Originally Posted by saintsfan1976
(Post 588792)
From my ESPN insider:
1. Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
Dennard lacks the elite speed of some other cornerbacks, but he is the most complete guy at the position in terms of his skill set. I love his physicality and experience (three-year starter at MSU), and he got his hands on 20 passes, including 10 interceptions, in his career. Most importantly, he played against big-time competition in the Big Ten. He's not a 4.4-40 guy (4.51 at the combine), but he's got enough speed to stay with receivers, and I really like how he presses. He plays the run well and can recognize pattern combinations. He's going to be a solid player and has good size (5-foot-11, 199 pounds), although his injury history is a little bit of a concern.
2. Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
Gilbert has a ton of natural ability, and there isn't a lot separating him from being No. 1 on this list. He's got range and is a factor in the return game (six career return TDs), and I love his length (33 1/8-inch arms) and speed (4.37 40-yard dash). Most importantly, he's a natural athlete and displays excellent hip flexion and acceleration. My biggest issue with him is his tackling. He doesn't wrap up well and misses a lot of tackles as a result. Like other players with a ton of natural ability, he can also be lax with his technique. He's better in off coverage than press, but he does have the speed to recover if he gets beaten.
3. Bradley Roby, Ohio State
Roby is probably the cornerback with the most natural ability in this class. He's got great quick-twitch ability and long speed (4.39 40) and OK ball skills (36 passes defensed in his career, but only eight INTs). Watching him on tape, I like his form tackling; he's not afraid to get up near the line of scrimmage and play the run. He's a versatile corner who can succeed in both man and off coverage. Roby definitely needs to work on his focus and technique, but if he does, he could end up moving up this list when we look back in a couple of years.
If TCU's Jason Verrett were a few inches taller, he might be on top of this list.
4. Jason Verrett, TCU
The knock on Verrett is that he's a bit undersized (5-9, 189), but I like this kid's toughness. If he were a couple of inches taller, he'd likely be in the discussion for the No. 1 spot on this list. Right now, I think he's a perfect fit in the slot, because he has the flexibility and foot quickness to keep up with receivers such as Percy Harvin, but also the strength to match up against an Anquan Boldin. Verrett is also very athletic, as displayed by a 39-inch vertical leap, 128-inch broad jump and 6.69-second three-cone drill at the combine. He's better in off-man than bump coverage and has good ball skills. He also has great discipline, which is key for a slot corner, and is very good -- and willing -- in run support.
5. Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State
Joyner is a tough player with really good closing speed and vision. Undersized at 5-8, 184, he should be strictly a nickel corner. The bigger question is going to be: Can he hold up against the run? He's a very competitive CB with good vision and instincts but is better against quicker receivers than seam-stretching tight ends. I love the fact that he showed up big in big-time games and was a galvanizing force for that FSU defense on its run to a national championship.
Honorable mention
Pierre Desir, Lindenwood
The inaugural Cliff Harris Award winner (best small-school defensive player), I think Desir has the potential to be a real steal in the middle rounds. With 25 interceptions in his college career and 52 passes defensed, he clearly has terrific ball skills. The level of competition he faced is a concern, along with the fact that he mostly played off coverage and let his athleticism dominate. But he has size (6-1, 198), and you simply can't teach his ability to take the ball away. One opposing coach I spoke with couldn't stop singing Desir's praises and reassured me that Desir could handle the jump in competition level. Desir could be a real difference-maker from late Day 2 or early Day 3 of the draft.
Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Nebraska
A converted wideout, Jean-Baptiste has the length (6-3, 32 3/8-inch arms) and athleticism that you look for in a corner for today's NFL. He lacks long speed (4.61 40) but can compensate for that with that length. He's still new to the position, so he'll need a little while to learn the concepts and angles. I think he can be a successful press corner on the outside but has the potential to move inside as well.
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