Here’s the eighth story of our position-by-position NFL draft series. Today, we’ll look at the cornerback.
Cornerback is one of the NFL’s important positions, especially with passing numbers at an all-time high. Every team is perpetually seeking cornerback depth. This year’s draft offers plenty.
Atop the rankings is Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, a ferocious cornerback from Cincinnati who’s expected to be drafted in the top 10 after not surrendering a touchdown in his three-year collegiate career.
LSU’s Derek Stingley, who burst onto the scene as a freshman but saw the bulk of his remaining college career spoiled by injury, might be the most talented of the group and also should go in the first round. Gardner and Stingley are the consensus top two cornerbacks. Both could be in play for the Falcons at No. 8, where the team could select a prized prospect to pair with breakout cornerback A.J. Terrell.
Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth, a Dacula native, was in the top-tier discussion before undergoing surgery on a core muscle in March. The well-rounded Booth likely is still a first-round pick. Terrell said of Booth, whom he played with one season at Clemson: “He’s a complete corner. He tackles, has great ball skills. He knows how to pick up on plays quick.”
“I talked to him before the combine just letting him know a few things to get ready for,” Terrell said. “And just to be him. Don’t try to be anybody else. Don’t try to fake an image of yourself. Just be yourself and be the best version of you (while) talking to coaches and all that.”
Other cornerbacks competing for first-round spots include Florida’s Kaiir Elam, Michigan’s Daxton Hill (a slot cornerback and safety), and Washington duo Kyler Gordon and Trent McDuffie.
“Trent McDuffie is worthy of being the No. 12 pick (to Minnesota),” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said. “He had a great career at Washington. He didn’t have many interceptions … but his ball skills showed up on tape. McDuffie tackles extremely well. He can play anywhere in the secondary. A very smart and instinctive football player.”
On the do-it-all Hill, Kiper added: “Here’s a guy who did everything at Michigan. He can play slot corner. He can play center field. He tackles so well. He can get after the quarterback. He intercepts passes. A five-star recruit coming out of high school. No. 1 safety … He’s perfect for the way the game is played today.”
Auburn’s Roger McCreary’s play has justified a round-one selection, but his measurables could prevent it. McCreary is 5-foot-11, 190 pounds with 28-7/8-inch arms (which would be among the league’s shortest) and ran a 4.5 40-yard dash. He has very little experience in zone coverage. Still, his tape and tenacity have earned him plenty of support.
“In my last season, I feel like I got better as a corner because not only did I play man, I played zone and all that stuff,” McCreary said. “Teams should invest in me because I bring a lot to the table. I play corner, nickel, a lot of positions. I’m the type of person who can adjust to the system easily. I was in, like, three types of systems at Auburn, and I feel like I did great with that.”
A lesser-known name who has drawn attention is Texas-San Antonio cornerback Tariq Woolen, a converted receiver. Woolen has tremendous physical attributes at 6-4, 205 pounds. He ran a blazing 4.26 40-yard dash, and his 42-inch vertical jump was best at the NFL scouting combine. His size-speed blend is borderline preposterous, more create-a-player in Madden than a real-life prospect.
Woolen, while raw and less tested against high-level competition, has extremely rare traits that should get him drafted within the first three rounds. If developed properly, Woolen could be a massive return on investment. But he’ll require patience.
Booth and Gardner aren’t the only cornerback prospects on their own teams. Coby Bryant, a player with good size who can play on the boundary and in the slot, helped Gardner form the foundation of the Bearcats’ defense, though his speed and quickness leave many unenthused. He projects as a middle-round pick.
Mario Goodrich, who played with Booth, fits multiple schemes and offers good size and physicality. He was first-team All-ACC last season and ended his career by earning MVP in the Cheez-It Bowl. Tigers coach Dabo Swinney has praised Goodrich for his growth as a player and person during his Clemson career. Goodrich also projects in the middle rounds.
“I don’t care what (the critics) have to say, most of them are sitting in their momma’s house somewhere,” said Goodrich, whose pre-draft workouts were interrupted by a ribs injury initially sustained at the Senior Bowl. “Whoever they have in front of me in the mock drafts, I don’t really care. It’s about getting in there and once you get in there, staying there. I feel like once I get in there, I’ll be able to produce. I think I’ll have longevity as long as I do the right things and stay healthy.”
Other notable cornerbacks: Cam Taylor-Britt (Nebraska), Derion Kendrick (Georgia), Marcus Jones (Houston), Zyon McCollum (Sam Houston State), Jalyn Armour-Davis (Alabama), Martin Emerson (Mississippi State), Josh Jobe (Alabama) and Tariq Castro-Fields (Penn State).
AJC’S 2022 POSITION-BY-POSITION SERIES
WIDE RECEIVERS – Falcons need to upgrade weapons | Top 10 WRs
RUNNING BACKS – Position has become devalued in draft | Top 10 RBs
TIGHT ENDS – Chigoziem Okonkwo survived heart condition | Top 10 TEs
OFFENSIVE LINE – Ex-UGA lineman Salyer points to wins in SEC trenches | Top 10 OL
QUARTERBACKS – Malik Willis now top QB prospect for NFL draft | Top 10 QBs
DEFENSIVE LINE – Georgia dominates D-line talk ahead of draft | Top 10 DL
LINEBACKERS – Ex-UGA star Dean the latest test of play vs. measurables | Top 10 LBs
CORNERBACKS – Lots of intrigue in 2022 NFL draft’s cornerback class, could include Falcons | Top 10 CBs
SAFETIES – Thursday, April 21
SPECIAL TEAMS – Friday, April 22
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