NFL Combine: Cornerback Ranking – What Do They Need To Prove?

Who are the best cornerbacks going into the NFL Combine, and what do they need to prove in Indianapolis?

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1. Jalen Ramsey, Florida State

Pre-Combine Draft Projection: Top Ten Overall

What He Needs To Prove

– Big enough to be a safety, athletic enough to be a corner, the only possible question mark – and it’s hardly a big deal – is figuring out what he is. He’s a corner, but he needs to be quick enough and smooth enough.

– He’s going to be off the charts in every drill, but is he smooth? How’s his change of direction? He can’t look like a safety trying out to be a lockdown corner.

– The tools are undeniable, but does he have IT? Everyone wants the No. 1 shutdown corner to walk into the building knowing the other team’s top receiver might as well not show up. Does he have enough of a jerkweed streak? He might be too nice.

2. Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida

Pre-Combine Draft Projection: First Round

What He Needs To Prove

– It’s all about his 40. There’s no question that he can play, and he’s tough for his size, but does he have the raw wheels? If he’s under 4.5 he’ll be just fine. The scouts will be looking for excuses to like him.

– Just don’t be miserable on the bench. He’s not huge, and he’ll try to get physical, but if he can come up with a decent look in the weight room, it might be cosmetic, but it’ll matter.

– Is his style of play a concern? He’s tough and fearless, but can he hold up? It’s a crazy knock, but it’s almost as if he needs to be more of a finesse player at times considering he’s so good.

3. Mackensie Alexander, Clemson

Pre-Combine Draft Projection: First Round

What He Needs To Prove

– Does size matter? He’s supposedly around 5-11 and 190 pounds, but is that going to be a big deal in any way compared to the other top corners?

– How is he in the short drills? He’s a great football player, but is he twitchy enough? He’ll look smooth through the cones, but times might matter here.

– The stronger he can be, the better. That’s not normally a huge deal for corners, but being good on the bench would blow off the size concerns.

4. Eli Apple, Ohio State

Pre-Combine Draft Projection: Second Round

What He Needs To Prove

– The interview and evaluation process will be what everyone is waiting for. Just a sophomore coming out, how well does he read and react on the board?

– Is he strong for his size? He has the bulk for a top corner, but can he show any sort of thump to be seen as a potential safety in the near future? A good bench would be great.

– How smooth does he look? The talent and production aren’t in question, but can he look the part compared to the smaller, quicker corners?

5. Jalen Mills, LSU

Pre-Combine Draft Projection: Second Round

What He Needs To Prove

– Is he a safety or a corner? He has the size and athleticism to be either, but he might not be strong enough or the right type to be a killer safety. He has to be athletic enough in workouts to be a true corner.

– The interview process matters. He had off-the-field issues a few years ago, and considering the NFL’s issues with domestic violence, there can’t be a red flag.

– The 40 is vital. He can play, and he’s a great football player, but can he be a true difference-maker as a No. 1 corner? HE needs to hover around the 4.4s.

6. Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech

Pre-Combine Draft Projection: Second Round

What He Needs To Prove

– Is his knee okay? There’s been enough time to let his knee heal up after trying to fight through it. Is his athleticism and quickness back to norm?

– Just how fast is he? The agility drills will be what everyone wants to see, but he loses a round if he’s any slower than a 4.5.

– The interview process is going to be vital. He’s a high-character guy, but he needs to get on the board and show what he can diagnose considering he takes a lot of chances – for good and bad.

7. Xavien Howard, Baylor

Pre-Combine Draft Projection: Fourth Round

What He Needs To Prove

– Really big with the versatility to potentially be a safety, he needs to run and workout like a corner to play his true position. Otherwise, he’ll be seen as more of a projection.

– Can he use his feet? He mauls receivers – which is usually a positive – but he’s a grabber and he can hit. He has to be quick enough to be seen as a No.1 receiver.

– He’s going to need polish and time. How loose are his hips and how quick can he flip? He’ll have to make up for other issues with athleticism.

8. Artie Burns, Miami

Pre-Combine Draft Projection: Third Round

What He Needs To Prove

– Just how much more can he show than the 40? If all goes according to plan, the track star should rip off a 4.3 without breathing hard. However, if he’s in the mid-4.4s, the excitement over his prospects will go bye-bye.

– Can he play? He’s not a track guy playing football, but he needs work. The most polished he can look, the more his expected great 40 time will stand out.

– Ball skills. Catch everything, get the footwork right, look like a corner. He has to look like a high-energy producer and possibility worth the work and time.

9. William Jackson, Houston

Pre-Combine Draft Projection: Second Round

What He Needs To Prove

– He’s got good size and excellent production, but how quick is he? He’s smooth and can move, but he’s not necessarily a quick-twitch corner.

– He might be sort of a tweener – he’s not a huge hitter, and he’s not a devastating athlete. It would be great if he could come up with one big thing he could do at the highest of levels.

– He’s a pure cover-corner and not great against the run. He’s going to have to look and feel like a speed defender who can handle the quicker receivers.

10. Zack Sanchez, Oklahoma

Pre-Combine Draft Projection: Fourth Round

What He Needs To Prove

– More of a football player than an athlete, in Indy, he’ll have to be more of an athlete.

– Is he big enough to play his style in the NFL? He’s a great hitter and a physical tackler, but he’s built like a placekicker. Durability is going to be a concern, so the more he can look like a quick all-around corner, the better.

– Not known as a technician, he can’t take a slew of wasted steps and he has to be fluid. Is he clunky? Everyone will like the tape, but the tools have to match.

Other Corners Invited To The Combine (alphabetically)

Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Minnesota
James Bradberry, Samford
Anthony Brown, Purdue

Juston Burris, NC State
Taveze Calhoun, Mississippi State
Maurice Canady, Virginia
Ken Crawley, Colorado
Sean Davis, Maryland
Deandre Elliott, Colorado State

Deiondre’ Hall, Northern Iowa
De’Vante Harris, Texas A&M
Cyrus Jones, Alabama
Jonathan Jones, Auburn
Harlan Miller, SE Louisiana
Eric Murray, Minnesota
Kevin Peterson, Oklahoma State
Jimmy Pruitt, San Jose State

Rashard Robinson, LSU
Keivarae Russell, Notre Dame
Zack Sanchez, Oklahoma
Kevon Seymour, USC
Leshaun Sims, Southern Utah
Ryan Smith, North Carolina Central
Cleveland Wallace, San Jose State
D.J. White, Georgia Tech
Brandon Williams, Texas A&M
Daryl Worley, West Virginia
Tavon Young, Temple