The Red Zone Report | 2008 NFL Draft Analysis: CBs

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2008 NFL Draft Analysis: CBs - Take these picks to the house

By Kelsey McCarson ⋅ February 20, 2008 ⋅ Subscribe to The Red Zone Report

No man is an island, but several prospects will be expected to play football on one for their new teams after this year’s NFL Draft. Let’s take a look at the top cornerbacks looking to make their reservations sooner rather than later.

1. Leodis McKelvin, Troy: McKelvin has all the physical skills one could ask for to be a classic shutdown cornerback. He possesses incredible speed, is very athletic and has good size. His biggest weakness is his technique which should rapidly improve with the kind of coaching he’ll receive in the NFL. McKelvin is a solid tackler and dynamic return man. Look for McKelvin to be the next great NFL player from Troy (Demarcus Ware, Osi Umenyiora).

2. Aqib Talib, Kansas: Talib is not only a good corner, but he’s also an exceptional return man. He’s a playmaker who is a constant threat to take it to the house from anywhere on the field. Talib is big, fast and strong, but he gambles too much in coverage and doesn’t have the kind of super-speed that makes that okay. Talib also played a bit of WR in college so his versatility might help him nab the top corner spot come draft day.

3. Mike Jenkins, South Florida: Jenkins is a big, fast corner with natural cover skills. He plays instinctively, but isn’t a great tackler. Still, NFL GMs’ biggest concern about Jenkins has little to do with his on-the-field performance, which is a nice way to say he has character issues. Jenkins should be a 1st round pick unless something silly happens in his personal life before draft day.

4. Patrick Lee, Auburn: Lee is probably the most intriguing CB prospect in the draft. Lee has very good size and bulk (6′0″, 202 lbs). He also runs a 4.4 and is a great special teams player. He’s a tough tackler and projects to have all the physical tools necessary to make it in the NFL. The question about Lee is his experience. He saw limited time on the field for Auburn which raises concerns about his ability to grasp the complex coverage schemes used in the NFL.

5. Reggie Smith, Oklahoma: Smith has the size, speed and toughness to excel at the CB posistion in the NFL, but by Draft Day NFL clubs will need to decide if he’s a better fit at CB or safety. He spent most of his first two seasons at safety and is probably one of the top 2 safeties in the draft in a pretty weak class at that position, but he starred at corner this past season. Either way, this Sooner talent is sure to shine.

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6. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennesse State: Rodgers-Cromartie is 6′2″ with long arms and great speed. The biggest knock on him is the competition he played against at Tenn St. Will he be able to adjust to covering NFL receivers? Most scouts believe so, and so do I.

7. Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech: When not moonlighting as lead singer for a band called The Killers, Flowers is enjoying his back-to-back All-American status as an elite college cover corner. Okay, Flowers isn’t that guy for The Killers, but he is that guy from VT. Flowers is a solid player and a good bet to be at least a decent corner in the NFL, with the potential to be spectacular.

8. Antoine Cason, Arizona: If anyone is prepared to go on the island that is the NFL cornerback position, its Antoine Cason. Cason played in Arizona’s blitz heavy defense that forced him to man-up on receivers more often than not, and he excelled at it, which has caught the eyes of several NFL scouts. He is fast and physical, but needs to develop better tackling skills if he’s to reach his potential. If Cason has a good combine, his stock could rise considerably come Draft Day.

9. Tracy Porter, Indiana: “Fast” Tracy Porter runs a legit 4.3 and was a consistent performer in the Big 10, too. He has decent size at 5′11″, but there are questions regarding his ability in run support. Luckily, Porter is a skilled return man which should help him land a spot in this years draft.

10. Jack Ikegwuonu, Wisconsin: Ikegwuonu has pretty good size (6 feet 1, 202 pounds) and has been timed by school officials in the 4.4 range. After a good junior season, Ikegwuonu decided to give-up his final year of eligibility to enter the draft. He’s fast and physical, but is he ready for the next level? Unfortunately, teams will have draft him to evaluate him further because he tore his anterior cruciate ligament during a pre-draft workout.

Other corners of note are Terrell Thomas of USC, Terrence Wheatley of Colorado and Justin King of Penn St. Any of these 3 guys could find their way onto the list if they have a good showing at the combine.

And if you like sleepers, pay attention to Dowayne Davis from Syracuse. He can play both corner and safety plus he can fly, with school officials clocking him in the 4.4 range in the forty.