant it’s not because Arenas is better!

by Mangoman on Apr 11, 2010 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Jackson's not more physical

He gets pushed around by possession WRs all the time. Heck, I remember the Tennessee game where RB Montario Hardesty was beating Jackson on routes.

Kareem may be more polished in his cover mechanics…but the guy isn’t physical like Arenas. Arenas on the slot is gonna be a good CB.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Apr 11, 2010 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe

He will have to prove that he can keep up with NFL receivers when they go deep downfield.

Hardesty is known to be a good route runner, so that might have had something to do with it. In actuality, Jackson and Arenas are both quite physical players, but in different ways. Jackson is very good as far as playing bump and run and knocking receivers off their routes. So I still think Jackson has better downfield skills than Arenas. Arenas apparently plays better defending shorter routes, so you likely have a point in that sense.

by Mangoman on Apr 11, 2010 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Mistake

You make a mistake in the fact that he won’t be covering the Moss and Jackson’s of the league. I don’t think they will even look at Arenas in that regard. He is a KR/PR guy that will cover the SLOT receiver. He will be going against the Wes Welker’s of the league, and in my mind, will do very well. Is he limited? YES. But to me it’s a waste of finger movements to even mention that he won’t be covering the #1 WRs in this league. He isn’t a #1 corner, thus won’t be covering #1 WR, if he was, he wouldn’t be going in 3rd or 4th round. He is a Nickel Corner and will be fine at it.

by hudd07 on Apr 11, 2010 5:16 PM PDT reply actions

+1

He must be a really lucky person because not every team comes equipped with freakish WRs like Moss. Any team looking for a solid slot covering DB (a #2 CB) would love this kid on thier team. + Return skills!! this guy is overflowing with value. If the kid has a solid head on him and a good work ethic, he’ll be around the NFL for awhile. Just as long as he doesn’t hang around his cousin too much.

by LADubbz45 on Apr 11, 2010 5:29 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

The kid is barely 5’9" and weighs less than 200 lbs, he’ll get worked by even the average NFL WR’s.

by Drew Kerr on Apr 11, 2010 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions

For value

I’d much rather have a guy like Walter Thurmond. He plays his actual position way better than Arenas, and his returning numbers I would take anyday. As long as we know he is reasonably healthy, I’d be inclined to pick him before Arenas.

by Mangoman on Apr 11, 2010 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions

He's not going to be a starter at all.

Not even a number two. He will be exploited on motion plays and audibles. So YES, he would have to cover them if he was on the field as a number one or even a number two! He is a KR/ PR guy and that’s where the buck stops with him. So say and think what you want, but that’s all he’s going to ever be, sorry.

by Drew Kerr on Apr 11, 2010 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions

I see him as a dime CB and a big "IF" at Nickel CB.

He can play in the quarter or dime where his lack of size is not providing a huge hole for whatever defense. I have to agree that a 1 or 2 CB is out of the question, and not soley based on his size, he has poor man coverage skills.

I want the best player in the draft.

by rlott#42 on Apr 11, 2010 6:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreement

I think he has a 75% chance of being a consistent nickle corner and definitely in on the dime package. This is mostly because against QBs that make mistakes, (60-70% of the league), he has the added benefit of being able to take their mistakes to the house.

Teams would have to be ludicrous to think he could be a legit #2 corner though.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Apr 11, 2010 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions

So basically, I see your response here as a waste of finger movements.

by Drew Kerr on Apr 11, 2010 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions

I post, and fortunately for me, don't sit around the board all day waiting for responses

I log back in as I have time, I don’t troll the boards just hoping for a response.

I think it’s obvious that he is a #3 DB. therefore will NOT be covering the Vincent Jackson’s and Randy Moss’ of the league. If he was a #1, he would be going in 1st and 2nd round. I just don’t think it’s correct to peg him as JUST a KR/PR. He will be fine in Nickel and Dime packages going up against the DeSean Jacksons, and Wes Welkers. I also think he could handle Percy Harvin, and Maclin. Not every WR in the league is 6 ft 6 in.

by hudd07 on Apr 11, 2010 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions