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2008 Draft Prospects: Cornerbacks
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Prospect rankings · Risers/Fallers · Mock drafts · History · Draft Tracker
TSX · Offense · Defense · Special Teams
Defensive Ends · Defensive Tackles · Inside Linebackers · Outside Linebackers · Cornerbacks · Safeties
Clark Judge ranks the top five defensive prospects at each position.
| Top Prospects: Cornerbacks |
| 1. Leodis McKelvin, Troy |
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| Agility Tests: |
| 40-yard dash: 4.38 |
Bench press: 225 lbs (17 times) |
Vertical jump: 38.5" |
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| The skinny: What makes him special is that he's a top cornerback and and a terrific return specialist. Though he touched the ball only twice on offense, he holds the school record with 3,909 all-purpose yards, scoring eight times on returns -- seven by punts. A two-year starter, he has great athleticism but must work on his ball skills. "Hands are a real issue," said one scout. "Still, he can return kicks and punts." |
| 2. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State |
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| Agility Tests: |
| 40-yard dash: 4.33 |
Bench press: 225 lbs (19 times) |
Vertical jump: 40.5" |
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| The skinny: Depending on whom you talk to he could be the best cornerback in the draft. He has a world of athletic ability, including outstanding speed, and has a knack for making big plays. If there's a knock it's that he's raw and played at a small-school level. Still, scouts drool over his potential. He has the size, body control and closing speed to be a solid NFL cornerback. |
| 3. Mike Jenkins, South Florida |
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| Agility Tests: |
| 40-yard dash: 4.38 |
Bench press: 225 lbs (18 times) |
Vertical jump: 34" |
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| The skinny: He played free safety as a freshman, then moved to cornerback where he was outstanding in press coverage. With teammate Trae Williams, South Florida had one of the best tandems of cornerbacks in the country. Jenkins has good size, outstanding speed and natural cover skills. He could be a better tackler and probably hurt himself by not attending the Senior Bowl, but he's a first-round lock. |
| 4. Aqib Talib, Kansas |
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| Agility Tests: |
| 40-yard dash: 4.42 |
Bench press: 225 lbs (10 times) |
Vertical jump: 38" |
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| The skinny: A standout throughout his career with the Jayhawks, Talib has big-play ability with outstanding ball skills that produced 13 interceptions. He is tall, instinctive, explosive and a reliable tackler. He doesn't have top-end speed, but with his size he could be moved to safety. Character is a question, with several clubs questioning off-the-field issues in his past. |
| 5. Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech |
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| Agility Tests: |
| 40-yard dash: 4.54 |
Bench press: 225 lbs (14 times) |
Vertical jump: 30" |
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| The skinny: A two-year starter, he's an all-around player who has good coverage skills. He's not in the same class as Virginia Tech alum DeAngelo Hall, but he's good enough to be considered a first-round possibility. Flowers is extremely confident, knows how to find the football and is a big hitter. But he's not as fast as you would like. |
| Player on the rise: |
| Cromartie. I can't remember a player with more of a range in evaluations, with some people putting him in the second round and others considering him the best cornerback in the draft. Most scouts like him, and some are infatuated with him, particularly with his athletic ability. Warning: He has one kidney, but that doesn't seem to scare off suitors. |
| Player on the decline: |
| Talib. Those off-the-field issues continue to dog the guy. One scout I talked to said there was too much baggage here for his team to consider Talib. A GM I trust told me his club was removing Talib's name from its board because of character problems. No one questions Talib has the talent; what they wonder is if he can stay out of trouble. |
| Sleeper |
| Jack Ikegwuonu, Wisconsin -- He might have been a first-round pick had he not torn knee ligaments prior to the scouting combine. A first-team All-Big Ten choice the last two years, he might not play this season -- which means the team that chooses him must be patient. What they will get is a good cover corner who likes to press opponents and can handle tall receivers. |
| Overrated |
| Arizona's Antoine Cason. Yes, he has ability, and, no question, the guy knows how to find the end zone: He returned two of his five interceptions in 2007 for touchdowns. He's also a four-year starter. But he doesn't have great speed (yeah, I know he was on the Wildcats' track team) and isn't overly physical. He's a top-end player but isn't the first-round pick he was supposed to be. Might be better suited at safety. |
| Position analysis: |
| The position is strong, and it is deep. Can't find a cornerback in the first round? Don't worry. There are plenty to choose from in the second and third rounds. McKelvin, Cromartie and/or Jenkins should be Top 15 choices, with Talib and Flowers potential first-rounders. I don't know if anyone here steps in and makes an immediate impact, but there are plenty of potential starters. |
| Talk Back |
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 12, 2006
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April 27, 2008 6:51 pm
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If anyone saw his story during the draft then you know him being drafted was a life or death situation. (If he doesn't get drafted then he's heading to Iraq) He gets to play football and represent Army in the NFL.
Good luck to you sir.
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Reputation:87
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 30, 2006
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May 9, 2008 8:30 am
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6' 4" 290 lb. Defensive tackles are one of the most envied types of players in the league. Even though he was a D-2 player, ithink the Steelers got a great pick up in signing him as a free agent. Even as a rookie I wouldn't be suprised to see him adding depth to the infamously ferocious Steeler defense.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 24, 2007
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April 27, 2008 6:50 pm
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Glad to see that Hawaii's talent was exposed during the butt-kickin put on them by the SEC. They were exposed for what they aren't......good......when they finally played a real team. Colt will never amount to a thing and where are all the WR's they claimed were gonna go so high? Only one player was drafted from Hawaii. When will they learn that playing a high school schedu
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Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 20, 2006
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April 28, 2008 2:11 pm
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Brennan against Washington: 42 out of 50 for 442 yard with 5 TDs and no ints. I don't care a what level you are playing, those are difficult stats to put up. He did that fairly regularly. The game before was not as good. He played Boise St. and went 40 out of 53 for 495 yards, 5 TDs, 2 ints, and he also ran for one TD. This guy could be a real 6th round steal.&n
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Aug 20, 2006
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April 27, 2008 12:33 am
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They had a very good Day 1. Felix Jones, RB (Arkansas) is the perfect compliment to Marion Barber. Jones is a roadrunner. Mike Jenkins, CB (South Florida) is a cover CB with good hands and decent size. Martellus Bennett, TE (Texas A&M) makes sense because they trade Fasano to Miami and like running two TE sets. But I would have liked to see them trade up to get one of the big WR's
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 20, 2007
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April 27, 2008 5:42 pm
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I'm just wondering why no teams are picking these guys. These were 3rd round prospects. Any thoughts?
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 26, 2007
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April 22, 2008 4:25 pm
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Hey... the Bengals deserve a break with the malcontent "85"... Sedrick Ellis is a future ALL-PRO and is perfect to improve the "D" in the 'Natti...
For Carson Palmer's sake.... Bengals TAKE Sedrick if he is there at #9!!!!
Fight ON!!
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Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Aug 11, 2006
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April 29, 2008 4:18 pm
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I cannot understand why the Vikings or Bears did not go for Henne or Brohm. I guess Tavares and Grossman are the answers for both teams???? Not that they would play next year but they both lasted to the second round. Maybe the Vikings think they got a steal in Booty?. I doubt it.
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 22, 2006
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April 27, 2008 4:05 pm
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I believe this is one of the best off seasons for detroit in a long time. We didn't go after the high profiled guys and chose some tough players with good heads on their shoulders. Sure we may have been able to trade down further for Gosder, but why chance it. We really bolstered our offense, while picking up some defensive players that will play over some guys already "on" the team. It will b
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 26, 2008
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April 26, 2008 8:21 pm
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(POLL)
Who will have a bigger impact in his Rookie season
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 22, 2007
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April 26, 2008 4:19 pm
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Buffalo will be the best team in the NFL in a couple of years. They have some great young talent, not to mention the yongest team in the league.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 10, 2006
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April 26, 2008 5:15 pm
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They needed a quarterback, and they got the best one there...
Ryan is overrated, and the Falcons will soon see why.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 29, 2006
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