An aggressive, playmaking corner with traits to stay with receivers but at his best with the play in front of him and in zone
- 6’1″ 197 pounds and expected sub-4.5 speed
- 7.0 passer rating allowed, 6 PBUs and 3 interceptions on 33 targets in 2023
- Still underrated – broke out in 2023 as one of the SEC’s best CBs, but an injury shortened his season
- Expected draft position – early day 3
Kamal, currently projected as an early day 3 pick (I have him with a R3 grade), is one of the best upside cornerbacks in this class. An injury in the Alabama game ended his breakout 2023 season early, but he has outside corner traits and talent if used in the right scheme:
- An aggressive playmaking corner with the mentality and finger-wagging, forget-the-last-play swagger you want
- Size and speed, listed at 6’1″ and 197lbs with a projected forty in the upper 4.4s (although I don’t think he looks quite as big on field as his measurements)
- Athletic enough to play man and stick with receivers, but at his best with the play in front of him or in zone
- Played little press so there isn’t a ton of film there but this was more Tennessee’s scheme than his limitation – in clips you will see, he’s effective staying with receivers but he doesn’t get his head turned around consistently
- Gets his hands on the ball at one of the best rates – his 18% forced incompletion rate and 8 interceptions over the past two seasons (6% interception rate) are both one of the best in recent drafts
- Gives up extremely little, holding receivers to a 36% reception rate (behind only Eli Ricks and Devon Witherspoon last year), 2.9 yards per target and only 1.7 average yards after catch
- One of the better corners covering big receivers with good film against 6’6″ 240lb TE Jake Johnson, 6’4″ 220lb WR Malachi Fields, and 6’1″ 220lb Xavier Legette, who all had some of their worst games against Tennessee with Hadden covering them
- Tackling has been an issue but is improved after a disastrous and eye-opening game against Florida early this season
Film clips
These clips summarize his coverage – you will see his effectiveness and closing speed in off coverage. In press, he stays with receivers but often doesn’t turn back to the ball, he will get flags in the NFL. But he will also make plays on the ball – a lot of Tennessee critics will say he had a lot of easy interceptions, and some were like the one on Spencer Rattler below, but he also has the tip to himself against Texas A&M to seal the game.
(Apologies for the broadcast copy as Hadden is so under-the-radar that all-22 film isn’t out yet…)
Draft fit
Like past high-upside CBs Howie has looked to add to the secondary, Hadden is another guy whose traits and upside are better than his expected draft position. He has limitations but, if used to his skillsets, he could be well worth a mid-round pick.