NFP Positional Rankings

[JSn]

They rank Alphonso Smith as the #2 CB. It's interesting that they no longer have him going int he first round in their mock. That's obviously not because his value at the position has slipped. This will change, but it's curious.

I would be ecstatic if this guy fell to the #34 pick.

Anyway, I think these rankings are pretty good, this (#2 CB - not first round drafted) being the biggest head-scratcher to me.

The National Football Post | NFP Prospect Position Rankings

 

[patsfan1251]

I remember watching Smith many times this year and the first thing that came to my mind that he is exactly the type of corner the pats covet. He reminds me a lot of Asante. I think that his height is going to slide him at least to the 2nd round. Cant think of many or any first round CB's 5'9 ever drafted? Can anyone ?

 

[JSn]

I remember watching Smith many times this year and the first thing that came to my mind that he is exactly the type of corner the pats covet. He reminds me a lot of Asante. I think that his height is going to slide him at least to the 2nd round. Cant think of many or any first round CB's 5'9 ever drafted? Can anyone ?

Works for me. I'd hate to see us gamble too much and lose out, though. That would be getting a first round corner in the second, for sure.

 

[bakes781]

They rank Alphonso Smith as the #2 CB. It's interesting that they no longer have him going int he first round in their mock. That's obviously not because his value at the position has slipped. This will change, but it's curious.

I would be ecstatic if this guy fell to the #34 pick.

Anyway, I think these rankings are pretty good, this (#2 CB - not first round drafted) being the biggest head-scratcher to me.

The National Football Post | NFP Prospect Position Rankings

Well that's partly due to the fact that Sean Smith is now looked at as a S. I'm surprised they didn't move Jenkins to S as well frankly. I actually think Darius Butler and Vontae Davis have moved ahead of Alphonso Smith.

 

[dryheat44]

It's hard for me to think of Jenkins as anything but a corner. His recovery speed isn't great, but his quickness and agility numbers are, and he'd been covering like glue for three years now in the Big 10.

To me, if he slips to #23 because of some perceived lack of speed, he's a no-brainer to me. Forget everything else that we like to focus on leading up to the draft. The #1 attribute for a corner is ability to cover, and nobody in the draft does it better than Jenkins, and I see no reason he couldn't do so in any scheme.

 

[PatsChamp88]

It's hard for me to think of Jenkins as anything but a corner. His recovery speed isn't great, but his quickness and agility numbers are, and he'd been covering like glue for three years now in the Big 10.

To me, if he slips to #23 because of some perceived lack of speed, he's a no-brainer to me. Forget everything else that we like to focus on leading up to the draft. The #1 attribute for a corner is ability to cover, and nobody in the draft does it better than Jenkins, and I see no reason he couldn't do so in any scheme.

Exactly hes been the most consistent part of the OSUs defense I think his overall value is too high to let him slip past 23 if he makes it down that far. Hes got the size and the skills to be a NFL corner, OSU has been producing some quality NFL DBs for some time now. If I remember correctly he also has some blocked punts.

 

[Seneschal2]

Even though he lacks height, I'd still draft Alphonso Smith. Just not sure if the Pats value someone higher with their first pick and would hope he'd make to #34. If he doesn't make it that far, there are other CBs available.

Cant think of many or any first round CB's 5'9 ever drafted? Can anyone ?

Round One CBs Drafted Since 1999 (under 5' 10") - per NFL Draft Scout:

2006 -Tye Hill, Pick 15, 5095 185
2005 - Adam Jones, Pick 6, 5094 187
2004 - Ahmad Carroll, Pick 25, 5095 195
2002 - Phillip Buchanon, Pick 17, 5097 186
2001 - Jamar Fletcher, Pick 26, 5087 180
1999 - Antoine Winfield, Pick 23, 5085 176 (shortest)

2009 - Alphonso Smith, 5090 193 (it was first reported that he measured 5087 at the Senior Bowl )

2009 - D.J. Moore, 5087 192

2005 - Ellis Hobbs, Selected: Round 3, 5090 192

1995 - Tyrone Poole, Round one, pick 22, 5' 8"+ 190, was the starting RCB for the Pats in 2003)

 

[DocE]

ProFootballWeekly mentioned in there draft guide last year how rare it is for a CB that is 5'9 to succeed in the NFL. They mentioned Antoine Winfield as a glaring exception to the rule that you can't be 5'9 and play CB at a high level.

Not only is Smith short, but he's not especially fast for the position. I agree with many that he seems to fit the Patriots prototype (ball skills, quick feet), but he's not in Wheatley, Wilhite or Hobbs league in terms of 40 speed.

Because Smith is shorter than the avg NFL CB and has average speed, he should be available in round 2. I'd rather add a bigger CB to the mix if possible.

Sean Smith: 6'3 214lbs 4.50 40yd 1.52 10 yd 34 inch vertical 9'11 broad jump
4.15 20 yd shuttle 6.92 3 cone

Alphonso Smith 5'9 193llbs 4.47 40yd 1.50 10 yd 34 inch vertical 10'05 b jump
4.38 20 yd shuttle 7.09 3 cone

I think Sean Smith's numbers are very impressive considering he's 6 inches taller and 21lbs heavier than Alphonso.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I'm not too worried about Alphonso Smith's height because of his excellent ball skills. But I do have him ranked in round 2 now because a couple of guys present better value such as Butler, Sean Smith, Delmas. But he's well worth our early 2nd if those other guys aren't available. The other factor is that the Pats have signed a CB in free agency so CB becomes a slightly less urgent need. We can wait to develop a CB now.

 

[mgteich]

I think that we will sign even one more defensive back, a Lew Sanders typw who can play both corner and safety. Yes, with Spriggs and Hobss as starters, we can afford to develop our three young corners: Wheatley, Wilhite and Richardson. If we don't have nickel and dime back from these three, the TBD #3 safety can be the dime back, or Spann can be the dime back.

Perhaps there is a good reason why corners are dropping and some are projected to not even be able to play corner in the league. Perhaps the clocks weren't broken at the combine. Perhaps the corners are slow and a very week group.

Weeks ago someone posted that if we want a corner, we'd better use of #23. Well we now have a #34 also. I don't see us drafting a corner any later, and we may not draft one at all, unless as a special teamer. I do want us to draft one of the safeties.

I'm not too worried about Alphonso Smith's height because of his excellent ball skills. But I do have him ranked in round 2 now because a couple of guys present better value such as Butler, Sean Smith, Delmas. But he's well worth our early 2nd if those other guys aren't available. The other factor is that the Pats have signed a CB in free agency so CB becomes a slightly less urgent need. We can wait to develop a CB now.

 

[Water Boy]

It's hard for me to think of Jenkins as anything but a corner. His recovery speed isn't great, but his quickness and agility numbers are, and he'd been covering like glue for three years now in the Big 10.

To me, if he slips to #23 because of some perceived lack of speed, he's a no-brainer to me. Forget everything else that we like to focus on leading up to the draft. The #1 attribute for a corner is ability to cover, and nobody in the draft does it better than Jenkins, and I see no reason he couldn't do so in any scheme.

What's your opinion on Vontae Davis? Is he worthy of the 23 pick if he's still on the board?

 

[VJCPatriot]

What's your opinion on Vontae Davis? Is he worthy of the 23 pick if he's still on the board?

I don't think CB is a 1st round need anymore after signing Springs. Davis is certainly a 1st round talent though, and he had one of the strongest CB performances at the combine.

Vontae Davis Scouting Report - 2009 NFL Draft Prospect

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I think that we will sign even one more defensive back, a Lew Sanders typw who can play both corner and safety. Yes, with Spriggs and Hobss as starters, we can afford to develop our three young corners: Wheatley, Wilhite and Richardson. If we don't have nickel and dime back from these three, the TBD #3 safety can be the dime back, or Spann can be the dime back.

Perhaps there is a good reason why corners are dropping and some are projected to not even be able to play corner in the league. Perhaps the clocks weren't broken at the combine. Perhaps the corners are slow and a very week group.

Weeks ago someone posted that if we want a corner, we'd better use of #23. Well we now have a #34 also. I don't see us drafting a corner any later, and we may not draft one at all, unless as a special teamer. I do want us to draft one of the safeties.

Oh, I can see a couple CBs in the later rounds whom I'd be interested in...

Lardarius Webb
Brandon Hughes
Kevin Barnes

As for those Combine times, let's give the Pro-day numbers a chance to gather and see if there's a difference...it helped Patrick Willis.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

What's your opinion on Vontae Davis? Is he worthy of the 23 pick if he's still on the board?

Athletically + measurables, sure. However, there are some concerns about his maturity and work ethic:

Overview

Few prospects -- in the 2009 draft or otherwise -- boast Davis' combination of size and athleticism. This is, outside of maybe his brother. Three years ago, it was Vernon Davis, Vontae's older brother, who rode a shocking Combine performance into being the San Francisco 49ers' choice with the sixth overall pick of the 2006 draft.

Throughout his career, Vontae Davis has demonstrated the same caliber of jaw-dropping athleticism as his older brother -- and been even more impressive in his ability to transfer that athleticism into gridiron success. Despite leaving after his junior season, Davis is a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection at cornerback with a history of stepping up his play against top competition. He's physical (led all Big Ten cornerbacks with 78 tackles in 2008) and a flashes playmaking ability (seven interceptions, two blocked kicks), but perhaps because the game seems to come so easy to him, there remain concerns about just how far he will develop.

Analysis

Positives: Rare combination of size and pure athleticism. Chiseled frame. Excellent straight-line speed. Loose hips to turn and run. Instinctive defender who recognizes the action when playing off-man or zone and closes downhill. Rare aggression in run support. Physical tackler with legitimate explosive hitting ability. Can separate the ball from the ball-carrier. Times his blitzes well and can close when the opportunity presents itself. Good special teams performer with punt and kick return experience. Blocked two kicks in 2007. May boast unmatched upside at this position.

Negatives: Not a natural playmaker. Inconsistent hands for the interception. Doesn't fight through blocks with the physicality in which he comes up to tackle. Best in off-man and zone coverage where he can watch the action, plant and drive to the ball. Faster in shorts than on the field. Peeks back at the quarterback and savvy route-runners can beat him with double moves. Was benched in 2008 by coach Ron Zook, creating questions about his work ethic. Concerns that Vontae, like his brother, Vernon Davis, may lack the drive to turn his unique athleticism into NFL success.

 

[dryheat44]

What's your opinion on Vontae Davis? Is he worthy of the 23 pick if he's still on the board?

He'd certainly be a defensible pick, depending on who else is available. I see him as a very high upside guy. He's not nearly as refined in technique as Jenkins or Smith, but his athletic ability is phenomenal. You could probably use him at slot receiver on offense in a bind.

I can't speak to his attitude. We used a supplemental draft pick on J'Juan Cherry several years back, and he was probably the biggest turd in the Belichick era. A couple years later Belichick signed his brother Je'Rod, and he was a solid citizen for about four years and key special teams cog for the Super Bowl teams. Point is, Belichick isn't going to hold Vernon's behavior against Vontae. If he interviews well and maintains a good attitude about learning from the coaches, then I'd be all in favor of using #23 on him. He actually reminds me of a young Shawn Springs.

 

[bakes781]

I don't think CB is a 1st round need anymore after signing Springs. Davis is certainly a 1st round talent though, and he had one of the strongest CB performances at the combine.

Vontae Davis Scouting Report - 2009 NFL Draft Prospect

I disagree. I don't think Springs changes much of anything. They need a long term solution and with 4 picks on day one there's a good chance they'll find one.