2011 NFL Draft - Top 5 CBs

The-Mainboard.com 2011 NFL Draft Initial Top CBs

List is from NFL Draft aficionado, Neal Olson.

1. CB Patrick Peterson, LSU
-I originally had Ras-I Dowling above Peterson, but was after looking more closely was off on that one. Peterson has everything you want in a NFL shut down corner. In addition to being 6'1 and 222 pounds, his change of direction and hips are outstanding. Usually your bigger cornerbacks are physical, however aren't able to keep up with speedier receivers. Peterson however is able to keep up with the best of them with relative ease which will allow him to be matched with the other team's number one regardless of what type of receiver he is. In addition to his coverage skills, Peterson is very physical and is an above average tackler which you expect with his size. If there is one possible area of concern it is his aggressiveness. He tends to play very aggressive which can lead to him getting burnt on occasion due to it. I don't necessarily view that as a weakness as with time that will be reigned in.

2. CB Aaron Williams, Texas
-I don't think Williams is quite on the level of Peterson, however he isn't to far behind either. He isn't in Peterson's league when it comes to size measuring 6'1 and only roughly 200 pounds. Williams has excellent hips and a back pedal similar to Peterson but might be a notch below. Either way he has the ability to stay with quicker receivers and the physical nature to cause problems for smaller receivers trying to get off of the line. Williams is great at seeing the ball in the air and is able to use his size to force tougher throws and the length to deflect and intercept jump balls. On top of his pass coverage, Williams is also a physical defender who doesn't shy away from contact. Which is a bit surprising as he looks rather lean without the overall mass of Peterson, however isn't afraid from playing the run and does a good job at getting opposing players down. As he makes the transition to the league, I do think he has to add a little bit of mass as it may be more of an issue for him at the next level than it is currently.

3. CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
-Like both Aaron Williams and Patrick Peterson, Amukamara is a big physical corner with the addition of speed and agility. Amukamara was a converted running back, so it isn't a tremendous surprise that he is extremely flexible and is able to rotate his hips easily to keep up with sudden route changes. He is at his best in man coverage which goes along with his physical nature. He does a great job of changing receivers routes after the snap and frustrating opponents due to this taking them out of their flow. In addition to his coverage ability, Amukamara is good when coming up to the line of scrimmage. He isn't hesitant in going up to the line of scrimmage and does a great job wrapping up opponents not allowing them to get away. Amukamara is in the Aaron Williams mold in terms of size and could use to bulk up more as he gets to the league. He also is not necessarily extremely fast. He is quick off of the ball but can get beaten deep due to a lack of top end speed. In all, he was given the top grade last year and that isn't surprising after watching more of his film.

4. CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia
-Dowling was my initial top cornerback and although he is slipped it is more from watching other guys more extensively. Dowling continues the trend of big, physical corners eligible for the 2011 NFL Draft. He is very physical at the line of scrimmage and like Amukamara, isn't hesitant to breaking up a play in the box. He has good hips although not on the level of others which slows him a bit as routes develop during a play. He does have a great ability of jumping routes when he sees where the play is going and has excellent closing speed to break up passes and make interceptions. In addition to these positives, Dowling doesn't have the exceptional transition that the other top cornerbacks have in this class. He does have some issue coming out of breaks which forces him to recover with his speed. In the college game he can get away with it more often, however against more experienced players that he will face at the next level they may be able to take advantage of it more often. Even then, he is still a very good cornerback and should make any team that has the possibility drafting him happy come April.

5. CB Davon House, New Mexico State
-Although the other cornerbacks in this draft are more well known, House should solidify himself as one of the better cornerbacks eligible for this year's draft. House is a big physical corner which seems to be the pattern for this year's draft. He does a great job in press coverage at disrupting receivers and causing them to improvise during their routes. He shows a great job in the box and shows a great job of fighting off blockers and making a play against an opposing running back. In coverage, House shows good hips and keeps up with opposing receivers well. He gets his head around quickly and allows him to get in a position to play the ball and either break up the pass or create a turnover. The biggest thing with House will be working on technical things. He is slower than others in getting out of his backpedal which slows him up against quicker moves and can allow receivers to break free more easily. He doesn't have the recovery speed that other top corners in this class has, which makes him more susceptible to giving up big plays when his technique isn't as good as it can be. Overall House should be amongst the middle tier of defensive backs and starting out the year is the best of the second tier cornerbacks eligible for the draft.