Draft Nuggets 2015: Entry #15
By Jeff Bowers of youtube.com/TheSportsNarrative
Twitter: @sportsnarrative
Positional Breakdowns: Cornerbacks
As we continue or positional breakdown of this year’s draft (see Draft Nuggets 13 for RBs and 14 for Edge Rushers), it is time to look at the cornerback class. With Brandon Carr not playing up to his contract the last 2 years and the uncertainty of Mo Claiborne, CB could be a position the Cowboys target early. However, the usual traits coveted in the “lock-down” corner aren’t necessarily as important in the Cowboys system. Usually a corner is praised for his speed, agility and ball skills. While ball skills are also highly valued for the Cowboys defense, top end speed is less important as tackling and awareness in a zone, making this a position the Cowboys can find value in deeper in the draft than other teams with a more man coverage scheme. Perhaps Dallas might even take a top flight corner early to replace (or eventually replace) Carr opposite of Scandrick and the take another one later for the value. Here is a look at the top 20 corners in this year’s draft.
1. Trae Waynes, Michigan State, 6’0 186lbs, 40 Time 4.31 Bench 19 – Waynes is everything anyone could want in a solid press man cover corner. With nice top end speed, an aggressive demeanor and above average awareness, Waynes would be a welcome addition to any secondary. However, his slight frame and shorter arms could cause his to only stay at the “solid” designation versus the “star” tag. But with a weaker corner class at the top this year, he will be drafted to be a difference maker and could be in the right system.
Projection: Top 15
2. Marcus Peters, Washington, 6’0 197lbs, 40 Time 4.53 Bench 17 – While Waynes is the better press corner, Peters might be the best overall and versatile corner in the draft. But his off-field issues will cause many to question his place on their board. Physically aggressive, Peters played better as his competition level rose and displayed natural playmaking ability. Probably best is an off-man scheme (like the Cowboys) where he can run downhill at receivers as well as track the ball. Now come the red flags, as a laundry list of suspensions, fights with coaches and a failed drug test in 2011 all must be investigated early. Look for a teams with a willingness to overlook off-field issues like Cincinnati, Baltimore or Pittsburgh to take a shot at Peters in round one.
Projection: Top 25
3. Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest, 6’0” 188lbs, 40 Time 4.52 Bench NA – Johnson can best be described as a “thinking man’s” corner. His awareness and aggression on the field were used to overcome his lack of size/speed in college and I hope that can translate to the pros. A hard worker, Johnson may be best as a #2 corner in man coverage scheme.
Projection: 1st/2nd
4. Byron Jones, Connecticut, 6’1” 199lbs, 40 Time 4.50 Bench NA – Jones leaped onto the scene at the Combine this year, setting a World Record in the standing broad jump (12’3”) after still recovering from shoulder surgery. Jones played both safety and corner for the Huskies and showed nice playmaking in zone coverage at both positions as well as a willingness in run support (when healthy). If his shoulder checks out, Jones could be an ideal fit in the Dallas system and might be the “Plan B” if they don’t have a better option or a trade down at #27.
Projection: 1st/2nd
5. Jalen Collins, LSU, 6’1” 203lbs, 40 Time 4.48 Bench NA – Collins falls somewhere between 2 other big LSU corners: Patrick Peterson and Mo Claiborne. His size, speed and physical nature are reminiscent of Peterson and yet his very mechanics and too much reliance on his physical gifts are more like Claiborne. That plus a few red flags about taking coaching has Collins in the “boom or bust” category for me and should only be employed in a system that asks him to do nothing more than cover the guy in front of him without thinking.
Projection: 2nd round
6. PJ Williams, Florida State, 6’0” 194lbs, 40 Time 4.57 Bench 12 – Williams is the rare corner who is better being physical than in coverage. It seems most of his highlight plays came in playing the run or with big hits causing turnovers, both skills highly desired by DCs (including Rod Marinelli). Just got arrested in March for DUI which will hurt his draft position.
Projection: 2nd round
7. Quinten Rollins, Miami (OH), 5’11” 195lbs, 40 Time 4.57 Bench 14 – A four year basketball player at Miami of Ohio, Rollins only started playing football last year in college and only played corner since spring 2014. Very raw in technique but showed ability to accept coaching at Senior Bowl. A bit of a project but upside is very intriguing to most defensive coaches.
Projection: 2nd/3rd
8. Eric Rowe, Utah, 6’1” 205lbs, 40 Time 4.45 Bench 19 – Played both corner and safety at Utah (though he is from Spring, TX) and many will see him as a free safety prospect but could play corner in the Dallas scheme. Not the greatest break on the ball resulting in a lack of interceptions (only 3 in college). But even if he transitioned to a cover safety in Dallas, would be a solid addition to the secondary.
Projection: 2nd/3rd
9. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon, 5’9” 192lbs, 40 Time NA Bench 14 – A torn ACL just prior to the Rose Bowl cost Ifo his chance at a national championship and will cost him some draft spots. If healthy, Ifo (whose name means “something that fits you well”) would be an ideal fit as a slot corner. With a solid build and a willingness to get his nose dirty combined with excellent agility and ball skills, Ifo would be a late 1st/early 2nd round pick if healthy, but the knee will likely make him a value pick in the 3rd round.
Projection: 3rd round
10. Ronald Darby, Florida State, 5’11” 193lbs, 40 Time 4.38 Bench 12 – Darby’s evaluation could vary dramatically from team to team as some see him as an overly aggressive corner with character red flags while other may see a undervalued physical corner with upside. I fall more to the former, seeing Darby as a better athlete than football player and wondering if it is worth the risk. But in round 3 someone will take a shot.
Projection: 3rd round
11. Alex Carter, Stanford, 6’0” 196lbs, 40 Time 4.50 Bench 17 – 3rd Round
12. D’Joun Smith, Florida Atlantic, 5’10” 187lbs, 40 Time 4.45 Bench 18 – 3rd round
13. Josh Shaw, USC, 6’0” 201lbs, 40 Time 4.44 Bench 26 – 3rd/4th
14. Doran Grant, Ohio State, 5’10” 200lbs, 40 Time 4.44 Bench 21 – 3rd/4th
15. Steven Nelson, Oregon State, 5’10” 197lbs, 40 Time 4.46 Bench 19 – 3rd/4th
16. Senquez Golson, Mississippi, 5’9” 176lbs, 40 4.46 Bench 16 – 4th round
17. Jacoby Glenn, UCF, 6’0” 179lbs, 40 Time 4.60 Bench NA – 4th round
18. Charles Gaines, Louisville, 5’10” 180lbs, 40 Time 4.44 Bench NA – 4th/5th
19. Kevin White, TCU, 5’9” 183lbs, 40 Time 4.63 Bench 18 – 4th/5th
20. Justin Cox, Miss State, 6’1” 191lbs, 40 Time 4.36 Bench 15 – 4th/5th