BJD7642

This is an unusually strong class with top-end talent and decent depth. Cornerback is the second-strongest position in the draft after wide receiver. However, as well-stocked as it is, this group probably won't produce a top five pick.

Position strength (Scale of 1-10, with 10 being best): 9


First-round picks

1. Dunta Robinson; South Carolina, 5-11, 186, 4.34*. A physical, prolific playmaker who can play press coverage and also turn and run with receivers. Shows great body control. Answered concerns about his speed at the Combine, where he tied for the second-fastest 40 among defensive backs. Is quick as he is fast; his 3.75 in the 20-yard short shuttle was No. 1 among DBs. Lacks ideal size.


2. DeAngelo Hall; Virginia Tech, 5-10, 202, 4.34. A smooth athlete who has a knack for making plays on the ball. Strong in man-to-man coverage. Comes out of breaks quickly. Shows outstanding return skills. Has experience as a receiver. Lacks ideal height and isn't as aggressive as he could be. Is continuing to develop.


3. Will Poole; USC, 5-10, 194, 4.65. Is aggressive and instinctive and holds up well in every area. Would be an excellent fit in a cover 2 scheme. Has a good feel for zones. Reads quarterbacks well. Doesn't give up many big plays. Is a sound tackler. Lacks top-end speed and quickness. Is shorter than scouts prefer.


4. Chris Gamble; Ohio State, 6-1, 196, 4.53. Is raw, in part because he split time as a receiver before last season. Needs to work on his technique. Shows questionable instincts. Has rare height for the position. Was thought to have rare speed but ran in the 4.5s at Ohio State's pro day. Can press or play off the line. Is lackadaisical against the run. Flashes some skills as a return man.



Second-round picks

5. Ricardo Colclough; Tusculum, 5-11, 194, 4.49. A gifted athlete who played at a low level of competition. Is physical with quick closing burst. Backpedals well and shows good but not great speed. Is raw but has great potential. Also stands out as a punt returner.


6. Ahmad Carroll; Arkansas, 5-10, 195, 4.34. Is short but athletic. Presses and can run with anyone. Shows quick feet and is explosive and willing to deliver big hits. Lacks great ball skills and needs to improve technique.


7. Keith Smith; McNeese State, 6-0, 200, 4.49. A prolific playmaker who defends the ball well. Is athletic with a good frame for the position. Displays quick feet, runs well enough and shows good cover skills. Is a willing tackler but not necessarily a punishing hitter. Didn't face top competition in college.


8. Shawntae Spencer; Pittsburgh, 6-1, 170, 4.48. A tall, fiery competitor who uses his hands well and makes plays on the ball. Is more comfortable in zone coverage than man-to-man. Answered some questions by running a sub-4.5 40. Is raw and lacks ideal bulk.



Third-round picks

9. Joey Thomas; Montana State, 6-1, 194, 4.44. A big corner with good man-to-man skills. Has long arms and is one of the most athletic corners in the class. Technique needs much work. Isn't accustomed to defending NFL-caliber receivers.


10. Derrick Strait; Oklahoma, 5-11, 198, 4.52. More of a football player than a pure athlete. Has great instincts and a feel for the game. Is more quick than fast. Knows how to compensate for his lack of speed. Would fit well in a cover 2 scheme. Isn't as physical as he could be.


11. Jeremy LeSueur; Michigan, 6-0, 197, 4.53. Size and long arms allow him to match up with bigger receivers. Brings a physical style and is best suited to play zone. Is a bit tight in the hips for man-to-man. Some see him as a safety. Doesn't close on the ball well. Might lack the speed to make up for lost ground.


12. Keiwan Ratliff; Florida, 5-10, 193, 4.60. Is a smart, instinctive ballhawk. Takes some chances and shows great hands as a playmaker. Lacks top-end speed and great cover skills. Isn't overly physical. Has some value in the return game.


13. Nathan Vasher; Texas, 5-10, 177, 4.65. Plays bigger than his size and has decent speed. Is tough and explosive, with good ball skills. Senior Bowl performance hurt his stock. Works better in man-to-man than zone. Can provide help as a returner.


14. Chris Thompson; Nicholls State, 6-0, 189, 4.50. Is tall with enough speed and athleticism. Uses his hands well to make plays. Stood out at the Blue-Gray Game practices. Competes hard but is a bit raw.


15. Dexter Wynn; Colorado State, 5-9, 175, 4.50. Lacks size but has great quickness and explosiveness. Had highest vertical jump (39 inches) among corners at the Combine. Is instinctive and shows good ball skills. Plays with toughness. Can stick with receivers man-to-man. Excels as a returner.



Day 2 picks

16. Bruce Thornton; Georgia, 5-10, 197, 4.45. A converted running back who still is learning the position. Is athletic and has upside. Shows toughness, vision and awareness. Plays zone better than man-to-man. Doesn't back away as a tackler. Is more quick than fast.


17. Greg Brooks; Southern Mississippi, 5-10, 173, 4.45. Is a lightweight but has good cover skills. Makes up ground in a hurry. Isn't much of a run defender and needs to get stronger.


18. Von Hutchins; Mississippi, 5-10, 185, 4.50. Has quick feet and decent speed. Plays well in zone coverage and is technically sound. Plays bigger than his size. Is a former safety who still has plenty to learn about his new position. Durability is a concern.


19. Rich Gardner; Penn State, 5-11, 191, 4.49. A former walk-on who is a self-made player. Shows decent athleticism and enough speed. Holds up well in every area but doesn't stand out in any. Doesn't make many plays on the ball but is smart and aggressive.


20. Jernaro Gilford; BYU, 6-1, 185, 4.60. Is tall and has decent speed but lacks ideal quickness in transition. Works best as a press corner. Had a mediocre senior season after playing better in previous years.


21. Jeff Shoate; San Diego State, 5-10, 189, 4.53. Shows great short-area quickness but lacks ideal speed. Is physical with a good feel for the game. Lacks great ball skills and is better-suited for zone coverage.


22. Jabari Greer; Tennessee, 5-10, 178, 4.42. Shows a smooth backpedal and a quick burst. Accelerates quickly. Has trouble locating the ball and adjusting to it. Is undersized but has long arms. Was a track man at Tennessee.


23. Christian Morton; Illinois, 6-0, 179, 4.50. Was highly regarded early in his college career, but his stock dropped the past two seasons. Is tall and has long arms but lacks a feel for the game. Shows good burst and transition speed. Uses poor technique and does not relish contact.


24. Vontez Duff; Notre Dame, 5-11, 198, 4.53. An overachiever who is instinctive and more quick than fast. Gets beat over the top and has trouble catching up. Can play either man-to-man or zone. Fills the hole and is a willing tackler against the run. Shows good return skills.


25. Marcell Allmond; USC, 6-0, 209, 4.48. Brings a physical style and gets good jams on receivers. A big corner who is a bit stiff in coverage. Doesn't have great ball awareness or ideal catchup speed. Could end up at safety. Durability and character are concerns.


26. Stanford Samuels; Florida State, 5-10, 193, 4.61. An instinctive playmaker who understands coverages. Reads quarterbacks well but lacks ideal speed and size.


27. Rufus Brown; Florida State, 5-9, 187, 4.43. Often gets in position to make plays but is undersized and doesn't have great speed or quickness. Shows fluid hips in man-to-man coverage. Sometimes struggles to find the ball. Takes some chances in coverage and bites on double-moves.


Others: Roc Alexander, Washington, 5-11, 185; Kelvin Millhouse, Hawaii, 6-1, 198; Michael Waddell, North Carolina, 5-11, 187; Randy Jordan, Kansas State, 6-1, 178; Randall Gay, LSU, 5-11, 177; Jacques Reeves, Purdue, 5-11, 186; Greg Goldenu, N.C. State, 5-10, 183.


* 40-yard time


Senior writer Dan Pompei covers the NFL for Sporting News. Email him at pompei@sportingnews.com.

I cant see it falling like that but would really like it.