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2013 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings

Posted by Brad On November - 30 - 2012
"Johnthan Banks"

Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE

The 2013 NFL Draft cornerback class will be defined by the enormous depth that exists.  It’s stock full of top end talent but the true value lies in the 2nd and 3rd round depth.

The senior class is led by supersized Mississippi State corner, Johnthan Banks.  Banks has been steady in 2012 and should come off the board late on day one of the draft.  It always seems that a small-school corner makes his way into the early stages of the draft and this year is no different.  Southeastern Louisiana’s Robert Alford could emerge into a top 50 pick when it’s all said and done.

Underclassman declarations will make or break the depth of this class.  DeMarcus Milliner appears to be the top junior corner but Rutgers Logan Ryan is hot on his heels.  We will be keeping a careful eye on Ohio State’s redshirt sophomore, Brad Roby as he could stir things up in the first round should he declare.

After the jump we’ll take a look at the 2013 NFL Draft cornerback rankings.

SENIORS

1. Johnthan Banks I Mississippi State I 6’1″ I 187

Banks is an experienced starter, playing both free safety and corner.  He has plenty of size and has shown he can run with the best the SEC has to offer.  Banks isn’t as physical as you would expect and is prone to missing open field tackles due to his lack of physicality.  Banks is versatile enough to play in all schemes which should increase his value.

DRAFT PROJECTION: 1

2. Jordan Poyer I Oregon State I 5’11″ I 190

Poyer followed up a fantastic junior season with an even better senior season, earning him a spot in day two of the draft.  Poyer is a well rounded corner prospect with good feet and excellent ball skills.  He’s physical at the line of scrimmage and is a willing tackler.  Poyer should hear his name called early on day two of the draft.

DRAFT PROJECTION: 2

3. Robert Alford I Southeastern Louisiana I 5’11″ I 184

Alford is your typical talented small school corner.  He carries a chip on his shoulder for the lack of big program looks out of high school.  Alford’s ball skills and speed may be as good as any prospect in this draft (including underclassmen).  While, he’s not overly physical, he’s not afraid to stick his nose into the action.  He will be a fast riser that may make his way into the top 50 picks with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.

DRAFT PROJECTION: 2-3

4. Will Davis I Utah State I 6’0″ I 188

Will Davis has literally come out of nowhere to emerge into a legitimate NFL prospect.  The former JUCO star started five games last season, his first with the Aggies.  Davis is a fast and physical corner prospect that excels in press man coverage.  He was extended an invite to the Senior Bowl where he has a chance to emerge into an early day two prospect.

DRAFT PROJECTION: 2-3

5. Desmond Trufant I Washington I 6’0″ I 186

Desmond Trufant was a forgotten man heading into his senior season.  A very average junior season had some questioning his ability to compete from a physical standpoint at the next level.  Trufant will never be a great open field tackler but showed some improvement in this area in 2012.  He’s a solid athlete that excels in off-man coverage.  With solid ball skills and fluid hips he should make his way into the second round of April’s draft.

DRAFT PROJECTION: 2

6. Leon McFadden I San Diego State I 5’10″ I 190

McFadden has really helped his draft stock with a solid senior season.  The former wide receiver has excellent ball skills and instincts.  He’s a fluid athlete with very good change of direction skills and hips.  He is a solid value late in round two and a very good value in round three, if he makes it there.

DRAFT PROJECTION: 2-3

7. Blidi Wreh-Wilson I Connecticut I 6’1″ I 190 I DRAFT PROJECTION: 3-4

8. B.W. Webb I William & Mary I 5’10″ I 180 I DRAFT PROJECTION: 4-5

9. Jamar Taylor I Boise State I 5’11″ I 198 I DRAFT PROJECTION: 3-4

10. Terry Hawthorne I Illinois I 6’0 I 190 I DRAFT PROJECTION: 3-4

11. Micah Hyde I Iowa I 6’1″ I 190 I DRAFT PROJECTION: 4

12. Sanders Commings I South Carolina I 6’1″ I 212 I DRAFT PROJECTION: 5

13. Rod Sweeting I Georgia Tech I 6’0″ I 184 I DRAFT PROJECTION: 5-6

13. Johnny Adams I Michigan State I 5’11″ I 180 I DRAFT PROJECTION: 4

14. Ryan Lacy I Utah I 5’9 I 186 I DRAFT PROJECTION: 5

15. Adrian Bushell I Louisville I 5’11″ I 187 I DRAFT PROJECTION: 4

16. Darius Slay I Mississippi State I 6’1″ I 190 I DRAFT PROJECTION: 6

17. Marc Anthony I Cal I 6’0″ I 200 I DRAFT PROJECTION: 4-5

18. Nigel Malone I Kansas State I 5’10″ I 180 I DRAFT PROJECTION: 5-6

JUNIORS

1. Dee Milliner I Alabama I 6’1″ I 198

Milliner started out this season red hot.  He has cooled as of late in the heart of the SEC schedule.  I don’t think Milliner has the man cover skills to warrant a top 10 pick, as some predict.  That said, he’s physical with better fluidity than former teammate Dre Kirkpatrick.  Milliner is the draft’s top corner prospect but Logan Ryan is hot on his heels.

"Logan Ryan"

Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

2. Logan Ryan I Rutgers I 6’0″ I 190

Logan Ryan is a hot name right now.  He’s the leader of a very good Rutgers defense and has a knack for making big plays at opportune times.  Ryan’s success shouldn’t come as a surprise as he the best player on the Rutgers defense as a sophomore in 2011.  Ryan’s ability to make plays all over the field should have him coming off the board early on the first day of the draft.

3. Bradley Roby I Ohio State I 5’11″ I 190

Only a redshirt sophomore, Roby will have a hard time avoiding the 2013 NFL Draft.  He has first round abilities with his blend of speed and ball skills.  Teams have completely ignored Roby’s side of the field after he was leading the country in passes broken up.  He could be the next in line of great OSU corners to translate collegiate success into the NFL.

4. Xavier Rhodes I Florida State I 6’1 I 217

5. Jason Verrett I TCU I 5’10″ I 180

6. Nickell Robey I USC I 5’8″ I 170

7. Bennett Jackson I Notre Dame I 6’0″ I 182

8. Antone Exum I Virginia Tech I 6’1″ I 224

9. Bene Bewikere I San Jose State I 6’0″ I 192

10. Tharold Simon I LSU I 6’3″ I 187

11. Carrington Byndom I Texas I 6’0″ I 180

12. Justin Gilbert I Oklahoma State I 6’0″ I 194

13. Darqueze Dennard I Michigan State I 5’11 I 188

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  • Bex_R1986

    Jason Verrett was outstanding against Texas, first time I’d really taken note of him. The CB class for next year looks like it could be a strong one. In addition to the guys listed above (big fan of Dennard), I would add Ciante Evans, E.J. Gaines, Jimmy Legree and Aaron Colvin as top prospects.

    Also very high on Logan Ryan, but I still have Xavier Rhodes on the same level. He’s physical at the line of scrimmage and plays man coverage well. What in your opinion keeps him from being a first round prospect? I’m assuming that based on him not appearing in your mocks and his ranking here, apologies if he does carry a 1st round grade.

    • bradc11

      I haven’t finished the grade on Rhodes but I suspect he’ll carry a first round grade when I’m finished. The only reason he hasn’t appeared is because I’m throwing in a lot of names at this point. He and Banks are in the same range for me and I think both could wind up in the 1st. If Brad Roby or Logan Ryan decide to return that will open a spot for Rhodes. Ranking the top 10 right now (all prospects) it would look like this. Milliner, Ryan, Roby, Banks, Rhodes, Verrett, Poyer, Alford, Davis, Trufant

      • Bex_R1986

        I think whoever drafts Rhodes will end up happy, he covers very well for a 215 pound back, and that size and added physicality gives him an additional plus while maintaining good coverage of fast receivers.

        I notice that David Amerson isn’t listed here. While he’s had a bit of a disaster, there is a lot to like about his game. Do you see a future as a free safety at the next level? It may help to combat his problems with covering the deep ball against quick receivers on go routes.

        Interesting list of combined prospects. As a top 10, I’m currently going with: Milliner, Rhodes, Ryan, Roby, Banks, Trufant, Wreh-Wilson (am I too high again? Perhaps…), Davis, Verrett, Hyde (seem to have fallen off the radar a little!).

        • Bex_R1986

          Also, you’ll note I do not have Poyer in my 10. I have some concerns about him. I worry about his ability to play man, one on one coverage on deep balls. He seems to make a lot of highlight reel plays over the middle of the field to cover up some of this and relies a little on his safeties to help out over the top at times. While I wouldn’t go as far as labelling him as a nickel corner, there’s enough to concern me, leaving him just outside my top prospects.

      • Bex_R1986

        I think whoever drafts Rhodes will end up happy, he covers very well for a 215 pound back, and that size and added physicality gives him an additional plus while maintaining good coverage of fast receivers.

        I notice that David Amerson isn’t listed here. While he’s had a bit of a disaster, there is a lot to like about his game. Do you see a future as a free safety at the next level? It may help to combat his problems with covering the deep ball against quick receivers on go routes.

        Interesting list of combined prospects. As a top 10, I’m currently going with: Milliner, Rhodes, Ryan, Roby, Banks, Trufant, Wreh-Wilson (am I too high again? Perhaps…), Davis, Verrett, Hyde (seem to have fallen off the radar a little!).

  • neigherhood drunk

    What’s your thoughts of Kahlid Wooten from Nevada?

    • bradc11

      Wooten is solid but not sure he’s not a better fit at FS in the NFL. I haven’t watched enough to give a full scouting report on him but he appears to be a solid late round prospect with some upside.

  • Braeden

    Solid List but I disagree in some areas like I think you are to low on Trufant and are too high on Roby. My top ten is this:

    1-Dee Milliner

    2- Jonathan Banks

    3- Logan Ryan

    4- Xavier Rhodes

    5- David Amerson

    6- Jordan Poyer

    7- Bradley Roby

    8- Desmond Trufant

    9- Kyle Fuller

    T-10- Darius Slay
    T-10- Johnny Adams

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