cowboyjoe
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 28,423
- Reaction score
- 733
Chicago Tribune Dan Pompei column: NFL draft: Rating the cornerbacks
By Dan Pompei, Chicago Tribune
Apr. 21--12th in a series exploring the April 22-24 NFL draft.
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/yb/143968002
This cornerback class is very deep, which is very unusual. About 11 corners have third-round grades. That could mean teams drafting corners in the fourth and fifth rounds will get exceptional values.
1. Joe Haden, Florida, 5-11, 193: He looked like a top 15 pick until he ran a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. He recovered with a 4.43 at Florida's pro day, and his play speed seems good enough. But he now is seen as something less than an elite athlete and he might not be drafted quite as high as the original projection. Haden has pretty good cover skills -- he is aware in zone and has quickness to stay with receivers in man. He can play the ball in the air. He is a willing tackler. Haden was a high school quarterback and was very productive at corner for Florida. He is not a tall corner. His best spot might be on a Cover Two team.
2. Kyle Wilson, Boise State, 5-10, 194: His stock has been on the rise since he performed well at the Senior Bowl. He also has proven he has speed and athleticism. He shows the body control, smooth hips and quick feet it takes to press and cover man to man. Wilson seems to be at his best in the clutch. He needs some technique work, and can improve on playing the deep ball. He isn't a killer against the run, but he is not afraid to tackle and is very competitive. Wilson also can contribute as a return man. He is a little smaller than ideal.
3. Kareem Jackson, Alabama, 5-10, 196: He's a good zone corner with ball skills and awareness. Jackson isn't huge, but he is strong, tough and physical. He covers aggressively. He is fundamentally sound and has a feel for the game. A junior who left college early, he helped himself with his workouts.
4. Devin McCourty, Rutgers, 5-11, 193: In addition to being arguably the best special teams player in the draft, McCourty also has the athleticism, toughness and instincts to be a fine cornerback, especially in a zone scheme. He can fly, as evidenced by his 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine. McCourty uses that speed to cover kicks and return them on special teams. He also is an very efficient kick blocker. While he has not been a true shutdown corner, the sum of his package is pretty impressive. His twin brother Jason was a sixth-round pick of the Titans last season.
5. Patrick Robinson, Florida State, 5-11. 190: He has as much cover skill as any corner in the draft, but his instincts are off and he subsequently is an inconsistent performer who makes big plays but also gets beat for big plays. His feet are exceptionally quick, and he is an outstanding athlete. He can play bump and run. Robinson is not much of a hitter, and is not a great finisher. He does not play confidently. He can be a very good special teams player.
6. Dominique Franks, Oklahoma, 5-11, 194: He has a nice combination of athleticism, ball skills and size. Franks is a fluid cover man with pretty good speed. He is at his best with the ball in front of him, which makes him an ideal candidate for zone. He doesn't always cover the deep ball ideally. He is not a very physical player. Franks also is a pretty good punt returner.
7. Kevin Thomas, Southern Cal, 6-0, 192: This is a long, lean cover man with nice hips and feet. Thomas has the body control, speed and athleticism to press and turn and run with a wide receiver. He can go get the football in the air. He is just OK in run support. Thomas has had problems staying healthy so durability is a concern.
8. Jerome Murphy, South Florida, 6-0, 196: He has the height, arm length and jumping ability (38-inch vertical at the combine) to match up with bigger receivers. Murphy also has speed and cover skills. He is an aggressive player who is not afraid to throw his body around. He sometimes makes mental mistakes, especially on downfield throws.
9. Joshua Moore, Kansas State, 5-11, 188: Moore is a very good athlete with the foot quickness and change of direction ability to cover man to man. He is quicker than fast, but fast enough. He is not a very physical tackler and could improve his strength.
10. Myron Lewis, Vanderbilt, 6-1, 203: This big, long-armed cornerback would fit in perfectly in a bump and run scheme. Lewis has good athleticism and speed for his size. He has a knack for coming up with big plays at opportune times. He is a solid run defender and good tackler, and some teams are projecting him to safety.
11. Chris Cook, Virginia, 6-2, 212: He is the most gifted cornerback in this class. Physically, he is similar to former Raven Chris McAlister. Cook has size and speed and is an explosive player. He can press or play off. Cook struggled with injuries and academics at Virginia. He also has potential as a safety.
12. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Indiana (Pa.), 6-0, 207: The raw tools are impressive -- he has size, athletic ability, range and quickness. He also is a tough, explosive player. He played safety at times and some teams prefer him at that position. Owusu-Ansah is a fine return man. His upside is excellent, but he is a raw player who may take time to develop. His instincts are not great. There also are concerns that he will have a hard time adjusting to the leap in competition. He has drawn comparisons to Charles Tillman.
13. Walter Thurmond, Oregon, 5-11, 189: He has speed, athleticism and vision but hasn't been able to show much of it after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in September. Thurmond still has not been able to work out. He was a productive player before the injury and considered one of the top corners in the country on the preseason evaluations. He has enough quickness to play in any scheme. He also is a kick returner. He is considered a wild-card in the draft.
14. Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest, 5-11, 192: After running a 4.37 40-yard dash at the combine, Ghee's stock climbed. He plays fast and he is athletic. He also has decent size. He often doesn't play as well as his skills would suggest, however. He sometimes gets out of position and he blows coverages. He has the ability to hit, and subsequently is considered by some as a safety prospect.
15. David Pender, Purdue, 6-0, 180: He has the height and speed (he ran a 4.37 40 at the combine) to be a fine bump and run player. Pender was an outstanding track athlete in high school and has developed into a decent football player. He is not a physical player and needs to beef up. He is not a very instinctive corner. His technique is lacking and his backpedal could be improved.
16. Alterraun Verner, UCLA, 5-10, 189: He reads the offense well and can make plays on the ball. He was highly productive at UCLA and has a knack for doing what he needs to do. Verner has quick feet. He lacks the deep speed to stick with elite receivers in man to man and is best suited for a zone scheme. He is very competitive and he's a leader.
17. Sherrick McManis, Northwestern, 5-11, 195: He has not been able to run for NFL scouts after pulling a hamstring at the East-West Shrine game, so he has fallen off the radar a bit. There also are some concerns about his durability. But McManis could be a steal for a team that plays a zone scheme. He was a productive player at Northwestern over time with toughness, instincts, intelligence and ball skills. He plays with an edge. Some teams view him as a potential free safety. He probably does not have the speed and coverage skills to play well in a man-to-man system. McManis also can return kicks.
18. Amari Spievey, Iowa, 5-11, 195: As a pure cover man, Spievey is only adequate. But he can be a very good zone corner. He plays aggressively and is tough in run support. He also can be a special teams contributor.
19. Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State, 5-11, 195: This gifted corner combines good size with good athleticism. He also has short area quickness and the ability to mirror receivers. He is an inconsistent tackler. His stock has been in a downward spiral since he was suspended from the Cotton Bowl for missing curfew. Cox didn't help himself at the combine, where he ran a 4.58 40-yard dash. He has excellent ability as a kick return man.
20. Javier Arenas, Alabama, 5-8, 197: He might not be a great every-down corner, but he could be an outstanding nickel player and special teams contributor. Arenas lacks to size and speed to match up with receivers lined up outside, but he has the quickness, instinct and toughness to cover slot receivers. He is a physical tackler and good blitzer. As a punt returner, he has been prolific.
21. Trevard Lindley, Kentucky, 5-11, 183: He worked out better than he played, but Lindley has good quickness and some cover skills. He plays the ball well in front of him, but not so well over the top. He is more of a finesse cornerback.
22. Donovan Warren, Michigan, 5-11, 193: He ran a 4.62 40-yard dash at the combine, and his lack of speed limits the type of scheme he can play in. Warren has decent size and is aware in coverage. He does not play the ball particularly well, and his technique can get sloppy. He could be moved to safety. He is the godson of former Bears safety Mark Carrier.
23. Nolan Carroll, Maryland, 5-11, 204: He helped himself with a solid workout at his pro day. This former wide receiver has not played a lot because of injuries, and scouts are concerned about him staying healthy. He does have the raw tools to be a fine developmental prospect, but he has a long way to go.
24. Syd'Quan Thompson, California, 5-9, 186: He doesn't have ideal size or speed, but he gets the job done in games. He is very efficient and instinctive and he plays hard. Thompson needs to play in a zone scheme, and even playing zone, he may be best suited as a nickel corner.
25. A.J. Jefferson, Fresno State, 6-0, 193: He jumped 44 inches vertically and ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine to get on the map. But the thing he does best in football is return kicks. His instincts and technique as a cornerback are not as good as you'd like them to be. He has considerable potential.
26. Walter McFadden, Auburn, 5-11, 181: A productive college player, McFadden has excellent ball skills and a good feel for when to break. He had a nice workout at his pro day, including a 4.40 40-yard dash. He is thin and could use some bulk, especially if he is going to contribute much in run support.
27. Josh Pinkard, Southern Cal, 6-1, 214: This is a very good player who has had three anterior cruciate injuries. He is athletic and instinctive. He's a good hitter. His speed is average. Pinkard is big enough and tough enough to make a good safety if a team chooses to play him there.
28. Benjamin Burney, Colorado, 5-11, 202: He ran a 4.38 and vertical-jumped 39 inches at his pro day and his stock has risen. His athleticism is obvious in his play, but he is neither instinctive nor physical. In his college career he has had a hard time staying healthy, and he has been shuttled between safety and cornerback.
29. R.J. Stanford, Utah, 5-10, 183: This former running back has enough size, speed and quickness to make it as a developmental corner/special teams player. He could use some muscle, and is not the most physical tackler.
dpompei@tribune.com
-----
To see more of the Chicago Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.chicagotribune.com.
Copyright (c) 2010, Chicago Tribune
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
A service of YellowBrix, Inc.
By Dan Pompei, Chicago Tribune
Apr. 21--12th in a series exploring the April 22-24 NFL draft.
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/yb/143968002
This cornerback class is very deep, which is very unusual. About 11 corners have third-round grades. That could mean teams drafting corners in the fourth and fifth rounds will get exceptional values.
1. Joe Haden, Florida, 5-11, 193: He looked like a top 15 pick until he ran a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. He recovered with a 4.43 at Florida's pro day, and his play speed seems good enough. But he now is seen as something less than an elite athlete and he might not be drafted quite as high as the original projection. Haden has pretty good cover skills -- he is aware in zone and has quickness to stay with receivers in man. He can play the ball in the air. He is a willing tackler. Haden was a high school quarterback and was very productive at corner for Florida. He is not a tall corner. His best spot might be on a Cover Two team.
2. Kyle Wilson, Boise State, 5-10, 194: His stock has been on the rise since he performed well at the Senior Bowl. He also has proven he has speed and athleticism. He shows the body control, smooth hips and quick feet it takes to press and cover man to man. Wilson seems to be at his best in the clutch. He needs some technique work, and can improve on playing the deep ball. He isn't a killer against the run, but he is not afraid to tackle and is very competitive. Wilson also can contribute as a return man. He is a little smaller than ideal.
3. Kareem Jackson, Alabama, 5-10, 196: He's a good zone corner with ball skills and awareness. Jackson isn't huge, but he is strong, tough and physical. He covers aggressively. He is fundamentally sound and has a feel for the game. A junior who left college early, he helped himself with his workouts.
4. Devin McCourty, Rutgers, 5-11, 193: In addition to being arguably the best special teams player in the draft, McCourty also has the athleticism, toughness and instincts to be a fine cornerback, especially in a zone scheme. He can fly, as evidenced by his 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine. McCourty uses that speed to cover kicks and return them on special teams. He also is an very efficient kick blocker. While he has not been a true shutdown corner, the sum of his package is pretty impressive. His twin brother Jason was a sixth-round pick of the Titans last season.
5. Patrick Robinson, Florida State, 5-11. 190: He has as much cover skill as any corner in the draft, but his instincts are off and he subsequently is an inconsistent performer who makes big plays but also gets beat for big plays. His feet are exceptionally quick, and he is an outstanding athlete. He can play bump and run. Robinson is not much of a hitter, and is not a great finisher. He does not play confidently. He can be a very good special teams player.
6. Dominique Franks, Oklahoma, 5-11, 194: He has a nice combination of athleticism, ball skills and size. Franks is a fluid cover man with pretty good speed. He is at his best with the ball in front of him, which makes him an ideal candidate for zone. He doesn't always cover the deep ball ideally. He is not a very physical player. Franks also is a pretty good punt returner.
7. Kevin Thomas, Southern Cal, 6-0, 192: This is a long, lean cover man with nice hips and feet. Thomas has the body control, speed and athleticism to press and turn and run with a wide receiver. He can go get the football in the air. He is just OK in run support. Thomas has had problems staying healthy so durability is a concern.
8. Jerome Murphy, South Florida, 6-0, 196: He has the height, arm length and jumping ability (38-inch vertical at the combine) to match up with bigger receivers. Murphy also has speed and cover skills. He is an aggressive player who is not afraid to throw his body around. He sometimes makes mental mistakes, especially on downfield throws.
9. Joshua Moore, Kansas State, 5-11, 188: Moore is a very good athlete with the foot quickness and change of direction ability to cover man to man. He is quicker than fast, but fast enough. He is not a very physical tackler and could improve his strength.
10. Myron Lewis, Vanderbilt, 6-1, 203: This big, long-armed cornerback would fit in perfectly in a bump and run scheme. Lewis has good athleticism and speed for his size. He has a knack for coming up with big plays at opportune times. He is a solid run defender and good tackler, and some teams are projecting him to safety.
11. Chris Cook, Virginia, 6-2, 212: He is the most gifted cornerback in this class. Physically, he is similar to former Raven Chris McAlister. Cook has size and speed and is an explosive player. He can press or play off. Cook struggled with injuries and academics at Virginia. He also has potential as a safety.
12. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Indiana (Pa.), 6-0, 207: The raw tools are impressive -- he has size, athletic ability, range and quickness. He also is a tough, explosive player. He played safety at times and some teams prefer him at that position. Owusu-Ansah is a fine return man. His upside is excellent, but he is a raw player who may take time to develop. His instincts are not great. There also are concerns that he will have a hard time adjusting to the leap in competition. He has drawn comparisons to Charles Tillman.
13. Walter Thurmond, Oregon, 5-11, 189: He has speed, athleticism and vision but hasn't been able to show much of it after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in September. Thurmond still has not been able to work out. He was a productive player before the injury and considered one of the top corners in the country on the preseason evaluations. He has enough quickness to play in any scheme. He also is a kick returner. He is considered a wild-card in the draft.
14. Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest, 5-11, 192: After running a 4.37 40-yard dash at the combine, Ghee's stock climbed. He plays fast and he is athletic. He also has decent size. He often doesn't play as well as his skills would suggest, however. He sometimes gets out of position and he blows coverages. He has the ability to hit, and subsequently is considered by some as a safety prospect.
15. David Pender, Purdue, 6-0, 180: He has the height and speed (he ran a 4.37 40 at the combine) to be a fine bump and run player. Pender was an outstanding track athlete in high school and has developed into a decent football player. He is not a physical player and needs to beef up. He is not a very instinctive corner. His technique is lacking and his backpedal could be improved.
16. Alterraun Verner, UCLA, 5-10, 189: He reads the offense well and can make plays on the ball. He was highly productive at UCLA and has a knack for doing what he needs to do. Verner has quick feet. He lacks the deep speed to stick with elite receivers in man to man and is best suited for a zone scheme. He is very competitive and he's a leader.
17. Sherrick McManis, Northwestern, 5-11, 195: He has not been able to run for NFL scouts after pulling a hamstring at the East-West Shrine game, so he has fallen off the radar a bit. There also are some concerns about his durability. But McManis could be a steal for a team that plays a zone scheme. He was a productive player at Northwestern over time with toughness, instincts, intelligence and ball skills. He plays with an edge. Some teams view him as a potential free safety. He probably does not have the speed and coverage skills to play well in a man-to-man system. McManis also can return kicks.
18. Amari Spievey, Iowa, 5-11, 195: As a pure cover man, Spievey is only adequate. But he can be a very good zone corner. He plays aggressively and is tough in run support. He also can be a special teams contributor.
19. Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State, 5-11, 195: This gifted corner combines good size with good athleticism. He also has short area quickness and the ability to mirror receivers. He is an inconsistent tackler. His stock has been in a downward spiral since he was suspended from the Cotton Bowl for missing curfew. Cox didn't help himself at the combine, where he ran a 4.58 40-yard dash. He has excellent ability as a kick return man.
20. Javier Arenas, Alabama, 5-8, 197: He might not be a great every-down corner, but he could be an outstanding nickel player and special teams contributor. Arenas lacks to size and speed to match up with receivers lined up outside, but he has the quickness, instinct and toughness to cover slot receivers. He is a physical tackler and good blitzer. As a punt returner, he has been prolific.
21. Trevard Lindley, Kentucky, 5-11, 183: He worked out better than he played, but Lindley has good quickness and some cover skills. He plays the ball well in front of him, but not so well over the top. He is more of a finesse cornerback.
22. Donovan Warren, Michigan, 5-11, 193: He ran a 4.62 40-yard dash at the combine, and his lack of speed limits the type of scheme he can play in. Warren has decent size and is aware in coverage. He does not play the ball particularly well, and his technique can get sloppy. He could be moved to safety. He is the godson of former Bears safety Mark Carrier.
23. Nolan Carroll, Maryland, 5-11, 204: He helped himself with a solid workout at his pro day. This former wide receiver has not played a lot because of injuries, and scouts are concerned about him staying healthy. He does have the raw tools to be a fine developmental prospect, but he has a long way to go.
24. Syd'Quan Thompson, California, 5-9, 186: He doesn't have ideal size or speed, but he gets the job done in games. He is very efficient and instinctive and he plays hard. Thompson needs to play in a zone scheme, and even playing zone, he may be best suited as a nickel corner.
25. A.J. Jefferson, Fresno State, 6-0, 193: He jumped 44 inches vertically and ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine to get on the map. But the thing he does best in football is return kicks. His instincts and technique as a cornerback are not as good as you'd like them to be. He has considerable potential.
26. Walter McFadden, Auburn, 5-11, 181: A productive college player, McFadden has excellent ball skills and a good feel for when to break. He had a nice workout at his pro day, including a 4.40 40-yard dash. He is thin and could use some bulk, especially if he is going to contribute much in run support.
27. Josh Pinkard, Southern Cal, 6-1, 214: This is a very good player who has had three anterior cruciate injuries. He is athletic and instinctive. He's a good hitter. His speed is average. Pinkard is big enough and tough enough to make a good safety if a team chooses to play him there.
28. Benjamin Burney, Colorado, 5-11, 202: He ran a 4.38 and vertical-jumped 39 inches at his pro day and his stock has risen. His athleticism is obvious in his play, but he is neither instinctive nor physical. In his college career he has had a hard time staying healthy, and he has been shuttled between safety and cornerback.
29. R.J. Stanford, Utah, 5-10, 183: This former running back has enough size, speed and quickness to make it as a developmental corner/special teams player. He could use some muscle, and is not the most physical tackler.
dpompei@tribune.com
-----
To see more of the Chicago Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.chicagotribune.com.
Copyright (c) 2010, Chicago Tribune
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
A service of YellowBrix, Inc.
