The 2013 class of defensive backs doesn’t have the star power at the top like last seasons did with Morris Claiborne, Stephon Gilmore, or Janoris Jenkins, but I think it’s much deeper with great quality all throughout the middle rounds. Johnthan Banks and Micah Hyde both flirted with entering last season early, and both look to have made the right decision.
There are several prospects who I expect to climb out the board as the season progresses; Small school stud B.W. Webb from William and Mary, San Diego State’s Leon McFadden, and Melvin White from UL-Lafayette. Also keep an eye on former Seminole and current Valdosta State CB Greg Reid. If he can keep his head on straight and focus on football, Reid will provide great value in the middle of the draft.
These rankings are extremely fluid, especially this early in the season and will change constantly throughout the process. Juniors will be added as they begin to declare for the draft.
Rankings: QB ¦ RB ¦ WR ¦ TE ¦ OT ¦ OG ¦ C ¦ DE ¦ OLB ¦ ILB ¦ CB ¦ S
1. Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State, 6’1 185: 1st Round
-Last season Banks flirted with entering the draft and probably would have wound up being a 2nd round pick. By staying for his senior season he has a chance to be a day one pick in April. The one thing that you will notice with Banks is his size. At 6’2 185 lbs, Banks looks the part of an NFL corner. He has the fram to add bulk and strength, and could see a move to FS in the future. He’s not the strongest, hence the potential to add bulk, but he has great speed and tremendous ball-skills. He’s very aggressive and not afraid to mix it up in run defense. Banks also possess sound technique, and with a solid 2012 should easily be a day one pick
2. Johnny Adams, Michigan State, 5’11 178: 2nd Round
-Adams is a tick smaller than you would like, but he has a great blend of long speed, quickness, and ball skills. Last season he finished with 3 sacks, 3 interceptions, to go along with 51 tackles. He can run with the fastest receivers and doesn’t get lost downfield. Adams is also extremely physical and does an excellent job at staying with the receiver and not allowing any separation. I would like to see him become more willing to help in run support and shore up his tackling, but as a true cover corner, there’s not much better than him in this class.
3. Terry Hawthorne, Illinois, 6’0 190: 2nd Round
-The casual fan doesn’t know who Hawthorne is, but by the end of the season they will. Last season, Hawthorne started 11 games while compiling 60 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and three interceptions. I really like his awareness and he’s extremely quick to react to plays and covers sideline-to-sideline very effectively. Does have some versatility as a returner and pass catcher as well. I’m interested in seeing play more man coverage and how he does mirroring receivers.
4. Micah Hyde, Iowa, 6’1 190: 2nd Round
-Hyde is a strong corner with great size and above-average speed. Like other Hawkeye prospects, Hyde plays aggressively and is very tough. He might eventually make the move to FS in the NFL due to the fact that he doesn’t have CB speed, and looks much more comfortable in space where he can read and react to plays.
5. Brodrick Brown, Oklahoma State, 5’8 185: 2nd – 3rd Round
-Brown is undersized, but he plays much bigger than 5’8 183 lbs. He was 5th on the team with 68 tackles and had 15 passes broken up with 5 interceptions. Brown has tremendous ball skills and plays a really physical brand of football. His instincts are also something that stands out on tape. I don’t think he could ever be a true number one corner, but he defiantly has the skill to be effective at the next level.
6. Desmond Trufant, Washington, 6’0 185: 3rd Round
-Trufant has the ability and measurable to be a top 3 CB in this draft class but has yet. The younger brother of Marcus Trufant, Desmond has always been inconsistent, but his skill set will intrigue NFL teams. He’s very physical and is a true man-to-man cover corner, but can be lackadaisical in his technique at time. If he puts it together for 2012, Trufant should be a solid day 2 selection.
7. Demontre Hurst, Oklahoma, 5’10 181: 3rd Round
-Hurst is a little undersized but he plays the ball as well as any other senior CB on this list. Hurst shows good speed and isn’t afraid to step in and help the run. He plays aggressive and I think he makes for an excellent Nickel back at the next level due to his shorter height.
8. Jordan Poyer, Oregon State, 6’0 190: 3rd Round
-Poyer will give teams extra value as a returner. He average 22 yards as a kick returner and 14.1 as a punt returner with a TD. He is an aggressive corner, who does a great job running with receivers. Was recently arrested for sneaking into a night club, so character concerns could deter some teams in the middle of the draft.
9. Rod Sweeting, Georgia Tech, 6’0 184: 4th Round
-Last season was Sweeting’s first as a starter, and he didn’t disappoint. He was named ACC Honorable Mention, and defended 10 passes. He’s long with a huge wingspan with above-average speed. With steady play, and improved strength, Sweeting could become a household name.
10. Blidi Wreh-Wilson, UConn, 6’2 190: 4th Round
-Wreh-Wilson has intriguing size for a CB. Shows solid technique and has been a consistent playmaker for the Huskies his entire career. If he can prove he’s over the knee injury that limited him last season, then Wreh-Wilson is a solid mid-round prospect in 2012.
11. B.W. Webb, William & Mary, 5’10 180: 4th Round
12. Prentiss Wagner, Tennessee, 6’2 180: 4th Round
13. Greg Reid, Valdosta State, 5’8 185: 4th – 5th Round
14. Marc Anthony, Cal, 6’0 200: 5th Round
15. Branden Smith, Georgia, 5’11 176: 5th Round
16. Sanders Commings, Georgia, 6’0 217: 5th Round
17. Nigel Malone, Kansas State, 5’10 176: 5th-6th Round
18. Leon McFadden, San Diego State, 5’10 185: 6th Round
19. Melvin White, UL-Lafayette, 6’3 191: 6th Round
20. Travis Carrie, Ohio, 6’0 212: 6th – 7th Round
21. Aaron Hester, UCLA, 6’1 205: 7th Round
22. Brandon McGee, Miami (FL), 6’0 190: 7th Round
23. Demetrius McCray, Appalachian State, 6’0 182: 7th Round
24. T’Sharvan Bell, Auburn, 6’0 185: 7th Round
25. Robert Alford, Southeast Louisiana, 5’11 184: PFA
26. Daxton Swanson, Sam Houston State, 5’11 192: PFA
27. Wesley Pendelton, Ole Miss, 5’11 180: PFA
28. Akeem Auguste, South Carolina, 5’9 188: PFA
29. Troy Stoudermire, Minnesota, 5’10 200: PFA
30. Dustin Harris, Texas A&M, 6’0 175: PFA
31. Kip Edwards, Missouri, 6’1 200: PFA
Top Underclassmen
David Amerson, North Carolina State, 6’2 194
Xavier Rhodes, Florida State, 6’1 217
Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State, 6’0 195
Dee Millner, Alabama, 6’1 198
Nickell Robey, USC, 5’8 168
Carrington Byndom, Texas, 6’0 180
Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech, 5’11 187
These rankings are extremely fluid, especially this early in the season and will change constantly throughout the process. Juniors will be added as they begin to declare for the draft.
Rankings: QB ¦ RB ¦ WR ¦ TE ¦ OT ¦ OG ¦ C ¦ DE ¦ OLB ¦ ILB ¦ CB ¦ S
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Jeremy Cabler covers the NFL Draft and College Football for Rant Sports. Check out his Scouting Reports
Follow him on Twitter @JeremyCabler and @RantSports.
