Top 5 Cornerbacks in the 2014 NFL Draft
With the NFL becoming more and more of a pass-centric league, it is becoming increasingly important for teams to find the ever-elusive “shutdown corner”, or at least find cornerbacks who can reliably provide effective coverage. The following 5 soon-to-be-rookie cornerbacks have the best chance at being successful in the NFL:
1. Justin Gilbert (Oklahoma State)
Gilbert is one of the most athletic players in this year’s draft. He is strong for a corner (20 reps in the 225 bench press) and he possess elite speed (4.31 second forty yard dash). Gilbert is aggressive: this leads to him biting on fakes from receivers more often than teams like, but it also results in him recording a healthy number of interceptions (7 in 2013, 2 of which were returned for touchdowns). His mistakes may scare some teams away, but his playmaking ability will intrigue just as many or more teams.
2. Darqueze Dennard (Michigan State)
While Dennard did not have as impressive a combine as Gilbert, he may be an equally physical and aggressive player. In addition to his coverage skills, Dennard can also provide effective run support.
3. Kyle Fuller (Virginia Tech)
Seemingly the trend in this year’s crop of cornerbacks, Fuller is another player whose aggressive style of play is both one of his best attributes and also the cause for most of his mistakes. Look for the secondary-challenged Chargers to select Fuller with the 25th overall selection if the first two players on this list have already been picked.
4. Bradley Roby (Ohio State)
Roby is more of a finesse player than these other prospects, using his blazing speed (4.34 forty yard) and impressive instincts to shadow receivers down the field. Many teams will prefer a more aggressive corner though, as Roby tends not to pursue underneath routes.
5. Jason Verrett (TCU)
Verrett has all the speed (4.36 second forty yard dash), agility (6.69 second 3-cone drill) and ball skills (14 passes defended in 2013) to be selected in the 1st round, but his lack of height (5’ 9”) and arm length (30 5/8”) should drop him to the 2nd round.
Both his agility and small stature will relegate Verrett to a nickel role covering slot receivers in the NFL, so expect a team that needs a player to fill that niche to draft him.
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