Top 10 CB Prospects | Football Jabber

NFL Draft, National Football League

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The cornerback class, unlike most other classes this year, is filled with small school prospects. Between amazing combines and small school scouting, five of my top 15 CBs are from small schools. I find that as technology is the game increases and becomes more widespread, less of these small school gems slip through the cracks.

1) Leodis McKelvin, Troy

McKelvin is the closest thing to a complete corner in this draft. Between his burst and reactionary abilities, he can disrupt passing and make plays that few corners in the draft can make. Pair that with the fact that he is one of the better return men available this year, McKelvin should be a top 10 choice.

2) Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State

I don’t believe that there is any one player who people are so hot and cold on more than Rodgers-Cromartie. Over the past two months, I’ve heard comments such as; “project player”, “developmental”, “future hall-of-famer”, “overrated”, “best defensive back available” and finally “product of misplaced hype”. Dallas loves DRC as evidenced by their leaked draft board and with his rare combination of blazing speed and size, why not? Hype or not, DRC won’t last to the bottom half of the first round.

3) Aqib Talib, Kansas

A victim of good competition, I think Talib cracks the top 10 in last year’s draft and isn’t receiving the type of fanfare of McKelvin, DRC or even Mike Jenkins. I think Talib is the best physical corner in the draft and at 6′2″ 205, it isn’t hard to see why. If selected by the right team, don’t be surprised to see Talib emerge as the best corner in the draft.

4) Mike Jenkins, South Florida

Once considered the best corner available in the draft, Mike Jenkins suffered a slight fall due personal issues (reports of fighting outside of a bar) and being overshadowed by DRC at the combine. Jenkins and college teammate Trae Williams formed one of the scariest CB duos in college football last year. At times, Jenkins played well enough to be considered a shutdown corner. However, he proved to be inconsistent at times. The talent is there for sure, he won’t escape the first round.

5) Antoine Cason, Arizona

Cason is probably the most battle proven CB available playing in the pass happy Pac-10 with reasonable success. It is likely you won’t find a better tackle at the CB position than Cason outside of possibly Reggie Smith. Reliable, smart and solid ball skills. Not as high of upside as some CBs but Cason has a higher floor than any of the top 5.

6) Tracy Porter, Indiana

Porter is hailed as being a quality athlete who can go stride-for-stride with your burner receiver. He has premium ball skills and uses his agility to make outstanding plays. The knock on him is that he is not physical enough to get a jam on many receivers and can be out-bodied on many balls by a physical receiver.

7) Reggie Smith, Oklahoma

Smith has the ability and experience to play safety as well so as you’d expect, Smith isn’t going to be faster than most of the CBs in the class. That being said, his physicality and ball skills are both top-notch. He is solid in pass coverage but may lack the burst to run with NFL receivers. His versatility will probably be his calling card in the NFL.

8 ) Justin King, Penn State

Speed and agility are what teams are keying on if they are scouting King. He won’t lose many races against your receivers and can jump well to make plays on the ball. Big receivers gave him problems in college and will continue to do so in the NFL.

9) Terrell Thomas, USC

What stands out of me with regards to Thomas is his ability to support on run defense. His size and strength lend weight his abilities as a great cover 2 corner.

10) Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech

Despite what his size may tell you, Flowers is an aggressive corner always looking for the big hit/play. However, he tends to get burned occasionally because of this whether he misses the ball or loses a tackle. His speed isn’t great but his football smarts are great. A good corner for zone coverage.

Close to the cut:

Chevis Jackson, LSU
Antwaun Molden, Eastern Kentucky
Terrence Wheatley, Colorado
Trae Williams, South Florida
Patrick Lee, Auburn
Charles Godfrey, Iowa

tag: NFL, 2008 NFL Draft, Draft Prospects, Cornerback, footballjabber.com

Tjford @ April 21, 2008