For me I think that’s actually cornerback. How many of the best corners of the last 20 years were top 15 picks? Mahomes was, Rothlisberger was, Peyton, Rivers, Eli, Stafford, Ryan, Flacco, Luck, Wentz, Newton, Cutler, Herbert, Watson. Now obviously there are exceptions... Dak, Brady Romo. But how many of the best corners of the last 20 years were taken that high? Not Asomugha. Not Sherman. Not Josh Norman or Aqib Talib or Marcus Peters or Asante Samuel or Brandon Flowers or Brandon Browner or Antoine Winfield or Ronde Barber, etc...
There are a few that were, Jaelen Ramsey of course, and Revis just made it in at pick 14. But top CB prospects seem to bust in droves every year, and it ends up being third and fifth round picks that conquer the mountain. And then there’s the acumen of the position, the NFL adjustment. corner seems to be by far the most difficult position to excel in year 1, as we’ve had something like 4 rookie pro bowl corners since 2003. On the flip side, 2012 alone had 3 rookie pro bowl QBs.
And think about the turnover of the position. Philly seems to have a whole new CB room every other year. When was the last time Dallas signed a CB they drafted to a big second contract to continue being the starter? Whereas guys like Awuzie and Claiborne get drafted to be the guy and while they may have played well enough to maintain , they then get cycled out just the same. It’s a very violation position.
