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ESPN NFL draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay identify their picks for the top defensive backs in the country. And it's no surprise that LSU -- with its 16 interceptions tied for second in the nation -- is well represented.
They also choose 2019 prospects rising up draft boards and give their picks for under-the-radar prospects to keep an eye on, the College Football Playoff and CFB MVP.
College football's best defensive backs
Best lockdown corner: Greedy Williams, LSU
If I'm starting a college football team from scratch, Williams is one of my first picks. There's a reason he's my top-ranked cornerback in next year's draft. The third-year sophomore has a big 6-foot-3 frame and elite ball skills -- he has eight interceptions and 19 pass breakups in two seasons at LSU. Williams struggled a little bit a week ago against Alabama, but he doesn't have much bad tape. He has an extremely high ceiling and is a potential top-five pick.
Runner-up: Deandre Baker, Georgia. Baker isn't far off from Williams, and both could go in the top 10 next April.
Best slot corner: Byron Murphy, Washington
If Williams and Baker are my two outside corners in the nickel, I'm happy with Murphy playing the slot, though he can play on the boundary at the next level. He is a natural playmaker, and at 5-foot-11 he has enough size to play anywhere. The catch-up speed sticks out on tape, as he sticks to receivers down the field. Like Williams, Murphy is a third-year sophomore, so he could stay at Washington and play in 2020.
Runner-up: Julian Love, Notre Dame. I'm cheating a little bit here because Love is a really good press-man corner, but not many true slot corners have emerged in the 2019 class -- yet. Love is 5-foot-11, but he plays bigger. He has broken up 14 passes this season.
Best deep safety: Grant Delpit, LSU
No, he's not eligible for the NFL draft until 2020, but Delpit is the best deep safety in the country right now. The 6-foot-3, 203-pounder has great hands and makes an impact at all levels of the defense. In 10 games, the sophomore has five interceptions and six passes broken up. He also has 63 tackles, including 9.5 for a loss and five sacks.
It's worth noting Alabama third-year sophomore Deionte Thompson is my top-ranked safety for the 2019 draft class. He's a ball hawk and a complete defender who can do it all anywhere in the secondary.
Runner-up: Lukas Denis, Boston College. This 5-foot-11, 185-pound safety is undersized but very skilled and plays the game hard. Denis has smooth hips and quick feet. Rangy and quick twitched, he hauled in a pick-six earlier this season -- his ninth career interception -- and has 39 tackles for the Eagles. I especially like his instincts and the angles he takes to the ball.
Best in-the-box safety: Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
Abram is a hard-hitting safety with outrageous tape. Even with less game experience than desired -- he wasn't even a full-time starter last season -- he flashes good football instincts and explosive closing burst. With an excellent size-speed combination at 6-foot, 215 pounds, Abram leads the Bulldogs with 77 tackles through 10 games this season.
Runner-up: Taylor Rapp, Washington. There isn't a tougher, more aggressive safety tandem in the country than Washington's Rapp and JoJo McIntosh. Rapp is a human scud missile, accumulating five TFL and four sacks through 10 games.
They also choose 2019 prospects rising up draft boards and give their picks for under-the-radar prospects to keep an eye on, the College Football Playoff and CFB MVP.
College football's best defensive backs
Best lockdown corner: Greedy Williams, LSU
If I'm starting a college football team from scratch, Williams is one of my first picks. There's a reason he's my top-ranked cornerback in next year's draft. The third-year sophomore has a big 6-foot-3 frame and elite ball skills -- he has eight interceptions and 19 pass breakups in two seasons at LSU. Williams struggled a little bit a week ago against Alabama, but he doesn't have much bad tape. He has an extremely high ceiling and is a potential top-five pick.
Runner-up: Deandre Baker, Georgia. Baker isn't far off from Williams, and both could go in the top 10 next April.
Best slot corner: Byron Murphy, Washington
If Williams and Baker are my two outside corners in the nickel, I'm happy with Murphy playing the slot, though he can play on the boundary at the next level. He is a natural playmaker, and at 5-foot-11 he has enough size to play anywhere. The catch-up speed sticks out on tape, as he sticks to receivers down the field. Like Williams, Murphy is a third-year sophomore, so he could stay at Washington and play in 2020.
Runner-up: Julian Love, Notre Dame. I'm cheating a little bit here because Love is a really good press-man corner, but not many true slot corners have emerged in the 2019 class -- yet. Love is 5-foot-11, but he plays bigger. He has broken up 14 passes this season.
Best deep safety: Grant Delpit, LSU
No, he's not eligible for the NFL draft until 2020, but Delpit is the best deep safety in the country right now. The 6-foot-3, 203-pounder has great hands and makes an impact at all levels of the defense. In 10 games, the sophomore has five interceptions and six passes broken up. He also has 63 tackles, including 9.5 for a loss and five sacks.
It's worth noting Alabama third-year sophomore Deionte Thompson is my top-ranked safety for the 2019 draft class. He's a ball hawk and a complete defender who can do it all anywhere in the secondary.
Runner-up: Lukas Denis, Boston College. This 5-foot-11, 185-pound safety is undersized but very skilled and plays the game hard. Denis has smooth hips and quick feet. Rangy and quick twitched, he hauled in a pick-six earlier this season -- his ninth career interception -- and has 39 tackles for the Eagles. I especially like his instincts and the angles he takes to the ball.
Best in-the-box safety: Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
Abram is a hard-hitting safety with outrageous tape. Even with less game experience than desired -- he wasn't even a full-time starter last season -- he flashes good football instincts and explosive closing burst. With an excellent size-speed combination at 6-foot, 215 pounds, Abram leads the Bulldogs with 77 tackles through 10 games this season.
Runner-up: Taylor Rapp, Washington. There isn't a tougher, more aggressive safety tandem in the country than Washington's Rapp and JoJo McIntosh. Rapp is a human scud missile, accumulating five TFL and four sacks through 10 games.
