Scouting The Draft, Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma

I seem to have done a complete 180 on the need in the first round of the draft. I was quite certain that we would sign Lito back up at a more reasonable price, thus allowing us to concentrate on another area for the draft. However the more I think about it, the more I think that perhaps we don't plan on bringing Lito back, dropping him for the biggest game in over 10 years. He is probably not too happy about that, Rex was obviously not happy with his play, and any time your demotion means more playing time for Drew Coleman, it might be time to move on. Anyway I'm sure we can focus on Lito at some point like we have been doing with some other players. I just wanted to briefly explain why my focus lately has shifted from the front 7 to the back 4.So with that said, here we go.

When Dominique Franks said that he was returning to Oklahoma for his senior season in December, I thought that it was probably a good choice. He is extremely talented, and a senior season to showcase his improvements could vault him into a first round selection. So I was a little surprised a few weeks ago when Franks announced that he had changed his mind and would now enter the 2010 NFL Draft. Even after the draft committee said he was a 3rd round prospect right now.

"It's what's best," Franks told ESPN's Joe Schad. "I can shut down one side of the field and I study and work hard enough to know what's coming.

"I'm going to start training today to get stronger and make sure all my techniques are great for the [NFL scouting] combine," he said.

He has the talent, but his Junior campaign was not quite as impressive as his previous season. If he hopes to get into the first round, then he is going to have a very impressive combine and pro day, in fact it is going to have to be out of this world good. I'm not sure he will be able to do enough to get into the late first round, in fact I highly doubt it, right now it's, can he get into the mid second round? Just advancing on the idea yesterday of trading down in the draft to pick up extra picks, I decided this would be a good time to look at Franks, not at 29, but possibly with our second round selection.

Career Stats

2006- (RS)

2007- 13 games played, 5 tackles, 0 passes broken up, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, 0 interceptions

2008- 14 games played, 44 tackles, 10 passes broken up, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, 4 interceptions

2009- 13 games played, 47 tackles, 5 passes broken up, 0 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 interceptions

Career Awards & Achievements

2008 Second-team All-Big 12 (AP, Coaches)

2009 Second-team All Big 12

2008 All Big 12 first team (Dallas Morning News)

First-Team All-State (Tulas High School)

Oklahoma player of the year (High School, Tulsa)

What does Dominique Franks do well?

He looks fast on the field and he claims to be able to run a 4.3 forty yard dash, now he doesn't look that fast to me but that will be one to watch at the combine this year. He has fluid hips, stays low in the backpeddal, a decent burst, reads the game quite well. Makes plays on the ball, should of had more, a decent tackler who can put a big hit on you. Nice size at 6'0 192lb's. Has a lot of confidence in himself and believes that he can be the best. Works and studies film, played in a pass happy offence and held his own, and actually got to the point where teams would often look away from him.

What does Dominique Franks need to improve on?

He needs to get stronger at the line. Concentration wavers a little too much, and in previous years sometimes had problems picking up the right receiver. Not much of a threat blitzing, and needs to work on reading the run. Very much a cover man. Can allow a little too much separation, and his closing speed is not always noticeable on the field. Can be frustrated and outspoken, he sent a little trash Tebow's way.

Final Word

This was the toughest scouting report I have done, because quite simply, there was hardly any film on him at all. I had to do most from memory of any Oklahoma games I have done. I'm not sure why he has not been given a little more coverage. The draft committee projected him as a 3rd round pick, I think he likely runs a good 40, has a nice showing at his pro day, and goes somewhere from 20-32 in the second round. So we are looking more for our 2nd round draft pick than our first with Franks IMO. To be perfectly honest, I don't have much interest in Franks, think his potential for the next level is just to be a 'solid' player. I have heard some good things from Oklahoma fans and some bad. He would be a little bit of a project, but he has good size, good speed and football instincts and awareness.

At best he is probably a mid 2nd round prospect, at worst he could go as low as the 4th.

Only a couple of plays here, highlights were hard to come by

My order of preference for prospects we have looked at so far:

1) Perrish Cox

2) Jared Odrick

3) Brandon Graham

4) Golden Tate

5) Kyle WIlson

6) Donovan Warren

=6) Patrick Robinson

7) Damien Williams

8) Dominique Franks (Only if we traded down with the first pick)

9) Taylor Mays

Other GGN Scouting Articles

Scouting The Draft, Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

Scouting The Draft, Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State

Scouting The Draft, Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State

Scouting The Draft, Donovan Warren, CB,Michigan

Scouting The Draft, Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

Scouting The Draft, Taylor Mays, S, USC

Scouting The Draft, Brandon Graham, Michigan

Scouting The Draft, Damian Williams

Scouting The Draft, Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State

Prospect Watch, Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida

Prospect Watch, Arthur Jones, DE, Syracuse

I think this is also a good time to have another poll. If we were definitely choosing a cornerback, which one would you prefer us to select. As you can see from my preference above, Cox wins this one for me.