1. Trae Waynes*, Michigan State (6010, 183#)
There’s a lot to like from a coverage stand-point. Great length and agility for position and can stick in players’ pockets. Only plays boundary corner for MSU like Dennard and will have to adjust to covering a wider area of the field. A little light in the pants but shows effort in run game and screen support. I think he’s a solid prospect. Round 1
2. Marcus Peters*, Washington (6000, 198#)
There is a ton to like athletically. Big, stong, long for a CB and shows plenty of speed on tape. Off-field issues are going to matter, but it’ss clear 1st round talent on tape. Very versatile in coverages and a legit outside-the-numbers defender at the next level. Round 1
3. P.J. Williams*, Florida St. (6000, 195#)
Engaged and tough during plays but can be overly aggressive and will be penalized heavily in NFL during learning curve. Must control emotions better. Tempting athleticism, size and length for position and likes to be aggressive in coverages. FSU had him run blitz a lot from slot position and is adept at that aspect of CB play. Round 1-2
4. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon (5100, 195#)
Looks like an ideal slot defender. Played all over for Oregon, very active in play-calling and awareness of what offenses were doing. Looks to have exceptional football IQ. Plenty of physical traits to like and is not afraid to tackle in the run game. Combine will matter a bit to judge top end speed and agility but his film is very solid (but not spectacular). Round 2
5. Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest (6010, 175#)
Looks long and fast but might not have elite hips of some guys. Plays off coverage a lot and has good ball awareness and downhill closing speed. Could do a bit better in run support but is decent for his size right now. Could use to gain 10 lbs. Round 2
6. Quinten Rollins, Miami Ohio (5110, 193#)
Really liked his tape because of versatility. Very tough and looks like a good enough CB or FS at the next level. Good ball awareness and was responsible for wide side man-to-man coverage often. Breaks off his man very well and supports group secondary play. Small school concerns but he’s got a lot to offer a team. Check speed. Round 2-3
7. Ronald Darby*, Florida State (5110, 188#)
Freak athlete with elite speed for position but little-to-no film on player and a true junior early entry candidate. Really blew-up combine and is a riser on many boards. Will have to track down tape or scouting reports on player later in process. Figure round 2-3 now that he ran a sub 4.40 40-yard dash.
8. D’Joun Smith, Florida Atlantic (5100, 187#)
There’s a lot of man-to-man talent and shows ability to stick in a guys pocket, turn and locate ball in the air. Tough enough and shows good fundementals. Round 2-3
9. Steven Nelson, Oregon State (5100, 197#)
Has a lot to like on tape. Plays physical but has great awareness when to lay off on the hand checking stuff. Good fundamentals and downhill support on plays in front of him. Can cover shallow cross and is quick in/out of breaks. Solid round 3 prospect in my book.
10. Eric Rowe, Utah (6005, 204#)
Big and physical CB that reminds me a bit of Collins. Plays more physically than Collins and is probably better in 2-3 second coverages. Not quite elite enough in speed/quicks to be a dominant coverage defender. Will have to learn to use size to his advantage within the NFL rules system to be effective.
Round 3-4
11. Jalen Collins*, LSU (6020,195#)
Big. Looks like a safety but does not quite get his nose dirty enough to be a safety. Top-end speed will matter. Plays a bit tentative around the line-of-scrimmage. Don’t be tempted on size and think he’s another Sherman/Chancelor type player. Round 3-4
12. Alex Carter, Stanford (6000, 200#)
The size is tempting but I see a bit of stiffness in his game that worried me. His backpedal and hip flip are a bit week and I think he will really struggle with quicker, smaller receivers at the next level. Gives up windows in coverage that college QB’s won’t take but NFL QB’s will take advantage of. Round 3-4
13. Charles Gaines*, Louisville (5100, 180#)
A bit undersized but has legit speed and ball awareness for the position and is an asset on special teams (coverage and return game). Not quite sure why he’s so low on list other than size but has decent arm length to make up for his height. Really has an extra gear when he needs it to stick with people. Think he’s a round 4 prospect.
14. Lorenzo Doss*, Tulane (5110, 175#)
I really like his film. Shows natural ability to do a lot of things correctly and his fundamentals, backpedal and hip flip are exceptional. Might be a project player the first couple of seasons, but there is a lot of potential in this pick. Round 4
15. Kevin White, TCU (5093, 180#)
Jitterbug defender that is exceptional in sticking with man and playing ball in air but lacks height/length to probably play too much on the outside at the next level. A lot to like on his film and plays tougher than his size would indicate. Should contribute on special teams. Ball awareness and ability to break underneath on routes is his best attribute and could surprise as a productive NFL player despite size limitations. Round 4
16. Josh Shaw, USC (6005, 203#)
Played free safety in game I watched vs. ARZ. Was not very impressed and does not look like a high-IQ type player on film. Looks like he’s going through the motions and letting the play dictate him, not a lot of anticipation. Would likely not include him on the CB list and looks like a round 4 free safety project only because of natural athletic ability and not tape. Has some off-field baggage.
17. Doran Grant, OSU (5103, 199#)
Not a bad player, but nothing really jumps off the film. Played outside for OSU in a lot of man/zone concepts but didn’t show off lots of natural instincts and maybe a step late on being a really good player. Decent size and strength and should contribute on special teams make him a 4-5 round flyer.
18. Ladarius Gunter, Miami (6013, 200#)
Plays free safety and edge corner in tape I watched vs. Duke. Another great size/athlete prospect that a lot will come down to top-end speed and change of direction to see if a permanent roll of outside CB is possible (it’s not). His free safety experience is a pretty good plus as a Plan B and his size should permit contributing roll on special teams. Round 4-5 (Free Safety)
19. Quandre Diggs, Texas (5086, 196#)
Short, stocky slot defender that plays physical in the intermediate passing game. Did not see much down the field and drops off in zone concepts after coverages. Tough to project spot at next level and looks limited to inside work or possible free safety. Speed and agility drills will mean a lot for this prospect. Round 4-5
20. Jacoby Glenn*, Central Florida (6000, 180#)
Was supposed to be a speedster but ran only 4.64 at combine. No tape of any games on this redshirt sophomore that is leaving college early. Have seen anything from round 2 to round 5 on the guy.