2023 NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Destin Talbert, CB, North Dakota State

Destin Talbert is a sleeper prospect out of North Dakota State who's an effective press corner with solid athleticism. Hula Bowl Scout Mike Bey breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of Talbert as an NFL Draft Prospect in his report. — Destin Talbert is a sleeper prospect out of North Dakota State who’s an effective press corner with solid athleticism. Hula Bowl Scout Mike Bey breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of Talbert as an NFL Draft Prospect in his report.

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Destin Talbert, #6
School (Code)	NDST
DOB, Class Yr	10/25/99, 5^th Yr SR
Height, Weight	5114e, 186e
40 Yd Dash	4.5e
Arms, Hands	3078, 938
Position/Depth	CB/1st
Honors/Captainship	2022 Team Captain
Season Viewed (yr)	2022
Games Watched	@AZUN, @SDUN @INST, SDST, @ILWE
Scout Name / Date	Mike Bey 11/13/2022

Per Year Stats

2022	10 GP, 9 GS, 35 Tkl, 1 Tfl, 1 FF, 2 PBU, 1 INT
2021	15 GP, 31 Tkl, 3 INT
2020	10 GP, 5 GS, 25 Tkl
2019	16 GP, 24 Tkl
2018	11 GP, 5 Tkl

Player Summary:

5^th yr SR and 1 yr full-time starter at CB where he plays as a LCB in the 4-2-5 Nickel defense of NDST. He possesses solid height with marginal weight with adequate speed and a lean build with good arm definition and subpar length. He is a solid athlete showing a combination of solid COD, acceleration, lateral quickness and agility with average balance and adequate explosiveness with solid play speed. He is solid in press coverage while mirroring as he matches the feet of the WR who possess average AA and can stay in phase with his man down the field keeping him at an arm’s length. He is average in off-man as he reads the hips of the WR with adequate COD and uses his solid AA and play speed to keep his man in front of him. In zone, he shows average hip fluidity as he turns and bails and shows good awareness as he reads the QB while patrolling the flat in cover 2/6 and the deep third of the field in cover 3. He reacts quickly to the ball when thrown in his zone and shows good closing speed in pursuit as he knocks the WR out of bounds on underneath routes. He shows quality mental toughness as his play improves significantly against the run and pass when in the redzone. He displays solid willingness to assist against the run as he makes a good effort to pursue the RB when he is unblocked. When engaged in 1on1 situations with WR against the run, he is subpar due to adequate play strength when shedding blocks and below-average explosiveness when trying to make the tackle. He exhibits subpar ball skills due to him struggling to time his hands to disrupt the trajectory of the ball for a PBU or come down with an interception.