SI's top 10 CBs

[Captain Morgan]

http://nfl.si.com/2014/04/15/2014-nfl-draft-position-rankings-cornerbacks-darqueze-dennard-justin-gilbert/

 

dennard and gilbert are the top 2, of course

 

 

 

 

3. Jason Verrett, TCU: Oh, but for another couple inches of height. That (and offseason shoulder surgery) is really all that is standing between the 5-foot-9 Verrett and being a lock in the top 20. Even though he may be undersized by NFL standards, Verrett thrived at TCU despite matching up with bigger receivers.

“I’ve been challenged with receivers that have been over 6-foot my whole college career,” he said. “I played against Odell Beckham, I played against Mike Davis, Eric Ward, Antwan Goodley … I played against a lot of good receivers in college that were over 6-foot. I feel like I’m this height for a reason, but I can compete with the best.”

He may have to begin showing his wares as a slot corner at the next level, though it is far from out of the question that a defensive coordinator tries out Verrett as a top-two guy. Look no further than Verrett’s stats for evidence of his ball-hawking abilities: 22 pass break-ups in 2012, 14 more in ’13, plus nine career picks.

Draft projection: Late Round 1

4. Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State: Size is even more of an issue here — Joyner stands 5-foot-8, one inch shorter than Verrett. Because of that, he too is seen mostly as a slot cornerback, though he also spent two of his Florida State seasons starting at safety. The team which drafts him then may envision Joyner in a Tyrann Mathieu-like hybrid role, playing safety on early downs and dropping into the slot against three-receiver looks.

The versatility should be a boost for Joyner’s draft stock come May.

Draft projection: Round 2

MORE COVERAGE: SI64: Our complete list of the top 64 prospects in 2014 NFL draft

5. Marcus Roberson, Florida: The raw traits may not be there in comparison to some others in this class, but Roberson very much knows how to play his position. He showed off more during 2012 (14 pass deflections, three interceptions) than during an injury-plagued, inconsistent 2013. The Roberson of 2012, though, might be worthy of a first-round pick, and he’s definitely capable of holding his own in the NFL.

The injury woes will be a concern for NFL teams: Roberson missed five games last season with various ailments. At the 4.61 40 time he ran at the combine, Roberson does not have the quickness to make up for playing at less than 100 percent. But when he’s on, he can frustrate the heck out of an opposing receiver.

Draft projection: Round 2

6. Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech: Just how high can Fuller climb? Once a rather clear Day 2 candidate, Fuller’s work at the combine (4.49 40, 4.19 short shuttle, 128-inch broad jump) put to rest lingering concerns over his health — the Virginia Tech product needed sports hernia surgery in November, then sat out the Senior Bowl while rehabbing.

Now that he has made his way back on the field, Fuller has climbed into the Round 1 mix, even surpassing every prospect but possibly Gilbert in some eyes.

Draft projection: Late Round 1-Round 2

7. Bradley Roby, Ohio State: NFL teams are leery of players they feel they may have to motivate. Roby falls under that umbrella following a tough 2013, one that saw him regress from the dominant form he showed in 2012. He was not quite as bad as his reputation now tells — a disastrous early matchup with Wisconsin’s Jared Abbrederis sent his stock reeling. But can he rediscover his play from two years ago?

“Me not playing that first game, my mindset in camp wasn’t where it should have been,” said Roby of his early 2013 issues (he was suspended for Ohio State’s opener). “I knew I wasn’t playing the first game, so I might have maybe not gotten as many reps as I normally would have. At corner, reps is everything — training your eyes, looking at the right places all the time, all those type of things. Kind of got away from that. Kind of undisciplined type of play I was playing at the beginning of the season.”

Draft projection: Late Round 1-Round 2.

8. Bashaud Breeland, Clemson: Breeland may have benefited from another year at Clemson, but he nonetheless figures to be gone by sometime on Day 2. He projects, at least early in his career, as a very solid No. 2 or No. 3 cornerback, capable of matching up with secondary receivers. That is especially true if he lands somewhere that allows him to play bump-and-run coverage. He was at his best for the Tigers when pressing at the line, then using his athleticism to turn and track.

Draft projection: Round 2-3

9. Antone Exum, Virginia Tech: Another Hokies cornerback, another list of injury concerns. Exum blew out his knee playing pick-up basketball in January of 2013, then struggled with a bum ankle once he made it back late in the year. As a result, NFL GMs eyeing Exum have to rely on his 2012 tape to tell the story.

The 6-0, 213-pounder turned in a 4.59 40 at the combine, offering up evidence in his workout there that he will be ready to roll for training camp.

Draft projection: Round 3

10. Pierre Desir, Lindenwood: From the small-school ranks comes Desir, a long and lean cornerback at 6-foot-1, 198 pounds with 33-inch arms. Desir’s size alone will earn him a shot in the NFL, though he has earned that opportunity with his play. Quarterbacks avoided Desir with gusto, a nod to his shutdown abilities. He did not open the door for those QBs at all, either, moving his feet well to stay with his assigned receiver.

There is a lot to like here, particularly if Desir can become more of a physically imposing defensive back. In the meantime, he will rely on his length and speed to get the job done.

Draft projection: Round 3

[C47]

Pierre Desir is WAY too low. Criminally underrated by most. Kid is going to be an absolute steal if he goes in the third.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I know everyone is chomping at the bit for a couple positions but the reality of this draft is no matter what we should be able to get 2-3 first year starters and 2 more quality players that can make waves. I am not really stressing over a single position at this point. I think we are going to simply build a better football team.

[The Huddler]

Two Hokies!!

[The Huddler]

It's simple.. If the corner is finese and is not good at jamming at the line of scrimmage, were not interested.

[nctarheel0619]

Virginia Tech had two top 10 corners and still sucked ass.

[CarolinaNCSU]

Moses/OT in the 1st

Latimer/Matthews/Best WR left in the 2nd

Desir in the 3rd. 

 

Do this, and I'm one happy man 

[FearTheCats]

Virginia Tech had two top 10 corners and still sucked ass.

Both of them barely played half the season.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[The Huddler]

Virginia Tech had two top 10 corners and still sucked ass.

 

We had a good defense. top 10, but out offense was AWEFUL Logan thomas can suck it I hate him.

 

but who is this comming from? cause tech has dominated the ACC until the past few seasons  WITH LOGAN

[Kuech the Sneak]

Verrett is still my favorite corner, if we can come away with him and a tackle in the first two rounds that would be great. God I'm excited for the draft

[frash.exe]

Something tells me Pierre's going to get drafted higher than that based on measurables

[KissMyConverse]

Virginia Tech had two top 10 corners and still sucked ass.

We had a TE playing QB....

What did you expect?

 

 

That being said Fuller is at worst the #3 CB one could argue 1 or 2.... but NOT #6. 

[LinvilleGorge]

Something tells me Pierre's going to get drafted higher than that based on measurables

 

Very possible.  What I don't like is reading multiple sources say that despite his size he plays soft at the line and overall isn't very physical.  I mean, he did grow up playing soccer.  6-1, 200 is great for a CB, but a 4.59 40 isn't.  3rd round sounds about right.

[LinvilleGorge]

We had a good defense. top 10, but out offense was AWEFUL Logan thomas can suck it I hate him.

 

but who is this comming from? cause tech has dominated the ACC until the past few seasons  WITH LOGAN

 

Logan has to be one of the biggest flops I can remember.  A couple of years ago, everyone assumed he was an eventual #1 overall NFL draft pick.  All kinds of physical talent, he's just not a QB.  I wouldn't be shocked if he went undrafted, though some team will probably take a late round flier on him.