Mike Mickens SELECTED BY: Cowboys Round 7 (18)

SI Grade 3.64 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Four-year starter awarded all-Conference honors since his freshman season as well his being named as an All-American after his junior campaign. Totaled 70/4/10 last season in 11 games after missing three contests with a knee injury. Junior totals included 53/6/6 after 59/3/15 as a sophomore.

POSITIVES: Nice-sized cover man who has shown flashes of dominance the past four years. Feisty, fights hard to defend the throw, and he improved the physical nature of his game last year. Quick pedaling in reverse, fluid turning his hips, and loses nothing in transition. Effectively reads receivers? eyes and gets his head back around to locate the pass. Displays a good sense of timing, anticipation, and overall awareness. Shows a burst of speed to the action.

NEGATIVES: Seemed to play back on his heels at times last season. Struggles staying with receivers out of their breaks, and displays just an average break to the throw out of his plant. Blows assignments or loses his man on occasion. Not a sure-handed tackler, and gathers into ball carriers.

ANALYSIS: Mickens has been a solid college defensive back, yet he did not improve over the course of the last two seasons as scouts thought he would. He may be better off in a zone system where he?s facing the action. Mickens offers the size/speed as well as skill to eventually develop into a starter on the NFL level if he improves his game.

PROJECTION: Third Round