1. Trae Waynes – 6’0” 186 Ilbs. 4.31 40 time Michigan State Junior – 6.6
Trae is a three year starter at Michigan State where over the years he has proved to be the best prospect at the position. His blend of size and speed are off the charts. Granted this is the hardest position for anyone to grade, this is due to how much the intangible come into play. He has racked up 16 interceptions over the past three years, his least productive year in this category was this season. A lot of his opponents seemed not willing to test his side of the field. Waynes is the ideal prospect for the position and if he busts everyone was wrong.
2. Doran Grant – 5’10” 200 Ilbs. 4.44 40 time Ohio State – 6.5
Doran is a three year starter who improved every year at Ohio State, during his college career he had 9 interceptions and 20 passes defended. He has adequate height for the position, however he is a shredded 200 pounds, which shows me he has the athleticism to stay on the outside. His speed is a little bit above average for the position. Grant was the shutdown corner for the national champions. He impressed me every time I watched him on film. He is coming from a college where he received excellent coaching. It speaks to his character that he stuck out the discipline pains that the college went through, he stayed even though he did not participate in any of the off field issues that put Ohio State in tremendous trouble for a few years.
3. Kevin Johnson – 6’0” 188 Ilbs. 4.52 40 time Wake Forrest -6.2
Kevin is a three year starter for Wake Forest, during that time he racked up 7 interceptions and 33 passes defended. This tells me that he has the instincts to know when to break up a pass and when to go for the big play. His size his ideal for the position, his speed is average. Johnson could become a shutdown corner in the NFL, however he could easily be too non athletic for the NFL.
4. Byron Jones – 6’1”199 Ilbs. 4.5 40 time Connecticut – 6.15
Byron was a four year contributor/starter for Connecticut, during that time he had 8 interceptions and 18 passes defended. His size for the position is above average and his speed is average. Byron has the potential to become a number two corner in the NFL early in his career. His size will appeal well to most teams.
5. Marcus Peters – 6’0” 197 Ilbs. 4.53 40 time Washington Junior – 5.75
Marcus was a three year starter for Washington, during that time he had 11 interceptions. Peters is a good prospect for the position and has great size. I would have liked to see a sub 4.5 40 time, this tells me he did not have the discipline to get faster during college and relied on his pure talent. Pure talent does not cut in the NFL. Too many off the field questions for me personally.
6. Jalen Collins – 6’1” 203 Ilbs. 4.48 40 time LSU Junior – 5.7
Jalen did not become an every game starter until this season, however a lot of this was due to the players he was behind at LSU. Last season he only had one interception and nine passes defended. His size and speed are right on target for the position. Although he does not have as much playing time as I like to see out of college cornerbacks, he went to cornerback U. There is a good chance that Jalen will surprise the league in a few seasons and wind up being the best cornerback to come out of this draft.
7. Eric Rowe – 6’1” 205 Ilbs. 4.41 40 time Utah – 5.5
Eric is a four year starter, during that time he had three interceptions and 33 passes defended. Usually stats like he has shown me he is not willing to make take a chance, 3/33 ratio could mean bad hands. Rowe could prove to be a true number one cornerback in the NFL over time. His size and speed will make a team draft him earlier than he should go.
8. Quinten Rollins – 5’11” 195 Ilbs. 4.57 40 time Miami (Ohio) – 5.45
Quinten is intriguing individual. He joined the Football team at Miami during his senior year. That year he started every game and had 7 interceptions and 9 passes defended. It is extremely rare for someone to enter their senior year, join football, gain a starting position and excel like he did. He has no off field issues. The interceptions tell me that he has excellent intangibles and ball skills. I really like his story, although his transition may take a few years to develop into a serviceable defender, he has proven that he can learn the game. I love this kid, great story.
9. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu – 5’9” 4.45 40 time Oregon – 5.45
Ifo has been a contributor for four seasons for Oregon and was a starter for the past three seasons. During his time at Oregon, Ifo intercepted nine passes and broke up 39 passes. He is undersized for the position and is better suited for the slot, his speed is above average. The biggest concern is that he is coming off of a torn ACL during the Rose Bowl preparation this year. He will need to recover and may be better suited missing all of next season. If groomed over the next season while he heals to be 100% he could turn out to be one of the best slot corners in the NFL to come out of this draft.
10. P.J. Williams – 6’0” 194 Ilbs. 4.57 40 time Florida State Junior -5.4
P.J. had 4 interceptions and 18 passes defended during his three years at Florida State. He is a true Junior. Won a national championship, and was in the hunt last year for a repeat. His size is great for the position however I question his ability to play cornerback in the NFL due to his 40 time. Has some minor off field issues that is washed out to me by his tenacity on the field. He will need to move to Safety where his lack of speed can be hidden. I see him struggling to cover most starting Wide Receivers in the league. His 8 forced fumbles during his career boasts well to me. I have a hunch he will be drafted by the Eagles.
11. Steven Nelson – 5’10” 197 Ilbs. 4.49 40 time Oregon State – 5.35
Steven played two seasons of JC football, only to transfer to Oregon State and record 8 interceptions (six in his first season) and 18 passes defended. His size and speed for the position are average. Nelson showed his dedication to still get to a well-respected school through Junior College. His Junior year was incredible for someone entering the national stage from a JC. His Senior year it seemed like no team was willing to throw his way after one season in the PAC 12. There is a chance that his work ethic and ability will move him into a starting role in the NFL over time.
12. Ronald Darby – 5’11” 193 Ilbs. 4.38 40 time Florida State Junior – 5.6
Ronald is a three year starter at Florida State, during that time he had 4 interceptions and 18 passes defended. He is a true Junior. Won a national championship, and was in the hunt last year for a repeat. His size is average for the position however he posses’ blazing speed which will help him in the NFL more than being an inch taller. He has off field concerns, unfortunately this seems to be a trend for Florida State players recently. Ronald has a decent shot at being a starter in the NFL for quite some time mainly due to athleticism.
13. Senquez Golson – 5’9” 176 Ilbs. 4.46 40 time Ole Miss – 5.4
Senquez is a slot prospect who started three years at Ole Miss. During his time in college he had 16 Interceptions and 15 passes defended. His size will limit him to one position and that is a slot corner. His speed is adequate for the position he will have to play. It is becoming a trend that Cornerbacks with his size drop to a place in the draft where he may become a steal.
14. D J Smith – 5’10” 187 Ilbs. 4.45 40 time Florida Atlantic – 5.2
D J started three seasons at FAU, during this time he had 9 interceptions and 29 passes defended. His size and speed are ideal for the position, especially where he will be drafted. Could be a steal, possibly similar to E.J. Gaines last year. E.J. Gaines played against top notch talent weekly however, which made it odd that he was not selected higher. D J could slide into the later rounds.
15. Alex Carter – 6’0” 195 Ilbs. 4.51 40 time Stanford Junior – 5.15
Alex is a true Junior that has started the past two seasons. During his two years as a starter at Stanford he has two interceptions and 17 passes defended. He has an average blend of size and speed. He is obviously a smart individual, Stanford is one of the few exceptions of football programs that put an emphasis on their player’s ability to contribute to their academic philosophy. Is he the next Richard Sherman, probably not.
16. Jacorey Shepherd – 5’11” 200 Ilbs. 4.55 40 time Kansas – 5.1
Shepherd was a two year starter at Kansas where he had 5 interceptions and 28 passes defended. He has an average blend of size and speed for the position. He will have an uphill climb if is ever to become a starter in the NFL.
17. Tye Smith – 6’0” 195 Ilbs. 4.6 40 time Towson – 5.05
Tye is a small school prospect with good size and below average speed. He did produce decent numbers while at Towson, however nothing stood out on film. He will be a late selection that will have to prove his worth every day in camp to earn a roster spot.
18. Quandre Diggs – 5’9” 196 Ilbs. 40 time 4.56 40 time Texas – 5.00
Diggs was a four year starter at Texas. During his time in college he had 11 interceptions and 36 passes defended. His size and speed are both below average. He will probably only be able to play in the slot. If he can keep up with the faster receivers in the NFL he may prove to be a great later round selection.
19. Justin Coleman – 5’11” 185 Ilbs. 40 time 4.53 40 time Tennessee – 4.95
Coleman was a two year starter at Tennessee, during that time he had 5 interceptions and 12 passes deflected. His size and speed are average for the position. In order for him to play on the outside in the NFL he will need to show exceptional intangibles. I will be surprised if he becomes a multiyear starter in the NFL.
20. Troy Hill – 5’11” 182 Ilbs. 40 time 4.55 40 time Oregon – 4.9
Troy was a contributor for the Ducks the past four seasons. He was a starter for them the past two seasons. During his career at Oregon he has 3 interceptions and 32 passes defended. His size and speed are little bit below average for the position. Hill could become a contributor in the NFL, I would not be surprised if Chip drafts him late to go play for the Eagles.
