NFP Senior Cornerback Breakdown

FROM WES BUNTING:

The National Football Post continues its series on the top senior prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft by looking at this year’s cornerback group. The senior cornerback class lacks much elite talent toward the top end, but it features a lot of depth, especially for teams in need of bigger, more physical defensive backs.

Click HERE to check out the rest of the NFP’s Senior rankings.

Here’s our first look at the senior CB group.

The Top Three

Javier Arenas, Alabama (5-9, 198)

Arenas has gained most of his recognition through his ability on special teams, as he has developed into one of the best return specialists in the nation. He also has the makings of a top cornerback prospect, and I expect him to take his game to another level next season. Arenas is only 5-9, but at nearly 200 pounds he’s a tough, feisty competitor who is very physical in man coverage. He does a nice job getting into receivers off the line and staying in their back pocket in and out of their breaks. He’s a fluid, coordinated athlete who can change directions on a dime and close quickly on the football. He had only one interception in 2008 but also broke up seven passes and did a great job sticking his head in against the run game and making tackles on runs toward his side. Arenas still lacks ideal instincts and technique, but I think with another year of seasoning you can expect a major improvement in all mental areas of his game. The tools are there for him to become as dominant a cornerback as he is a punt returner.

Trevard Lindley, Kentucky (6-0 178)

Lindley received a second-round evaluation from the NFL advisory committee for the 2009 draft but elected to come back in an effort to boost his stock as a senior. Lindley, a 2008 second team all-American, led the SEC last season in passes defended per game (1.15) and also registered four interceptions and 11 pass break-ups. He’s a tall, long-armed corner who demonstrates good fluidity and body control in and out of his breaks. He has a low, clean backpedal, which allows him to consistently burst out of his drop and get after the football. The only concern I have with him right now is his frail frame, which could cause him to struggle in press coverage at the next level. He’s listed at only 178 pounds and needs to add more girth and strength, especially to his upper body. But he certainly possesses the frame to do so, and with another impressive season in the SEC, Lindley will likely be in the mix for the top cornerback spot in the 2010 draft.

Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest (6-0, 191)

Ghee has been one of the more intriguing cornerbacks in the country for me over the past two seasons. He consistently flashed on tape every time I scouted former Wake Forest corner Alphonso Smith. Ghee is a big, physical player who showcases a rare first step and closing speed for a corner his size. He has the ability to flip his hips and transition cleanly out of his backpedal, but it’s his make-up speed that consistently puts him in position to get after the ball. He finished the 2008 season with seven pass break-ups and uses his size, length and range to quickly close on the play. He still gets a bit high when asked to change directions and will struggle at times getting out of his breaks. But he has the strength and coordination to re-route receivers off the line and has the makings of a physical press corner in the NFL.

The Next Two

Kyle Wilson, Boise State (5-10, 190)

Wilson was another corner who gave considerable thought to entering the 2009 draft after a stellar ‘08 season in which he recorded five interceptions and broke up 10 passes. However, Wilson decided to return to Boise State in an effort to not only increase his draft stock but also improve his technique as a corner. He’s a decent sized athlete who relies on his savvy, footwork and closing speed to make plays on the football. He’s a very coordinated corner in space and does a nice job sinking his hips and bursting out of his drop. Wilson also showcases impressive lateral mobility and knows how to cleanly get out of his breaks and stay with receivers on all levels of the field. Additionally, he’s a very talented punt returner, and I love corners who double as return men because it further showcases their ability to change directions, stay balanced and get back up to top-end speed quickly, all of which are traits needed at the CB position.

Alterraun Verner, UCLA (5-10, 189)

Verner was the NCAA’s leader in passes defended last year with 20 and combines an explosive first step with instincts and technique to consistently make plays on the football. He has good length for his size and possesses the body control and balance to consistently turn and run with receivers down the field. He displays good straight-line speed, but exhibits a first step that allows him to reach to top speed instantly. However, it’s his instincts and awareness that consistently allow him to turn and find the ball quickly. Verner was given a late-round grade by the NFL advisory committee last year, due in large part to his lack of strength and physicality for the position. Verner is at his best in space and lacks the power needed to re-route NFL-type receivers off the line. If he can add more of a physical element to his game to go with his impressive athletic skill set, he should be headed toward a more lofty grade next April.

The Rest

Syd’Quan Thompson, California (5-9, 187)

An undersized corner who displays impressive footwork and balance in pass coverage.

Stephan Virgil, Virginia Tech (5-11, 189)

A tall, long-armed defender who does a nice job being physical with receivers off the line and tracking the football down the field.

Crezdon Butler, Clemson (6-0, 185)

An intriguing size/speed athlete who’s still a bit raw but has a nose for the ball and consistently makes plays vs. the pass.

Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State (6-1, 195)

A tall, good-looking corner with impressive lateral mobility for his size and is comfortable in both man and zone coverage.

Myron Lewis, Vanderbilt (6-2, 205)

A big, physically intriguing corner who held up well playing opposite all-American corner D.J. Moore in 2008. 

Comments

Add a Comment