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Mike Echols
SELECTED BY CHICAGO , ROUND 4, PICK 14, OVERALL PICK 110
DB | (5-9, 190, 4.45) | Wisconsin
By Pro Football WeeklyNotes: Ran track this past spring at Wisconsin. Redshirted in 1997 and has started every game from 1998 to 2001, except for the one game he was suspended by the NCAA in '00 for receipt of extra benefits. Was always overshadowed by All-American Jamar Fletcher until this year. Still had 46 tackles, six passes broken up and three interceptions in 1998, 31-12-1 in '99 and 69-24-5 in 2000, when teams started staying away from Fletcher and going after Echols. In '01, teams tended to avoid Echols, but he still had 67 tackles, 12 passes broken up and three interceptions. Echols is an insulin-dependent diabetic who must give himself injections every day and be careful about what and when he eats.Positives: Has tremendous character. Great kid who has overcome a great deal to get where he is. Has good overall athletic ability and very good jumping ability. Has posted some great 40-times and has a 40-inches-plus vertical jump. Over the course of his career, Echols has gotten both mentally and physically bigger and tougher. Can be an effective press corner who has catch-up speed and range. Is quick-footed and agile and is no straight-line track athlete who can't change directions. Has been amazingly durable, all things considered.Negatives: Although it does not seem to affect his play or durability, you can't overlook the fact that he is an insulin-dependent diabetic. Lacks size and, while tough enough, is not big enough to be physical. Big, strong receivers can use this against Echols, and though he has a fine vertical jump, they will take a lot of jump balls away from him. He does not always play the ball or time his jumps that well. Against the run, he is not afraid to come up and tackle, but at times he just gets buried by the blocker. Will struggle some in backed-off man-on-man coverage and will look a little stiff in his backpedal. Tends to stay in his pedal too long and does not always take good angles out of his pedal. Has gotten turned around and beaten badly at times in man-off situations.Summary: Is a good prospect for a team that uses a lot of press coverage but is not a top prospect because of his size, limitations and diabetes.* Player biographies are provided by Pro Football Weekly.
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