2016 NFL Draft: Cornerback

This cornerback class has a few A caliber prospects and includes a few highly sought after cover corners with size.

Jalen Ramsey-CB-Florida State-6’1”-209-Top 10-97

Deion Sanders started at cornerback as a freshman for the Seminoles, and no one accomplished that feat for nearly three decades until Jalen Ramsey did it in 2013. As a three year starter in Tallahassee, Ramsey played all over the defensive backfield, beginning at corner and safety, moving to a rover position as a sophomore (79 tackles) and playing his final season as a true cornerback. He has phenomenal physical gifts for a defensive back starting with his height weight that is further enhanced with orangutan-like 33.5” arms. On top of that he ran a good not great 4.41 second 40 yard dash followed up by a terrific 41.5” vertical leap. Basically he’s the perfect press cornerback except he doesn’t have exceptional speed. On film he’s lacking in aggressiveness and basic cornerback know how including hand placement and trail technique. I think he’s raw from a man coverage standpoint, and seeing as that’s going to be his greatest value it knocks him down a few pegs from a Patrick Peterson to more of a Stephon Gilmore or Morris Claiborne type prospect. He should be good but will need coaching, and all sign point to him being an exceptional guy who should be a quick learner. If corner doesn’t work out can be Eric Berry at the safety spot.

Vernon Hargreaves-CB-Florida-5’10”-204-1st Round-96

Three years a Gator, three years a 1st Team All SEC cornerback. Do I need to write any more? He’s ultra competitive which is among the most important traits in a cornerback. He might be my favorite player in the draft, so why is he not my #1 cornerback? Because he is 5’10” with 30.5” arms and a 4.50 in the 40 yard dash. Not exactly the physical tools that Ramsey brings to the table. But Hargreaves is fiery and brings the ruckus in the running and passing game. He plays excellent positional defense and has quicks like you dream about with a terrific 3.98 second 20 yard shuttle. He reminds me of Janoris Jenkins but Hargreaves comes with zero character issues sir.

Eli Apple-CB-Ohio State-6’1”-199-1st Round-90

Another taller cornerback although he has shorter arms than Ramsey at a respectable 31.5 inches. Apple was a two year starter for the Buckeyes and was good enough in 2015 to be voted 2nd Team All Big 10. He ran a very good 40 yard dash at the combine clocking in at 4.40 seconds and that speed more or less matches his playing speed. I found this great video of all passes thrown at Eli Apple in 2015 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_Vzo_hwUUg) and the big thing that jumps out is how handsy he is down the field. He drew a fair amount of flags in college and that grabbing will not fly at the next level. He is definitely athletic but does not come out of his backpedal as well as you would like, but that can improve. Bottomline, Apple is built like Josh Norman and at 20 years old some coaching could make him a very very good cornerback in 2018 and beyond. The time needed for development and the amount of improvement he needs knocks him to the end of the first for me.

William Jackson-CB-Houston-6’0”-189-1st/2nd Round-91

Played left cornerback for the Cougars as a two year full time starter. Jackson ran a blazing 4.37 second 40 yard dash at the combine and his film backs up that speed. He has good size for the position including 31.75” arms and enough quickness to break on slants and hitch routes. I haven’t seen him play press so that might be a skill to develop but right now he can start in the NFL as an off the line cover guy. Jackson seems to be a fiery player and that puts him ahead of Apple for me.