RAV KCC ATL HOU DEN NWE LVR CRD MIN SDG CLE CIN LV BOS TB STL NO WSH ARI PHO PIT CAR JAC MIA CHI CLV CHR W 40x40 ARZ LA TBB RAI RAV KCC ATL HOU DEN NWE LVR CRD MIN SDG CLE CIN LV BOS TB STL NO WSH ARI PHO PIT CAR JAC MIA CHI CLV CHR W 40x40 ARZ LA TBB RAI

Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

James Hayden () - 1971 NFL Draft Pick #301 by CIN

What The Experts Thought Before The Draft

Pre-Draft Analysis: James Hayden (1971 NFL Draft)

Player Profile:
  • Name: James Hayden
  • Position: Defensive Back
  • College: University of Colorado
Scouting Report:
  • Size: Standing at 6'0" and weighing around 190 lbs, Hayden possesses the ideal size for a defensive back.
  • Speed: Known for his exceptional speed, Hayden can cover a lot of ground in the secondary, making him a threat against both the pass and run.
  • Cover Skills: Exhibits strong man-to-man coverage abilities, showing good footwork and agility to stay with receivers.
  • Ball Skills: Displays excellent hands, often coming down with interceptions and deflections, making him a playmaker in the defensive backfield.
  • Tackling: Solid tackler who is not afraid to step up against the run, demonstrating good form and technique.
Strengths:
  • Excellent athleticism and quickness, allowing him to match up well against faster receivers.
  • High football IQ, capable of reading plays and reacting quickly.
  • Experience playing against top-tier competition in college, which should translate well to the professional level.
Areas for Improvement:
  • Needs to improve his ability to read and react to route combinations effectively.
  • Could work on his physicality at the line of scrimmage to better disrupt receivers' timing.
Overall Evaluation:

James Hayden is regarded as a promising prospect heading into the 1971 NFL Draft. With his combination of size, speed, and skill, he has the potential to become a valuable asset in the secondary for any team. While he may need to refine certain aspects of his game, his upside makes him a player worth taking a chance on in the early rounds of the draft.