Bear Digest

Cornerback Talent Could Attract Bears

A year after setting their secondary through the draft, the depth of talent at cornerback could lure them back to the position at some point.
Gene Chamberlain|
Cornerback Talent Could Attract Bears
Cornerback Talent Could Attract Bears

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Chicago Bears

While talking about his first mock attempt of this offseason, NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. called this a "good cornerback class in this draft."

He even suggested there could be "five cornerbacks" go off the board in Round 1.

It's not just top talent.

The number of players given Day 2 grades by NFL Draft Bible at the cornerback position makes it apparent teams can get players after Round 1 if they look at other positions.

The Bears are unlikely to look for a cornerback first because of their need to rebuild their defensive line and add linebackers, but they're still a player or two short of standout talent at the position and could use at least one more.

"We're always going to look at pass rushers, we're going to look at offensive linemen, corners," GM Ryan Poles said after the season ended.

Cornerbacks are always needed and while the Bears have dropped their passer rating against from a league-worst 103.3 to 94.4, it still ranked only 26th best. So they can get better despite drafting Kyler Gordon last year.

Here are the top cornerbacks in the draft for this year.

THE NFL DRAFT BIBLE BIG BOARD 

Cam Smith, South Carolina

A high-quality player who can line up at all spots in the secondary and can play zone or man equally well. NFL Draft Bible says he "...owns one of the higher ceilings in terms of upside." He is ranked a first-round pick and made six interceptions and 18 pass defenses, a forced fumble and 69 tackles in five seasons.

Kelee Ringo, Georgia

He's said to have average speed but excellent size at 6-1 1/2, 205 and his speed was never a problem. NFLDB says he "was always in the wideout's hip pocket." A chiseled athlete who might lack the change of direction and feel for the slot, but he shouldn't have to play there at his size. He made four interceptions, 15 pass defenses, 76 tackles and three tackles for loss.

Joey Porter Jr., Penn State

Ranked No. 1 by Mel Kiper for cornerbacks. Ideal size for outise cornerback at 6 1 1/2, 205 and has extensive experience in zone coverage. He is the son of the former Steelers linebacker. His pedigree shows, but scouts say he can become a bit too grabby in coverage. NFLDB gives him a second-round grade. He made 20 pass defenses, an interception and 113 tackles.

Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

Another in large group of long athletes who can excel at outside cornerback in this draft. He shows good closing speed with a willingness to hit according to NFLDB. The knock on him is that he really only showed elite play for one year and he is more of a natural man-to-man coverage corner who needs work in zone play. He made 17 pass defenses, four interceptions and six tackles for loss.

Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

Fighting Illini's high-energy player who leads and talks a lot, he has a capability of playing in the slot or outside at 5-11, 183. His excellent quick twitch ability and closing speed makes him a possible slot and he was a track athlete—high jumper and sprinter—who can win in a dead sprint downfield.

He played four years for the Illini and had five interceptions, 2 pass defenses, 11 1/2 tackles for loss, 157 tackles and three fumble recoveries.

Clark Phillips III, Utah

A bit smaller than the Bears cornerback from Utah, Jaylon Johnson, but very fast at an estimated 4.44-second 40 speed. NFLDB says there is skepticism he can play outside but definitely can be a slot cornerback because of his football intelligence and quick-twitch ability. He made nine interceptions and returned four for touchdowns, forced a fumble and recovered one and had 110 tackles. NFLDB gives him a late second-round grade.

Eli Ricks, Alabama

Taller cornerback at 6-1 1/2, 196 with good ball skills. He has the makeup of a top defensive back and must build on his technique. NFLDB says he might need to add some strength but all the skills and natural talent are there. He was a No. 1 prospect in all of Florida coming out of high school, made five interceptions and two returns for TDs, 44 tackles, three interceptions and 10 pass defenses. It is suggested by scouts he needs to improve his run defense and at worst is a second-round pick.

Garrett Williams, Syracuse

A 5-11, 188-pounder who is more of a man-to-man and press coverage corner. He needs to work on his zone coverage. NFLDB suggests he locks his eyes in the QB and gets caught looking in the backfield. His hand-eye coordination and ability to play the ball are exceptional and he had 21 pass breakups, four interceptions, 152 tackles and 9 1/2 tackles for loss. He also forced a fumble and recovered one. He is coming off a torn ACL suffered in October so this is likely to impact his draft status since he can't participate in the run up to the selection process.

Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State

A lanky cornerback who has the ability to lock down on cornerbacks. At 6-foot, 180, who is expected to show 4.45-second speed at the combine. He is said by scouts to have elite ball skill and made eight interceptions. He made six TD returns and is a deadly threat when he gets in the open field. Made 14 interceptions, one forced fumble, 20 pass deflections and 150 tackles.

DJ Turner, Michigan

A twitch, smaller athlete who is 5-9, 172 but actually has shown he can play outside in college and has covered players like Quentin Johnston, Jayden Reed, Michael Tinsley, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jacob Copeland. However, NFL teams will likely direct him to the slot. His great speed allows him to stay with those top receivers. He made three interceptions, a fumble recovery, 17 pass breakups and 69 tackles in two full seasons. NFLDB gives him a second-round grade.

Tyrique Stevenson, Miami

A strong run defender who is built solidly at 6-foot, 210. Scouts say he knows how to shed blocks and wrap up ball carriers. He played little press coverage in college but does have the physicality to do it. His length and foot speed earned him a second-round grade from NFLDB. He made three interceptions, 21 pass breakups and 115 tackles.

Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M

Not the Bears' Jaylon Jones, but another cornerback by the same name. He is 6-2, 205 and his size is so good that he was used both at safety and corenrback. He made three interceptions, 12 pass breakups and 98 tackles with one fumble recovery. His speed is said to be average but he plays with good acceleration for being a smooth, long strider. He has great reaction to route breaks which also lets him make up for average speed. Made three interceptions, 12 pass breakups, a fumble recovery and 98 tackles.

Julius Brents, Kansas State

A Senior Bowl practice week star, who is 6-3, 204 and has showed in Mobile that he can play man-to-man as well as zone. He is an excellent athlete who had a 39-3 vertical leap in high school. He has a third-round grade and made six interceptions in college with 10 pass breakups and a forced fumble. Also made 111 tackles.

Scouting assessments per NFL Draft Bible, Mel Kiper, Pro Football Focus and Walterfootball.com.

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.

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