position rank
overall rank
Analyst's Report
Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan
Size:
Height: 6012
Weight: 190
Arm: 30 ⅞”
Hand: 9”
Accomplishments:
2x All-Conference at Iowa Community College
“Bilhal Kone is a lengthy, fluid corner with smooth hips that can disrupt the game as a boundary corner.”
Strengths:
Smooth hips
Matches routes
Good anticipation
Press coverage
Concerns:
Limited scheme
Eye discipline
Ball production
Tackling transition to NFL
Top-end speed
Film Analysis:
Bilhal Kone is a fifth-year senior cornerback who began his career at Iowa Community College before transferring to Indiana State for one season and finishing his collegiate career with two seasons at Western Michigan. Over his three Division I seasons, Kone tallied 140 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and two interceptions. A long, fluid corner, Kone primarily played boundary corner for the Broncos.
Kone’s smooth movement skills are one of his standout traits—essential for an NFL corner. His fluid hips and ability to transition smoothly in and out of breaks allow him to mirror receivers effectively. Despite his height (6-foot-2), Kone does not show the need to change pad level when making cuts. He shows good route anticipation in both man and zone coverage. He often used bail technique within the scheme at Western Michigan, and he demonstrated an ability to stay in-phase with receivers while matching their routes.
Kone is particularly strong in press coverage. He does an excellent job of mirroring a receiver’s release step-for-step, without being overly grabby. His length and technique allow him to contest the receiver's route, and he consistently matches their route with fluidity. Kone also shows a willingness to tackle, though his technique could use improvement. He plays with a relentless motor, consistently making effort plays, and has proven he can be disruptive against high-level competition, notably performing well in matchups against Ohio State and Wisconsin.
Kone’s game does have some concerns while he transitions to the next level. Kone played in a very limited scheme while at Western Michigan. Kone was frequently asked to play off coverage as the Broncos played a heavy amount of Cover 3. He will have to adapt to a much more complex scheme in the NFL. Kone will need to use his length in press coverage more often to help disrupt releases and timing of routes, instead of only relying on his exceptional ability to mirror receivers.
In his off-man coverage, Kone's bail technique has shown some vulnerability to in-breaking routes. He is comfortable with outside leverage and playing with his “butt-to-sideline,” but this occasionally opens the door for receivers to break inside and gain separation. As Kone faces faster, more refined NFL route-runners, he will need to adapt his leverage and footwork to avoid losing on those in-breaking routes.
As previously mentioned, Kone’s tackling technique needs to improve to consistently tackle ball-carriers in the NFL. Kone can sometimes lunge, leave his feet, and/or duck his head when trying to make tackles. Kone also struggles with eye discipline, as he has been shown to get greedy and give up big plays in the process. While in some instances he has the speed to recover, his top-end speed is a slight concern, and he will need to rely more on positioning and anticipation rather than pure speed. I would have also liked to see more on-ball production from Kone, turning PBU opportunities into interceptions and forcing more turnovers.
Kone has the traits to develop into a productive starting cornerback at the NFL level. His physical tools—length, fluidity, and press coverage ability—are undeniable, and his experience in both man and zone coverage gives him a solid foundation. However, Kone will need to continue refining and improving his game. Kone has the potential to be a solid contributor in the NFL.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Exposures: Ohio State (2024), Wisconsin (2024), Eastern Michigan (2024), Akron (2024)