CORNERBACKS
Josh Jackson, Iowa
Game Film Evaluated:
Ohio State (2017)
Wyoming (2017)
Penn State (2017)
Nebraska (2017)
Analysis: Ideal frame and length. He has good speed. Lets defenders get behind him in zone coverage. He looks to make a play on the ball when in man coverage. He lacks the extra gear to recover when beaten. He not only looks for the ball but wants to go up and get it away from the receiver. He brings a physical style to the game, wants to hit hard receivers or backs that come to his area. Playmaker in coverage. He looks to undercut routes and go get the ball. He keeps his eyes on the QB and will jump routes. His technique at the line is poor, fails to get a press on the receiver. Does not know how to redirect the receiver. He can be beaten to the inside easily by an experience receiver to generate leverage at the line. Used as a blitzer often at Iowa.
Summary: Josh Jackson has the most ideal frame, length and athleticism for the position one can hope for. He is an excellent corner but he is not yet elite. The potential is there for sure but he has some things need that need to be developed for him to reach that level. He needs to punish receivers at the line of scrimmage with a strong press and redirect them off their routes. He has the ability for force them to go where he wants them instead of the other way around. He will become a dominant corner when he develops that. He is an adequate tackler but there is room to improve there. He plays like he wants to attack whoever has the ball. There may not be a better playmaker in the draft. He simply wants the ball more than most. He will take chances, guess and jump routes constantly. An NFL QB will use pump fakes and throw double moves constantly to beat him over the top. He will need to learn to manage when to take a chance and when to just bring down the receiver. He is a fit for both man and zone schemes but he can be beaten over the top by a elite speed receiver. First round grade.
Denzel Ward, Ohio State
Game Film Evaluated:
Penn State (2017)
Michigan (2017)
Oklahoma (2017)
Analysis: Very quick. Able to flip his hips quickly. Fast backpedal and transition smoothly. He can turn and run and stay with fast receivers downfield. He gives fine effort in the run game and tackles effectively. He gets his hands on the receiver downfield which he will need to eliminate from his game due to the pro rules. He needs to get physical with the receiver at the line of scrimmage. Adequate height but thin frame for the position. It might help for him to add a few pounds of muscle. He does not look for the ball in man coverage. He can provide tight coverage even against fast receivers but does not turn his head to locate the ball, he plays the man consistently. However he plays with good awareness in zone, he will try to make a play on the ball.
Summary: Denzel Ward is a plus cover corner who can handle his assignments in both man and zone coverage. He needs to get stronger and become more physical with receivers at the line. He has more than enough athleticism to handle receivers, even the faster ones, in man coverage. He has the hips, quickness, and long speed to force the QB to go elsewhere with the ball. He can play on the outside or in the slot effectively. He needs to do a better job looking for the ball in man coverage and improving his hands in zone when attempting to get the ball. A corner’s primary job is to provide tight coverage to his receiver effectively and Ward does this very well. He just needs to work on the little things to round out his game but if he does that, he is a top corner in the NFL. Reminds me a bit of Orlando Scandrick. 1st round grade who can start as a rookie but bigger receivers will give him trouble especially if he doesn’t work on jamming receivers at the line.
Mike Hughes, Central Florida
Game Film Evaluated:
Maryland (2017)
Auburn (2017)
Memphis (2017)
Analysis: Compact frame and extremely quick with plus speed. He can handle even speed receivers downfield. Gives plus effort as a tackler and plays a physical game. Aggressive when supporting the run, he may come up empty going for the tackle but the effort is there. Extremely competitive on the field. He is not intimidated despite his smaller size. He will get involved in the run game and wants to attack the ball in coverage. He has a playmaker style on the field. He can stick in man coverage and will give all he has to press receivers at the line. He will knock a receiver right on his butt at the line of scrimmage if they aren’t ready for him. Fluid hips and he can turn and run effectively without losing any speed.
Summary: Mike Hughes is not the biggest corner but there may not be anyone in the class that plays a bigger game than him. He is extremely aggressive and competitive in the style of game he plays. He brings it on every snap and looks to make a play every chance he gets. He would be an elite prospect if he were a few inches taller. He can stick in man coverage against even quick and undersized type receivers. It is an unknown how he will match up against bigger and physical receivers. He brings a playmaker mentality to the position and should be a plus starter early on in his career. He projects well to the slot and outside position. Early 2nd round grade.
Carlton Davis, Auburn
Game Film Evaluated:
Georgia (2017)
Missouri (2017)
Texas A&M (2016)
Analysis: Compact frame. Not as light on his feet as other prospects. Excels at getting physical and putting hands on the receiver. He is one of the better bump and run type corners. He is not afraid to come up and hit the receiver or tackle. He was quicker in 2016, appeared to play a bit heavier in 2017. He can get beaten deep if he fails to get a hand on a speed receiver. He lacks the explosive burst, catch up speed and long speed to consistently neutralize deep threats. Not a playmaker in coverage, does not look to play the ball.
Summary: Charlton Davis plays like a physical bump and run type corner who needs to get his hands on the receiver for him to be successful. However his traits suggest a cover 2 type zone corner who helps in run support, getting press coverage and physical tackler after the catch is made. He was quicker in 2016 than 2017, not sure if due to injury but visually he seemed to carry more weight in 2017. He is a solid secondary corner who can handle himself in either scheme but I think he is best for a scheme that wants tackling and physical presence than top speed and plus man cover skills. I am concerned his style of game does not hold up well to the NFL with his physicality. 2nd round grade.
Jaire Alexander, Louisville
Game Film Evaluated:
Syracuse (2017)
Purdue (2017)
LSU (2016)
Analysis: Returns punts and has good quickness and goes north and south in a hurry. Average height but plays with long arms and knows how to use them. He is not afraid to get physical with receivers at the line and he will play press coverage. Showed good awareness in zone coming off his man to bring in an INT vs Syracuse. Aggressive in coverage and he brings a playmaker style to the position. He wants to make a play on the ball and jump routes which makes him vulnerable to double moves. He is a feisty player and not afraid to mix it up with bigger receivers. Good tackler and not afraid supporting the run. However he failed to bring down top prospect Derrius Guice from LSU in the open field twice. Bigger receivers give him trouble on high passes, just doesn’t have the height or leaping ability.
Summary: Jaire Alexander is an extremely physical and aggressive corner that brings no fear to his game. He is fearless when going up against bigger receivers, he will press them and look to punish them if given the chance. He is quick and plus awareness in zone coverage. He brings the playmaker mentality and wants to go get the ball when it comes his way. Comfortable playing outside and in the slot in a variety of roles. He played press man, off man and zone coverage. One of the better tackling corners in the draft, he improved in this area in 2017 from 2016. He needs to learn when to take chances and when to play it safe, NFL QBs will torch him if he tries to jump as many routes as he did in college. Although he lacks the ideal measurables, he is plenty talented, has the right mentality and competitive style to the game. He can play on the outside and in the slot. Late 2nd round grade.
Kevin Tolliver II, LSU
Game Film Evaluated:
Florida (2017)
Mississippi State (2016)
Analysis: Ideal frame and excellent length. He plays a physical bump and run coverage. He is an effective tackler who isn’t afraid to mix it up inside and tackle. He can press the receiver at the line and best in the underneath and intermediate routes. Aslong as he gets his hands on the receiver at the line, he can handle himself in man coverage but he is in trouble if they get a clean release off the line. He fails to turn and locate the ball in man coverage unless the play is in front of him. He can close effectively in zone coverage and will look to knock the pass away. Ideal zone cover corner who can support the run.
Summary: Kevin Tolliver has the ideal skillset for the CB position that many teams dream about to match up against the bigger physical receivers in the NFL. At the same time, he lacks the quickness and long speed to prevent receivers from getting over the top of them. He needs to continue to develop his press technique and just punish receivers who try to get off the line against him. He is most successful when he gets physical and has plenty of size and skill to do it even against pro receivers. He needs to improve his ball recognition in man coverage and look for the ball or else penalties will find him. His size, length and physical style of play project well to the next level and should be a plus zone cover corner at the next level who needs to stay out of man coverage against speed threat receivers who will run past him if they get a clean release. Late 2nd round grade.
Donte Jackson, LSU
Game Film Evaluated:
Notre Dame (2017)
Ole Miss (2016)
Analysis: Undersized and thin frame. He has good leaping ability. Excellent effort in his game, willing tackler although obviously out muscled vs bigger players. Does not play with good long speed and allows separation on deep routes. Not sure if dialing it down baiting the QB to throw it or is more quick than fast. Extremely quick and fluid. He can transition from the backpedal and run effectively without losing any speed. Not a physical press corner, he lined up on the face of the receiver but did not get press at the line during the games observed. Good hands and he plays with excellent awareness. He consistently looks to make a play on the ball even in man coverage.
Summary: Donte Jackson has tremendous quickness and fluid hips to be a top man cover corner at the next level. However he lacks size and physical style of play to suggest he can play on the outside consistently in the pros. Bigger receivers will have their way with him. He needs to play the nickel slot coverage and should match up well against smaller quicker receivers. He brings a playmaker mentality and wants the ball when he’s in position to make a play on it. He is a willing tackler and plays with good awareness to get some INTs. Also adds a special team element as he returned kicks in 2016. Late 2nd round grade but needs to go to a team that faces off against a lot of 3 wide receiver sets in the division with quicker slot receivers like Dallas, New England, Miami, Seattle and Minnesota.
Darius Philips, Western Michigan
Game Film Evaluated:
Michigan State (2017)
Buffalo (2017)
Toledo (2016)
Analysis: Physical corner who looks to attack the ball in the air. He prefers to make plays on the ball instead of the player. He is a playmaker in coverage, he wants the ball. He forced a fumble and recovered it back for a score against Michigan State. He plays tight coverage and looks to get his hands on the receiver and drives through them to the ball. Also returned kicks for WMU. As physical as he is in coverage, he is at the opposite end of the spectrum in tackling. He wants nothing to do with tackling unless he can try and rip the ball out. Reminds me of Marcus Peters in both the playmaking ability and lack of effort in tackling.
Summary: Darius Phillips is a very good coverage corner who excels in man coverage and has playmaking skills when the ball is in the air. He is a gambler and will always look to play the ball instead of the man. He will not get involved in tackling and always be second to the party in the run game. He is not the biggest corner but he is not afraid to get physical at the line with any receiver. Early 3rd round grade.
Nick Nelson, Wisconsin
Game Film Evaluated:
Michigan (2017)
Maryland (2017)
Miami (2017)
Analysis: A bit on the shorter side for a corner but has a solid build. One of the quicker and fluid corners in the draft. Excels at man coverage and active knocking passes away from the defender. However not a playmaker in coverage, not someone who can make INTs, force fumbles. He often plays the man and knocks the pass away when the receiver goes for the ball. Zero career INTs at Wisconsin supports this. Adequate tackler who is aggressive coming up to support either the run or underneath receiver. He needs to improve his press coverage, lacks the extra gear to recover once beaten. He is a grabber in coverage and NFL illegal contact rules will eat him alive if he doesn’t clean that up. He needs to get more physical redirecting receivers in zone coverage.
Summary: Nick Nelson is one of the more solid man cover corners in the draft who can fill effectively in run support and give good effort as a tackler. He can handle outside coverage and should also be a good option sliding inside to the slot. He plays the man more so than the ball but manages to get his hands into the receiver knocking away over 20 passes in 2017 which put him amongst the best in the country. However he is not a playmaker in coverage so do not expect him to get you INTs at the next level. He had zero INTs during his 3 seasons at Wisconsin. He needs to play more physical at a consistent level especially at the line of scrimmage vs pro receivers to give himself a chance to provide as tight a coverage as he did in college. Pro QBs are able to throw it in tight quarters that college ones were afraid to do. He is also an adequate punt returner and adds good value to his stock in that regard too. He should be able to contribute as a rookie but may need to stay in the slot until he shows in practice he can redirect and jam receivers before he can be trusted on the outside. Early 3rd round grade.
Anthony Averett, Alabama
Game Film Evaluated:
Georgia (2018)
Clemson (2017)
Clemson (2016)
Analysis: He is a bit thin and could use some more muscle. He gets out muscled by bigger receivers too often. He is quick and can provide tight coverage. He closes quickly in zone. Good tackler. Struggled against the top prospects at Clemson. Let an easy an INT as possible go right through his hands vs Georgia in the national championship. He prefers to play the man instead of try to go up and get the ball. He fails to look back for the ball in man coverage and will get called for interference despite being in good position.
Summary: Anthony Averett has played against the best in the country and is a solid cover corner prospect. He is solid in all areas but nothing is elite to his game. He is a good tackler but not the biggest corner. He has good quickness and able to provide tight man coverage even against smaller receivers. However he needs to add strength to help him vs the bigger and more physical receivers he will see in the NFL which was highlighted vs Clemson. He projects as a nickel corner who can handle the underneath routes in man coverage. He can close on the ball quick and more than capable to support the run. 3rd round grade.
Duke Dawson, Florida
Game Film Evaluated:
Florida State (2017)
LSU (2017)
Michigan (2016)
Analysis: Undersized but compact frame. Built low to the ground and moves extremely well. Very quick, has plus speed to catch up when beaten. Fluid hips and can handle man coverage even when lined up in the slot. He has playmaker skills who can make a play on the ball in the air in both man and zone coverage. He is a willing tackler, going high and low at times. He likes to gets physical with receivers and not afraid to get his hands on them at the line.
Summary: Duke Dawson is an undersized corner who projects to the nickel corner role and fit for either scheme since he is a willing tackler and fluid in man coverage even against quicker receivers. He is a good player and make no mistake, nickel corners play just as much as base personnel on defense and is a valuable position. Early 3rd round grade who should be a rookie contributor.
Holton Hill, Texas
Game Film Evaluated:
USC (2017)
Oklahoma State (2017)
Analysis: Ideal size and length. He has good long speed and adequate quickness. He has some tightness in his hips and can be beaten inside on crossers and slant routes. He flashes ability to get physical and redirect receivers at the line. He needs to be more consistent with press at the line. Above average tackler, he is able to bring down receivers one on one and in space. Plays a bit flat footed at times and does not explode in and out of breaks with elite burst. The tight hips were exposed when he transitions from the backpedal to run downfield, he almost fell to the ground vs Oklahoma State. He can locate and make a play on the ball. He uses his length to play the man and also knock down passes with good timing. He has a bit of playmaker style more so in zone coverage. He is at his best on intermediate and downfield routes, quick and inside routes will give him trouble unless he uses his strength and length to jam them at the line.
Summary: Holton Hill has the ideal frame and impressive skillset that the NFL dreams for from their outside cornerback. He bounced back in 2017 from an awful 2016 season and was playing like a first round pick for most of the season. He became an highly effective tackler this past season and rounded out his game to a level had not seen while at Texas. He has the long speed, body control and mentality to be a good outside boundary corner who stacks up well against the big body NFL receivers. He needs to continue to improve his technique especially at the line of scrimmage. A corner with his size should not allow any receiver to get a clean release off the line. He has a knack for being around the ball and fell into a few INTs during 2017 and took them back for scores. He projects to be a solid starting corner capable of playing on the outside and handle himself vs the big physical receivers in the league. However Hill has ran a foul with coaches during his time in Austin. He was a regular resident in Charlie Strong’s doghouse and was suspended by Tom Herman with three games left in the 2017 season. Reportedly, scouts do not feel teams will be able to trust Hill at the next level. Hill played like a 1st round pick at times during 2017 but he had an up and down career. Add the character concerns to the inconsistent play and settle on a 3rd round grade on Hill due to the significant risk.
Tarvarus McFadden, Florida State
Game Film Evaluated:
North Carolina State (2017)
Alabama (2017)
Clemson (2016)
Analysis: Ideal size and length for the position. He can close on the ball quickly. He attacks the ball in the air. Poor technique and does not press the receiver at the line. Poor footwork and does not play light on his feet. Good tackler and willing to support the run. He played the rover nickel back spot at FSU, lining up in the slot and outside. He was asked to blitz often but did not make as many splash plays considering the number of opportunities. Calvin Ridley consistently created separation against him. He can drive on the ball effectively and punish receivers. He needs to get off blocks from receivers, he gets taken out of too many plays from just a receiver block.
Summary: Tarvarus McFadden on paper is everything you look in a top prospect. He brings the ideal frame, length, big school competition and athleticism. However the potential is not close to the production on the field. He plays high and passive in coverage vs the ball. He is at his best in off man coverage so he can close on the ball. He doesn’t play with good awareness, fails to locate the ball in the air or make a play on it. Needs to learn to use his length to neutralize receivers at the line. There are concerns smaller receivers will easily create separation for him so his game has to be physical and not let them get a clean release. But he doesn’t play that style and concern if he can develop that in the pros. He will get drafted off potential and just have to hope the player meets his potential. Extremely risky player. Early 3rd round grade.
Arrion Springs, Oregon
Game Film Evaluated:
Oregon State (2017)
Washington State (2017)
Arizona (2017)
Washington (2017)
Analysis: Good size and adequate length. He has good long speed. Tight hips and will struggle to transition from the backpedal to run downfield. Adequate tackler but gives good effort. He is best playing man coverage at the line. Not as comfortable in off man. Smooth receivers will be able to get him turned around with double moves exposing his tight hips. He looks to make a play on the ball in man coverage especially on downfield passes. He turns to locate it and at the very least will knock it away but he wants the INT. Lacks catch up speed. Top prospect Dante Pettis ran away from him for a score vs Washington.
Summary: Arrion Springs is a quality corner who has good size, speed and ball skills for the position. The issue for him is going to be quickness, fluid hips and using his length at the line to press receivers and knock them off their routes. He brings a playmaker mentality to the position and wants to go get the ball in the air. His hands are suspect and he will drop catchable INTs. He projects best as a secondary corner who needs to stay on the outside and matched up against bigger more physical receivers. Smaller undersized receivers will give him trouble. He needs to go to a scheme that plays a lot of press man or cover 2. Late 3rd round grade.
Isaiah Oliver, Colorado
Game Film Evaluated:
USC (2017)
Washington State (2017)
Utah (2017)
Analysis: Excellent frame and length for a boundary corner. He has adequate make up speed. Not overly quick and has some heavy feet. Gets caught flat footed. Struggles to keep up with receivers that can make quick cuts. He gets out muscled by physical receivers. He plays the man and rarely makes a play on the ball. When he does turn for it, its just to knock it away and not to create a turnover. Long speed is a question. Receivers consistently are able to put a few steps on him going deep.
Summary: Isaiah Oliver has excellent look with his frame and length but he is an average player at this point. This kid needs to take to coaching, work his tail off and get motivated to take his game to the level his talent suggest it can be. He is a wildly inconsistent tackler, times he wants nothing to do with it and then others he wraps up and drives through the player. He needs to get comfortable pressing receivers at the line and use that length to redirect receivers. He needs to get stronger to help him deal with the bigger physical receivers in the NFL. He may never be a top man cover corner but should be adequate zone corner primarily. He is not a playmaker, just does not look to make a play on the ball. He was called for numerous penalties because he didn’t turn his head around. High risk player. Late 3rd round grade.
Parry Nickerson, Tulane
Game Film Evaluated:
Memphis (2016)
Analysis: Good height but extremely thin frame. He needs to add 10-15 pounds of muscle to stand any chance vs the bigger receiver types. Elite level speed and he has catch up speed. Adequate tackler and gives excellent effort. He locates the ball in man coverage even downfield and able to make a play on it. He gets out muscled by bigger receivers and struggles to get off blocks from receivers on screens and such
Summary: Parry Nickerson is one of the most talented smaller school prospects in the draft. He has elite level athleticism and brings a good style of play that projects well to the next level. He will have an adjustment when getting to the pros for sure. He needs to add weight and might have to move inside to the slot because he will struggle to get any type of press with NFL receivers consistently. He projects to an adequate backup corner or nickel corner that can make plays in coverage and has tremendous speed. I think he can push for a starting job in his second season and might turn into an adequate nickel corner if he adds the strength because everything else translates well assuming he makes the transition to completely higher level of competition well. 4th round grade.
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