CBs I like and do not like

Based on a few minutes of highlight reels, here are my most excellent, if myopic, evaluations of the CB crop. I imagine that Mark Caserio would hoot and snort if he ever read this (and most of the other stuff here), but I have a pretty good track record with my peephole evaluations:

Here is a list of the CBs I like for this draft in order of value:

Trae Waynes: Blistering speed, size, and coverage ability. I expect he will go in the top 10, maybe the top 5. If I had the number one pick I would take this guy instead of one of the dodgy top QBs.
Ifo Ekore-Olomu: Small and fiesty and tough. Excellent coverage skills and hits hard. His injury and size may push him into range of the Patriots but it is hard to spend a first on him. Second?
Byron Jones: He certainly topped out at the Combine but he also has good coverage skills.
PJ Williams: Excellent coverage skills. He hits really hard (but launches). He DUIs and slow Combine timing might give the Patriots a shot at him in round 1. Excellent tackling ability makes me think he might also work at Safety.
Charles Gaines: Tough and feisty with good coverage skills.
Bobby McCain: He had 11 INTs in his last two season, is an electric kick returner, and he had the best 20-yard shuttle time at the Combine. He is on the Patriots radar.


Here is a list of CBs that I did not care for in order of draft value:

Jalen Collins: He has size and decent speed but he seemed awkward in coverage. Poor hands. He reminds me of Brandon Browner which is not all bad. He would be a good choice for coverage of TEs and larger receivers. Not a bad CB and he would be a good value at 32 if he ever lasts that long, but not an elite CB yet.
Ronald Darby: Great speed but poor coverage skills. Stone hands; worst hands I have seen on a CB in years. I would take his slower teammate, PJ Williams any day of the week. The team that selects him (Raiders?) will be sorry.
Quinten Rollins: He has a lot of potential, but he is still raw and looked lost out there on some plays. Great hands. This is the type of guy that the Patriots would love in round 6 or 7 in the old days, but he is no secret now.
Markus Peters: Feisty press corner, but you have to worry about his maturity and speed. He may never mature enough to last in the NFL, but he has some talent.

Unknowns:

Kevin Johnson: I could not see much of his coverage ability on tape. He may be very good.

I completely agree with your dislikes. I thought I was the only one who disliked Darby and Collins. I gotta say I thought PJ was sluggish before the combine and think it will be a big issue(I know Dorsett is fast but he pulled away too easy in the miami game). I honestly didn't like FSU defense outside of Jalen Ramsey.

I would first say if you are talking top CBs you should have an opinion on Eric Rowe as well who seems to have clearly found his floor at 64. I like him but don't love him.

My likes

Byron Jones - CB - not as pro ready as you'd like but the upside is the highest of any CB in the draft IMO.
Marcus Peters - CB - Has stayed out of trouble and so I am okay with picking him in the first as he has shown he has the ability to control himself when it matters.
Jalen Collins - CB - you are right he is a CB that you want only covering certain guys. I see him as a smaller but more athletic Browner. Put him on the teams bigger outside guy and he will look good. Not the slot.
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu - CB - My single most mocked player throughout this process. I LOVE this kid. He should be there in the 3rd or high 4th and is worth one of those picks. He reminds me of the "honey badger" Pick him this year and you have an improved Arrington next year for cheap.
Eric Rowe - CB - Kind of like Collins but a little less size (at least does not play as big IMO) but a little more fluid.

These are the guys I want the most by far.

Other players are good as well but these are my likes. For dislikes it is hard to say. Some I am only meh about but don't dislike.

I dislike PJ Williams in the 2nd but feel in the 3rd he is worth the risk. Darby I like a little less than Williams overall and I know he won't make the 3rd so it's a moot point.

FredFromDartmouth said:

Markus Peters: Feisty press corner, but you have to worry about his maturity and speed. He may never mature enough to last in the NFL, but he has some talent.

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Marcus, I think you've under-rated him a little bit. He definitely has more than "some" talent. I'd argue that he is the most skilled cornerback available, and 4.5 speed isn't that concerning to me given his press/physical nature. This said, the character concerns are real, maybe I am a sucker, but I think he would buy into the Belichick regiment, and if he does, we have a steal on our hands based on where we may get him.

TA_Stephenson said:

Marcus, I think you've under-rated him a little bit. He definitely has more than "some" talent. I'd argue that he is the most skilled cornerback available, and 4.5 speed isn't that concerning to me given his press/physical nature. This said, the character concerns are real, maybe I am a sucker, but I think he would buy into the Belichick regiment, and if he does, we have a steal on our hands based on where we may get him.

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This is my thought exactly.

If he matures and is professional, you have a tremendous QB on your hands. Best tape in this draft hands down.

However, if his pro life is a continuation of the nonsense he pulled in college, then you have wasted a first round draft pick.

I'm hearing more n more negative talk on Wayne's. He "doesn't like contact" "he's 180lbs dripping wet" "there wasn't any standout receivers in Pac 10 that he had to cover." He's following Denard who in his 1st year hasn't done anything

TA_Stephenson said:

Marcus, I think you've under-rated him a little bit. He definitely has more than "some" talent. I'd argue that he is the most skilled cornerback available, and 4.5 speed isn't that concerning to me given his press/physical nature. This said, the character concerns are real, maybe I am a sucker, but I think he would buy into the Belichick regiment, and if he does, we have a steal on our hands based on where we may get him.

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OK, I may well have. I will watch more video on him. He would be a scary pick at 32; high risk/high reward. BB usually does not take such chances in the first round and takes the gambles in the second round, many of which have not worked out.