The reason that teams are concerned or excited about a prospect is because there has usually been some ground work and evidence to suggest one of those outcomes. That evidence is looking at former and current players’ successes and failures and comparing them to this year’s crop of franchise changers or busts.
So, by taking a look at which of this year’s top cornerbacks remind of current NFL players, we can possibly get a good indication and projection of their potential of NFL success.
Joe Haden, Florida – Antonio Cromartie
A physical specimen for a cornerback, Haden’s athletic ability is elite, regardless of what his workout numbers were.
He plays very physically and on film can hang with any sized receiver because of his foot quickness, body control, and overall bigger body. Cromartie has had success at points during his career because he’s so physical that many receivers can get swallowed up.
While Cromartie is a bit more physical, Haden is a little more instinctive and better on the ball, and both should be consistent Pro Bowlers.
Kyle Wilson, Boise State – Darrelle Revis
Like myself, I hear that scouts and teams are very intrigued and high on Wilson and what he could become in the pros.
Like Revis, he has great hips and turn-and-run ability that allow him to handle quicker receivers. But he also uses his hands well enough to make up for playing bigger receievers, which makes him as complete of a corner as Revis.
He’s not as great on the ball as Revis and will need some work there, but he could enjoy a late rise on draft boards similar to how Revis jumped Leon Hall on his draft day.
Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State – Leon Hall
And speaking of Leon Hall, Perrish Cox has a similar skill set that make him very intriguing for teams.
Cox’s weakest point in his game is his lack of NFL speed, which will severly limit where he can fit in the pros. While Hall didn’t have as bad of speed concerns, he was also looked at as a risk based on how he played on film.
However, both players have great ball skills, play very physically, are great in run support, and are effective against better receivers. Hall has enjoyed success thus far, and I think Cox could replicate that to some extent.
Donovan Warren, Michigan – Cedric Griffin
Many aren’t as enthralled with Warren as I have been most of the year, and that likely is because most of the appeal to Warren is his “potential” and not entirely what was on film.
He had a very weak defense he played with this year, and he was often times not targeted. And when he was, he was often left on an island and playing a zone, something he isn’t really comfortable in.
Warren has the size and long strides to hang with bigger receivers man to man, has the frame to bulk up to a press cover corner, and has enough hip fluidity to be a starting caliber cornerback.
Patrick Robinson, Florida State – Lito Sheppard
Some rave about this cornerback class as having upwards of four of five 1st rounders, but I’m just not buying it at all. Robinson is one of the guys that many like a lot, but I don’t feel will be a number one cornerback in the NFL.
Like Sheppard, he isn’t consistent enough or as physical all the time as he should be to be that lockdown cornerback, and really benefits from safety help over the top. He has the physical tools to be a starter for many years, but he will struggled to keep a starting job with his inconsistencies unless he fine tunes his technique.
Devin McCourtey, Rutgers – Derek Cox
Another guy that many scouts and teams alike seem to really like as a prospect, McCourtey never stood out on film for me.
He has the hips, the speed, and the size to be a starter in theory, but he never succeeded in college consistently without safety help. And while he did help in run support, he didn’t have the tackling form or strength to translate that to the pros early on.
Cox, last years surprise 3rd rounder for the Jags and starter, is a lot like what McCourtey could become because he’s a jack of all trades, master of none type of guy and needs talent around him.
Kareem Jackson, Alabama – Ahmad Carroll
Arguably the hottest prospect in the draft right now, that are reports that he’s a Top 20 pick on many boards.
Jackson was spoiled in college because he had elite level talent around him and never really had to worry about one on ones a lot. He was routinely put into great position and when you factor in the team around him, he really isn’t that impressive.
Like Carroll, Jackson could enjoy this rise thanks to his workouts and potential, but his lack of game film that impresses because of the team around him makes me think he’s a prime candidate to bust hard.
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