Top 10 Cornerbacks in the NFL Draft

Darqueze Dennard

One of the centerpieces on a Michigan State team that came within a few plays of a national title berth, Darqueze Dennard proved time and again to be an absolute force in the Spartans' secondary. The 5-foot-11, 199-pounder intercepted four passes, broke up 10 and compiled a career-high 62 tackles. Most of Dennard's college success came out of aggressive, man-coverage looks. He showed an extreme willingness to get up into the face of opposing receivers, jamming them at the line of scrimmage and driving them out of their routes. His play actually toed the penalty line, something that he will have to watch at the next level. <italics>Draft projection: Top 20</italics>

Justin Gilbert

Justin Gilbert was one of the stars of the 2014 combine, posting a sub-4.4 40 time and tossing up 20 reps on the bench press. At 6-0 and a bit more than 200 pounds, he fits the mold NFL teams are searching for at the cornerback position -- big, strong and athletic. Like 2011 first-rounder Patrick Peterson, Gilbert also put in some quality work as a return man. He averaged 26.3 yards per kickoff return during his Cowboys career, while taking six back to the house. Gilbert, who shows a knack for making plays on the ball, picked off seven passes this past season. No one would raise an eyebrow if Gilbert became the first corner drafted this year. <italics>Draft projection: Top 20 </italics>

Jason Verrett

Oh, but for another couple inches of height. That (and offseason shoulder surgery) is really all that is standing between 5-foot-9 Jason Verrett being a lock in the top 20. Even though he may be undersized by NFL standards, Verrett thrived at TCU despite matching up with bigger receivers. He may have to begin showing his wares as a slot corner at the next level, though it is far from out of the question that a defensive coordinator tries out Verrett as a top-two guy. Look no further than Verrett's stats for evidence of his ball-hawking abilities: 22 pass break-ups in 2012, 14 more in '13, plus nine career picks. <italics>Draft projection: Late Round 1</italics>

Lamarcus Joyner

Size is even more of an issue here -- Lamarcus Joyner stands 5-foot-8, one inch shorter than TCU's Jason Verrett. Because of that, he too is seen mostly as a slot cornerback, though he also spent two of his Florida State seasons starting at safety. The team that drafts him then may envision Joyner in a Tyrann Mathieu-like hybrid role, playing safety on early downs and dropping into the slot against three-receiver looks. The versatility should be a boost for Joyner's draft stock come May. <italics>Draft projection: Round 2</italics>

Marcus Roberson

The raw traits may not be there in comparison to some others in this class, but Marcus Roberson very much knows how to play his position. He showed off more during 2012 (14 pass deflections, three interceptions) than during an injury-plagued, inconsistent 2013. The Roberson of 2012, though, might be worthy of a first-round pick, and he's definitely capable of holding his own in the NFL. The injury woes will be a concern for NFL teams: Roberson missed five games last season with various ailments. At the 4.61 40 time he ran at the combine, Roberson does not have the quickness to make up for playing at less than 100 percent. But when he's on, he can frustrate the heck out of an opposing receiver. <italics>Draft projection: Round 2</italics>

Kyle Fuller

Just how high can Kyle Fuller climb? Once a rather clear Day 2 candidate, Fuller's work at the combine (4.49 40, 4.19 short shuttle, 128-inch broad jump) put to rest lingering concerns over his health ? the Virginia Tech product needed sports hernia surgery in November, then sat out the Senior Bowl while rehabbing. Now that he has made his way back on the field, Fuller has climbed into the Round 1 mix, even surpassing every prospect but possibly Justin Gilbert in some eyes. <italics>Draft projection: Late Round 1-Round 2</italics>

Bradley Roby

NFL teams are leery of players they feel they may have to motivate. Bradley Roby falls under that umbrella following a tough 2013, one that saw him regress from the dominant form he showed in 2012. He was not quite as bad as his reputation now tells ? a disastrous early matchup with Wisconsin's Jared Abbrederis sent his stock reeling. But can he rediscover his play from two years ago? <italics>Draft projection: Late Round 1-Round 2</italics>

Bashaud Breeland

Bashaud Breeland may have benefited from another year at Clemson, but he nonetheless figures to be gone by sometime on Day 2. He projects, at least early in his career, as a very solid No. 2 or No. 3 cornerback, capable of matching up with secondary receivers. That is especially true if he lands somewhere that allows him to play bump-and-run coverage. He was at his best for the Tigers when pressing at the line, then using his athleticism to turn and track. <italics>Draft projection: Round 2-3</italics>

Antone Exum

Another Hokies cornerback, another list of injury concerns. Antone Exum blew out his knee playing pick-up basketball in January 2013, then struggled with a bum ankle once he made it back late in the year. As a result, NFL GMs eyeing Exum have to rely on his 2012 tape to tell the story. The 6-0, 213-pounder turned in a 4.59 40 at the combine, offering up evidence in his workout there that he will be ready to roll for training camp. <italics>Draft projection: Round 3</italics>

Pierre Desir

From the small-school ranks comes Pierre Desir, a long and lean cornerback at 6-foot-1, 198 pounds with 33-inch arms. Desir's size alone will earn him a shot in the NFL, though he has earned that opportunity with his play. Quarterbacks avoided Desir with gusto, a nod to his shutdown abilities. He did not open the door for those QBs at all, either, moving his feet well to stay with his assigned receiver. There is a lot to like here, particularly if Desir can become more of a physically imposing defensive back. In the meantime, he will rely on his length and speed to get the job done. <italics>Draft projection: Round 3</italics> GALLERY: <italics>Top 10 Defensive Ends in the NFL Draft</italics> GALLERY: <italics>Top 10 Defensive Tackles in the NFL Draft</italics> GALLERY: <italics>Top 10 Linebackers in the NFL Draft</italics>