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First Day Cornerbacks In The 2007
NFL Draft
Exclusive content to NOPF
from NFL Draft Scout's Rob "Boomer" Rang
posted March 30, 2007 - print me!
by Rob "Boomer" Rang,
Senior Analyst, NFL Draft Scout.com
exclusive
to neworleansprofootball.com
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Michigan CB Leon Hall |
Rob "Boomer" Rang, senior analyst
for NFLDraftScout.com, joins the NOPF NFL Draft team for
the fourth year, providing his excellent analysis and draft
insight exclusively to our readers. NFLDraftScout.com is
powered by The SportsXchange, which has a network of professional
reporters who cover more than 560 professional and collegiate
teams. Their client list includes ESPN, FOXsports, USA
Today, NFL.com, CBS Sportsline, MSNBC, AOL, Yahoo, CSTV,
and numerous others. Their rankings, profiles, and mock
drafts are consistently among the industry's most accurate.
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Cornerback has been a source of concern for the New Orleans
Saints. The last Saints cornerback selected to the Pro Bowl was
Dave Waymer nearly twenty years ago (1988).
Mike McKenzie has provided
the club with a legitimate force on one side of the field since
traded to New Orleans from Green Bay. Opposite McKenzie, however,
has been a problem. Fred Thomas has struggled with consistency
throughout his 12 year career and the depth behind him is worse.
For this reason cornerback will almost surely be an area of
focus for the Saints in the 2007 draft.
As a special to NewOrleansProFootball.com, NFLDraftScout.com
Senior Analyst Rob Rang breaks down the cornerbacks he feels
are worthy of the Saints' first day consideration.
First Round:
Leon Hall, Michigan, 5-11, 193, 4.39
Four year starter
who has been recognized as among the country's finest cornerbacks
for the past two years. Struggled against Ted Ginn, Jr. and
Dwayne Jarrett to end his career with the Wolverines, but bounced
back with Defensive Player of the Game honors in the Senior Bowl
and a 4.39 showing at the Combine.
Darrelle Revis, Pittsburgh, 6-0, 204, 4.38
Talented junior
who opponents elected to stay away from in 2006. Has been a
standout since taking the field in 2004. Known for his ability
to shut down one side of the field and is also a physical run
supporter. Surprised many with his Pro Day speed, as he doesn't
necessarily look this fast on the field.
Aaron Ross, Texas, 6-1, 193: 4.44
Big play cornerback
who was recognized with the Thorpe Award in 2006 for his stellar
play. Struggled with consistency until his senior season, causing
some teams to red-flag him. Enjoyed a strong performance at
the Senior Bowl. Some teams feel he could be the top cornerback
from this class eventually.
Chris Houston, Arkansas, 5-10, 185, 4.32
Pure man to
man cornerback who is drawing a lot of comparisons to former
Razorback first round pick, Ahmad Carroll. Like Carroll, Houston
has spectacular speed and is physical in jamming receivers.
He isn't viewed as the most instinctive cornerback in the class,
but Houston enjoyed strong games against some of the best receivers
in the country, including Dwayne Jarrett, Robert Meachem, and
Dwayne Bowe.
Jonathan Wade, Tennessee, 5-10, 195, 4.36
Former track
star who made huge strides as a senior, proving himself to be
among the best all-around athletes at the position. Has to develop
more willingness to come up and support the run, but Wade enjoyed
a strong Senior Bowl and is an ascending player.
Second Round:
Marcus McCauley, Fresno State, 6-1, 203, 4.39
Entered
the 2006 season among the highest rated defensive players in
the draft, but suffered a disappointing senior campaign and was
inconsistent at the Senior Bowl, as well. That said, McCauley
possesses a rare combination of size and speed that has NFL coaches
drooling.
Eric Wright, UNLV, 5-11, 192, 4.36
Started his career
at USC and was considered to be among the most talented cornerbacks
in Trojans history. Forced to leave the school amid legal concerns
and wound up with the Rebels. Left after a junior season in which
opponents rarely looked his direction.
David Irons, Auburn, 5-10, 190, 4.44
Might lack the flashy
size or speed, but Irons hasa been a consistent performer in
the SEC throughout his career. Scouts love the mental toughness
he's shown in coming back from torn ACLs in his left knee twice.
Brother of running back Kenny Irons, also from Auburn.
Josh Wilson, Maryland, 5-09, 189, 4.39
Lacks size, but
you wouldn't know it from the way this kid plays the game. Tough,
physical, and fast, Wilson is the type who comes in to play nickel
his rookie season and develops into a capable starter in his
second or third season.
Tarell Brown, Texas, 5-11, 190, 4.45
Lacks the big play
ability of his former teammate, Aaron Ross, but Brown entered
the season ranked just as highly by most scouts as the 2006 Thorpe
Award winner. Steady, but not spectacular.
Third Round:
A.J. Davis, NC State, 5-10, 193, 4.44
Best served playing
in off-man coverage, where he can use his instincts and break
on the ball quickness, Davis is quietly among the draft's most
dependable defenders. NC State statistics claim that Davis has
never surrendered a touchdown reception.
Daymeion Hughes, Cal, 5-10, 190, 4.65
Big play cornerback
who dominated the pass happy Pac 10 conference in 2006 and was
among the Senior Bowl's most impressive performers until a hamstring
sidelined him for the game. Faster on the field than his timed
speed would indicate. Quite simply, if Hughes ran a 4.4, he'd
be a top 20 pick.
Michael Coe, Alabama State, 6-1, 190, 4.53
Former starter
at Arkansas who elected to transfer to Alabama State because
his father coached there. Standout combination of size and speed
and helped himself with a strong performance at the East-West
Shrine Game, earning a call-up to the Senior Bowl, where he also
was impressive.
Fred Bennett, South Carolina, 6-1, 196, 4.46
Natural
speedster for his size who can cover downfield. Lacks the physicality
against the run you'd expect for a play of his size, however,
and lacks natural hands.
Kenny Scott, Georgia Tech, 6-1, 179, 4.39
Gifted cover
corner whose combination of size and speed has the NFL intrigued.
Disappointed scouts a bit when he failed to dominate a fairly
pedestrian group of receivers at the East-West Shrine Game despite
his obvious physical attributes.
Courtney Brown, Cal Poly, 6-2, 200, 4.35
Intriguing small
school prospect who broke the D-II record with 7 interceptions
in 2005 and was rarely challenged as a senior. Scouts didn't
recognize him as a quality prospect due to questions about his
pure speed -- until he ran a 4.35 (twice) at his Pro Day. Could
prove to be the first player drafted who was not invited to the
Combine.
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