Rating: (0 votes - average)

By James Varney, The Times-Picayune

When cornerback Prince Amukamara -- a superb football player with the Nebraska pedigree to back it up -- stepped to the microphone at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, it became immediately clear what he was looking at in this week's draft.

"Are you better than LSU's Patrick Peterson?" came the first question.

"That's a good question," Amukamara replied. "I guess we'll find out."

It's already known that Amukarama and Peterson are genuine talents and are expected to be top picks Thursday night, leading a group of three or four cornerbacks who could go in the first round.

"After the big two, there is a real drop-off," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said in a conference call. "There are some good nickel guys."

In any event, neither of those two projected stars will be around when the Saints pick at No. 24. And Kiper's assessment, made some weeks ago, has softened as a couple of cornerbacks' stock has risen as the draft approaches.

Full article below.
Nebraska's Prince Amukamara the next best prospect at cornerback in 2011 NFL draft | NOLA.com