TJ Tampa 2024 NFL Draft Profile
Iowa State’s TJ Tampa has been cemented squarely in the upper-middle part of this Cornerback class for the 2024 NFL Draft for most of the season. Tampa developed very nicely each year while playing for the Cyclones, and will look to make a name for himself in the NFL. What does his draft profile look like? Let’s talk about it.
Tampa, a former three-star recruit out of Florida coincidentally enough, committed to play for Iowa State in 2020, and became the full time starter in 2022 after playing special teams for two seasons. In his final two seasons, he totaled 83 tackles, 14 pass breakups, and three interceptions. The opposing QB rating when he was targeted was 62.8, which is more than solid.
TJ Tampa has got a nice frame for the position (6’1, 190 lbs) but what stands out is that he’s a knuckle dragger. He does a great job using that length to be very disruptive at the point of catch. That length also helps when pressing off the line as well. One of the few corners in this class who excels in zone coverage compared to man (we will get to that shortly). Has a great feel for his zone and uses clean footwork to change direction when need be. Physical to move his man off his route.
Tampa does struggle a bit in man coverage, and it’s mostly his backpedal. Very choppy, not very smooth, doesn’t flip his hips very well to turn on go routes. Plus, he doesn’t have top-end speed to keep up with those faster receivers. The pad level when going back in either man or zone coverage runs a bit high as well. He does a nice job in run support by can’t be left by himself in the open field. Out-breaking routes also look like a struggle at times, again comes back to the hips.
I like the upside that TJ Tampa brings to the table. It’s not often you find Cornerbacks who thrive in zone coverage like he does. I have a mid-second-round grade on him, but if I was a team without a true CB1 on the roster I would be a little hesitant. He needs to be with a real leader in that CB room who he can learn man coverage from and work on refining some of those nagging issues.
Click here for more 2024 NFL Draft coverage!
