2024 NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Daequan Hardy, CB, Penn State

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Daequan Hardy, #25
School (Code)	PAST
DOB, Class Yr	N/A, rSR/2024
Height, Weight	5090, 181 lbs.
40 Yd Dash	4.50e
Arms, Hands	N/A
Position/Depth	Slot CB
Honors/Captainship	Developmental Squad DPOY in 2019, 2021 All Big Ten honoree
Season Viewed (yr)	2022
Games Watched	Purdue, Auburn, Central Michigan & Indiana
Scout Name / Date	Justyce Gordon, 07/20/23

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2022	13 tackles (9 solo), .5 sacks, 1 FF, 1 Int & 4 PD’s in 13 games
2021	16 tackles (11 solo), 3 TFL’s, 1 sack, 2 Int’s & 7 PD’s in 13 games
2020	10 tackles (8 solo), 3 PD’s & 1 sack in 9 games
2019	N/A. Practice Squad.

Player Summary:

Daequan Hardy shows natural abilities in man coverage, he plays with good balance to mirror well, shows overall good route rec to anticipate routes and run hip to hip with opponent, possesses good speed to run with most receivers as well as good recover ability when he loses initial step, good ability to track ball when he gets his head around and shows good hands and ball skills to make plays on ball when in position to. Hardy shows really good awareness of his in Man as well, understands when he has help over the top he’s up to undercut routes and he does that very well, Hardy does show solid ability in Zone as well as he gets good depth in his zone(s) and he’s able to play the eyes of the QB which he likes to do. Hardy also shows active hands and willingness to shed blocks despite his size. Hardy’s size limits him at his position and is why he was strictly a nickel for most of his career and was kept off the field on early downs and in running situations. Because he possesses below-average height, poor physical strength and a very slender frame he lacks ability to play on the outside vs bigger bodies and easily gets overmatched, and also struggles making tackles vs bigger opponents in run game. While Hardy excels in Man, there are areas where he needs to improve. Hardy plays aggressively and likes to use his route rec ability to jump routes, while that’s good when he’s able to make a play on ball, it leads to him getting beat with double moves at release points. He lacks a brand of physicality as well for the position, lacks jam at LOS and can leave too much space between opponents downfield. Hardy tends to struggle getting head around downfield as well which can lead to penalties and tracking issues at next level.

Scheme Fit:

Nickel in a Cover 2 Man

Power Statement:

Daequan Hardy thrives on his instincts and ball skills to make plays on the ball. He best fits as a nickel in a Cover 2 Man scheme at the next level. Right now, he offers more special team value than anything at the next level, his speed would make him a nice option to fill a spot as a gunner. His game needs refining and polish to see action vs pro receivers, I believe his floor is journeyman practice squad player, with his ceiling being a guy that can crack a 53 and even serve as a nice rotational piece if everything comes together for him.