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Our offseason series on top collegians at deep positions in the 2016 draft continues with a look at some of the top-rated cornerback prospects.
Our series on strong positions in the 2016 draft continues with a look at the top cornerback prospects who should be showing their wares on gridirons across America on Saturdays this fall. Last time around, we offered a list of defensive ends for your delectation; today, its cornerback. Given that 2015 is likely Mo Claiborne's last season in a Cowboys uniform, and the likelihood that the cap savings created by releasing Brandon Carr will outweigh the cap hit, it appears the Cowboys will once again be in the market for a top-rated corner, even after spending a 2015 first-rounder on Byron Jones.
As was the case with the pass rushers, most of the better cornerbacks are juniors, which makes sense given that corner is a position that relies on raw athleticism moreso than strength developed over the course of several years. That said there are some very intriguing senior candidates as well, guys who have been seasoned for four years in elite, major conference programs. So, while the top prospects in terms of pure athleticism maybe juniors, remember that senior corners with a lot of starts can provide scouts with a deeper sense of who they are as men and as players. For evidence of this, look no further than Byron Jones, who comes to Dallas with four years of positive reports in his portfolio.
Note: Juniors are designated with an *
Hargreaves made an impact immediately upon his arrival in Gainesville and hasn't looked back. As a true freshman, he recorded interceptions in his first three college games while totaling 11 pass breakups and 38 tackles for the year, enough for SEC coaches to make him a First-Team All-SEC selection; he also garnered All-American nods. In 2014, Hargreaves totaled 50 tackles, three interceptions and 13 passes broken up. At season's end, he received All-American laurels for the second consecutive year.
Hargreaves boasts natural cover skills and the raw speed and athleticism to run with speedy receivers; he was the only corner in 2014 that could run with Alabama's Amari Cooper. Although doesn't have ideal length, Hargreaves has enough size to handle big receivers. His best asset is his advanced ball skills; Hargreaves is capable of baiting quarterbacks and using his elite burst to pick off passes to seemingly open receivers.
Sources with NFL teams said that if Hargreaves were draft eligible in 2015, he would have been a top-10 pick. He could well end up being the best cornerback prospect to enter the NFL since Patrick Peterson or Joe Haden.
Next: the 2016 safety class
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