There's no argument when it comes to one of the Bengals top needs; the cornerback position stands alone as a glaring need. It's also a common thought that with one of their first round picks, the Bengals will more than likely draft a cornerback. Even with a rookie injected into the CB depth chart, Cincinnati will need more help. They'll need to sign a free agent and maybe even draft another CB in the middle rounds of the draft.
Here are my cornerback rankings, with help from David Hamilton (follow him on twitter), who's been working with me grading and evaluating this deep CB class. These rankings and quick breakdowns have a little bit of a twist to them. I'll be grading their positional skills 1-5 to see where each prospects match up. It will help you get familiar with some players you may not know and also help you make the decision on who fits best for the Bengals. The lower the amount total, the better the prospect (in theory).
Grading Scale
1 |
Elite Skill, This player is one of the best in the NFL at this particular attribute |
2 |
Good Skill, Above average in this phase of the game |
3 |
Average Skill, NFL average in this category |
4 |
Below average Skill, Could be a liability at times |
5 |
Bad Skills, Not fit for NFL at this aspect of the game |
1) Morris Claiborne. School: LSU, Height: 5'11", Weight: 188
2011 Stats: 6 INT, 32 Tackles, 2 Touchdowns (Kick return and INT)
Draft Projection: Top 5
Size |
1 |
Perfect height and length of most elite NFL CBs |
Speed |
2 |
Looks like a 4.45 guy in games, ran 4.47 at NFL Combine |
Athleticism |
2 |
Plus change of direction, strength and return skills |
Man Coverage |
1 |
Can press, play off and has great anticipation skills |
Zone Coverage |
1 |
Understands zone concepts, reads the QB, and makes a play |
Vs. Run |
2 |
Willing tackler and run defender but needs work on contain and angles |
Ball Skills |
1 |
Elite ball skills, can track ball and has great field/ball awareness |
Experience |
2 |
2-year starter in the SEC on one of the best defenses in country |
TOTAL | 13 |
2) Stephon Gilmore. School: South Carolina, Height: 6'0", Weight: 193 lbs.
2011 Stats: 3 Interceptions, 46 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumbles
Draft Projection: Top 25
Click here for Full Scouting Report
Size |
1 |
Great height and length to go with good bulk |
Speed |
2 |
Ran a 4.40 at Combine but plays like a 4.45 guy |
Athleticism |
2 |
Good hips & feet for a CB his size, tackler & blitzer, Return man, Wildcat QB |
Man Coverage |
2 |
Has every tool you look for in a man cover CB, needs refinement & experience |
Zone Coverage |
2 |
Has a great deal of experience in zone but wasn't his strongest point |
Vs. Run |
1 |
Very aggressive, fights through or controls blockers, willing tackler |
Ball Skills |
2 |
Good hands & bats balls away, loses track of ball at times |
Experience |
2 |
Came out early (jr.), played 30+ games in SEC, relatively new to CB |
TOTAL | 14 |
3) Dre Kirkpatrick, School: Alabama, Height: 6'2" Weight: 186
2011 Stats: 0 INT, 30 Tackles, 2 Forced Fumbles
Draft Projection: Top 25
Click here for Full Scouting Report
Size |
2 |
Great height, Shorter arms, Thin frame |
Speed |
2 |
Ran 4.43 at combine, faster than expected, doesn't always play to that speed |
Athleticism |
3 |
Not very agile or flexible, He's at best when moving forward |
Man Coverage |
3 |
Press man is solid, off man is shaky, smaller, quicker WRs a tough match |
Zone Coverage |
1 |
If Kirkpatrick can see it, he can defend it with the best of them |
Vs. Run |
1 |
Tremendous tackler and hitter, Diagnoses and reacts quickly |
Ball Skills |
4 |
Inconsistent hands, below average ball-awareness |
Experience |
2 |
Only started 2-seasons, Played in SEC vs. top WRs |
TOTAL | 18 |
4) Janoris Jenkins, School: Northern Alabama, Height: 5'9.5", Weight: 193
2011 Stats: 2 Interceptions, 53 Tackles, 3 PR TD
Draft Projection: Between picks 20, 40
Click here for Full Scouting Report
Size |
3 |
Shorter than average but has long arms and good bulk |
Speed |
2 |
Quicker than fast, Ran 4.44 at Combine, Good recovery speed |
Athleticism |
1 |
Agility, acceleration and quickness are all elite ability, Good return man also |
Man Coverage |
1 |
Natural in press or off coverage, Anticipation skills are Rare |
Zone Coverage |
3 |
Slow to react in zone, Trouble processing information quickly? |
Vs. Run |
3 |
He isn't always willing but he's a pretty good wrap-up tackler, size a factor |
Ball Skills |
2 |
Reacts well and can track the ball easily, Good hands |
Experience |
1 |
4-year starter with 3-years in the SEC vs. elite WRs |
TOTAL | 16 |
5) Brandon Boykin, School: Georgia, Height: 5'9", Weight: 182 lbs.
2011 Stats: 3 INT, 50 Tackles, 2 Forced Fumbles, 1 PR TD
Draft Projection: Between picks 35, 55
Click here for Full Scouting Report
Size |
4 |
Below average height and bulk, solid arm length |
Speed |
1 |
Looks like a 4.35 guy, Routinely displays top speed |
Athleticism |
1 |
Great agility, acceleration, jumping, + special teams, Gadget player on offense |
Man Coverage |
1 |
Has the quickness, speed and agility to be a great man-cover CB |
Zone Coverage |
3 |
Looks comfortable and reads quickly, not great in press-zone or cover-2 |
Vs. Run |
3 |
Average only because of size limitations, willing and solid tackler |
Ball Skills |
2 |
Can almost get to any ball in his vicinity, speed & ball tracking leads to PDs |
Experience |
1 |
3-year player in SEC vs. Elite WRs, Practiced against A.J. Green |
TOTAL | 16 |
6) Jamell Fleming, School: Oklahoma, Height: 5'10.5", Weight, 203 lbs.
2011 Stats: 60 Tackles, 2 INT, 3 Forced Fumbles
Draft Projection: Between picks 30, 50
Size |
2 |
Slightly shorter than average but great bulk, strength & long arms |
Speed |
3 |
Ran 4.43 at combine but looks slower than that in games |
Athleticism |
2 |
Fluid hips, good balance, gets TFLs, sacks and TDs |
Man Coverage |
2 |
Strong in press man and doesn't give much separation, recovery speed lacks |
Zone Coverage |
2 |
Reads and diagnoses well but doesn't look laterally that quick |
Vs. Run |
2 |
Good tackler and very strong upper body, gets TFL frequently |
Ball Skills |
2 |
Had 5 Interceptions in 2010 but dropped to 2 Interceptions in 2011, good hands |
Experience |
3 |
2-year starter in a pass heavy conference |
TOTAL | 18 |
7) Jayron Hosley, School: Virginia Tech, Height: 5-10 Weight: 178 lbs.
2011 Stats: 3 Interceptions, 59 Tackles, 2 Forced Fumbles
Draft Projection: Between picks 40, 60
Size |
4 |
Below average height, weight and arm length |
Speed |
1 |
Ran 4.38 at Combine, displays his recovery speed often |
Athleticism |
1 |
Rare agility and acceleration to go with top speed, Great punt returner |
Man Coverage |
3 |
Not great in press, high backpedal, transition is shaky |
Zone Coverage |
1 |
Elite instincts and anticipation, reads and understands concepts |
Vs. Run |
3 |
Willing but inconsistent tackler, size hurts him against big ball-carriers |
Ball Skills |
1 |
9 Interceptions in 2010 and 34 passes defensed in last two years show rare ability |
Experience |
3 |
2-year starter in ACC |
TOTAL | 17 |
8) Casey Hayward, School: Vanderbilt, Height: 5-11, Weight: 192 lbs.
2011 Stats: 7 Interceptions, 62 Tackles, Interception Return For Touchdown
Draft Projection: Between picks 45, 65
Size |
2 |
Good height and bulk, Average arm length |
Speed |
3 |
4.53 at the Combine, Long & Recovery speed is a question |
Athleticism |
2 |
Smooth player, natural athlete, plays bigger than he is, 6.76 cone drill-Combine |
Man Coverage |
3 |
Locks onto the WR and sometimes gets a little grabby, penalties |
Zone Coverage |
2 |
Natural in zone, High Football IQ, Reads & Anticipates, Plus instincts |
Vs. Run |
2 |
Big hitter but doesn't always wrap-up, takes poor angles at times |
Ball Skills |
1 |
Incredible ball skills, 15 career Interceptions, 43 career PD |
Experience |
2 |
3-year starter with great production |
TOTAL | 17 |
9) Chase Minnifield, School: Virginia, Height: 5'10" Weight: 183 lbs.
2011 Stats: Three Interceptions, 50 Tackles, Interception Return For Touchdown
Draft Projection: Between picks 55, 75
Size |
4 |
Below average height and weight, decently long arms |
Speed |
3 |
Average speed, looks like a 4.50 guy, build-up speed |
Athleticism |
3 |
Not great change of direction skills, solid kick return man |
Man Coverage |
3 |
A bit leggy and choppy, uses hand & arms well to re-direct |
Zone Coverage |
2 |
Best in zone, route recognition is plus, can play inside in nickel |
Vs. Run |
2 |
Good tackler and is physical to get off blocks |
Ball Skills |
2 |
Better in zone when he can react quicker and get to the ball |
Experience |
1 |
4-year player will 13 INT and 30 PD in career |
TOTAL | 20 |
10) Trumaine Johnson, School: Montana, Height: 6-2 Weight: 204
2011 Stats: Interception, 44 Tackles, Forced Fumble
Draft Projection: Between picks 50, 70
Size |
2 |
Good height and weight and very long arms |
Speed |
3 |
4.50 speed is average but good for his size, Quickness is area of concern |
Athleticism |
3 |
Agility hurt due to size but is a better athlete than you'd expect |
Man Coverage |
3 |
Struggles in transition to turn and run, not much press experience |
Zone Coverage |
2 |
At best when he can read QB's eyes and make plays in front of him |
Vs. Run |
2 |
Solid tackler, big enough to bring anybody down, aggressive style |
Ball Skills |
2 |
Has to see ball to make play on it but good hands and gets a lot of PDs |
Experience |
3 |
Played in Div II but started as a true freshman |
TOTAL | 20 |
Cornerback rankings 11-20
11) Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska, 5'10", 204 lbs., 40-yard: 4.51 (Late 2nd, 3rd round)
12) Josh Robinson, UCF, 5'10", 196 lbs., 40-yard: 4.31 (3rd round)
13) Josh Norman, Coastal Carolina, 6'0", 197 lbs., 40-yard: 4.56 (Late 3rd, 4th round)
14) Leonard Johnson, Iowa State, 5'10", 196 lbs., 40-yard: 4.65 (Late 3rd, 4th round)
15) Dwight Bentley, La-Lafayette, 5'10", 182 lbs., 40-yard: 4.37 (4th Round)
16) Coryell Judie, Texas A&M, 6'0", 194 lbs., 40-yard: 4.44 (4th Round)
17) Ryan Steed, Furman, 5'10", 194 lbs., 40-yard: 4.69 (4th, 5th Round)
18) Donnie Fletcher, Boston College, 6'1", 195 lbs. (4th, 5th Round)
19) Asa Jackson, Cal Poly, 5'10", 191 lbs., 40-yard: 4.50 (4th, 5th Round)
20) Shaun Prater, Iowa, 5'10", 190 lbs. (4th, 5th Round)
Using this simple grading scale, how would you rank the cornerbacks in this draft?