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Positives: (Defense) -- Short and small, but has lean muscle tone with well-defined chest and arms, good arm length and large hands for a player his size … Is still learning the tricks of recognizing routes, but is very alert handling his assignments playing in the zone, bringing good value for a sub package as a nickel back playing at the next level … Good student of the game who just needs patient coaching to help refine his technique, as he is more than willing to absorb anything the staff tosses at him … Shows courage and a combative nature battling for the ball in a crowd and despite his lack of size, he gets good elevation and extension to high point throws (despite his time as a receiver, he does struggle to look the ball in with his back to the quarterback) … Even though he doesn't transition consistently, he is quick in his backpedal, but must do a better job of maintaining position through his transition (rounds out of his breaks) … Has good closing speed and shows the ability to mirror receivers on deep routes (will struggle to recover, but if he stays on the hip of his opponent, he can run stride-for-stride) … Shows better ball location playing the zone (sees plays better in front of him than from behind) … Catches the ball well and shows natural hands for the interception … Will give up his body to make the tackle in run support and stays low in his pads to wrap and secure, but generates little pop behind his hits … Shows better range dropping off in the zone than in man coverage … Has a sharp break to the reception point and the short burst to cover ground racing down the sidelines on plays in front of him … Has the ability to keep the action in front of him, showing the timing and hands to get off the ground and make plays on the ball in the air.
(Offense) -- Hard worker who has a small, but well-defined body with above average stop-and-go action … Flashes quickness off the line, maintaining balance and body control in and out of his breaks … Plays at a low pad level that allows him to uncover from defenders in the open … Extends his arms and snatches the ball with his hands (will short arm too much in tight quarters, though) … Excels at working back to the ball and displays good acceleration to avoid the initial tackler … Effective on crossing patterns and shows flexibility in his adjustments turning on the ball … Gives a good blocking effort upfield in run support (better cut blocker than when facing up … One of the more versatile players around, and can also be an effective nickel back, with experience at the opposite side of the ball.
Negatives: (Defense) -- Has a well-defined frame, but it is at maximum growth potential and added bulk will impact his timed speed … Despite that impressive timed speed, it does not translate to the field, as he lacks suddenness … Needs to be more physical as a tackler, but because of a lack of bulk, he provides no pop on contact … More of a high-rodeo type of tackler, as he does not have the size or strength to suddenly stop an opponent with his initial hit … Still lacks good backpedal technique, as he does not change direction well and lacks ideal hip flexibility … Looks faster with the ball in his hands than he displays in pass coverage and because of size issues, he might be a better fit as a receiver … Shows good courage in run support, but blockers get into his body too often and he has still not learned how to avoid cut blocks … Must improve his acceleration and long speed, as receivers do have success getting behind him on routes and he does not have that second gear to instantly recover … Plays too cautiously, allowing a big cushion, which makes him late closing on the balls vs. plays in front of him … Does not have the hand punch needed to reroute receivers at the line of scrimmage … Still learning positioning skills, as he can be fooled by a receiver's double moves … Must do a better job of transitioning quickly, as he tends to round coming out of his breaks … Despite his receiving skills, he does not always locate the ball in flight with his back to the cornerback.
(Offense) -- Does not use his hands well to get a push off the defender releasing from the line … Lacks a sharp change of direction, showing better running ability straight-ahead … Lacks the strength to create separation after the catch in tight quarters … While he's an effective cut blocker, he does not have the size or strength to face up and stalk the defender with force … While tough over the middle, he tends to "short arm" (keeps his hands near his body) working for the ball in traffic … His slight frame could be a problem vs. the more physical pro cornerbacks … Shows effective moves to separate from the press coverage, but his lack of size causes him to get redirected at times coming off the snap.
Compares To: CHARLES GORDON-Minnesota … Like Gordon, a team that brings Franks into training camp might be impressed with his speed and versatility, feeling he can save them a roster spot by filling a variety of roles down on the depth chart. He is a smart player who picks things up quickly, but you just wish he was bigger, taller and stronger. If they measured him on heart and desire, he'd be an all star. Unfortunately, size counts in the NFL. Still, he has some measurable qualities that are worth giving a long look to in camp and stashing him on the developmental squad.
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