Close Article Return to stream X
NFL •

2016 NFL Draft Pre-Combine: Ranking The Top 10 Defensive Back Prospects

+Read full article
Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Is anyone else feeling like they miss football already? Well, thanks to social media and the internet, and there’s plenty of NFL news available to us, making it truly a 12-month game. We began February with the game’s 50th Super Bowl and end the month with the NFL Combine. Here are 10 prospects looking to showcase their talents and prove they are tomorrow’s stars at the defensive back position.

10. Eli Apple, Ohio State Buckeyes

Eli Apple, Ohio State Buckeyes Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Apple appears to be rising on many draft boards mainly because of constant improvement. He's shown work ethic and overcome an iron deficiency, but he's also been dragged 18 yards downfield and has a tendency to grab when beaten.

Apple appears to be rising on many draft boards mainly because of constant improvement. He's shown work ethic and overcome an iron deficiency, but he's also been dragged 18 yards downfield and has a tendency to grab when beaten.

9. Zack Sanchez, Oklahoma Sooners

Zack Sanchez, Oklahoma Sooners Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sanchez went from a mistake-prone freshman everybody picked on to the guy we saw last year. He totaled 45 tackles, seven breakups and seven interceptions and didn't even play in every game. One pick assisted a comeback over the Tennessee Volunteers.

Sanchez went from a mistake-prone freshman everybody picked on to the guy we saw last year. He totaled 45 tackles, seven breakups and seven interceptions and didn't even play in every game. One pick assisted a comeback over the Tennessee Volunteers.

8. William Jackson, Houston Cougars

William Jackson, Houston Cougars Jason Getz_USA TODAY Sports
Jackson may slip on some boards because he played for a school known for offense and didn't get a chance to play in the Senior Bowl. In 2015, he gave the defensive side of the ball credibility by contributing 23 pass breakups and five interceptions.

Jackson may slip on some boards because he played for a school known for offense and didn't get a chance to play in the Senior Bowl. In 2015, he gave the defensive side of the ball credibility by contributing 23 pass breakups and five interceptions.

7. Artie Burns, Miami Hurricanes

Artie Burns, Miami Hurricanes Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Burns turned in 76 tackles, 11 pass breakups and six interceptions over the past two years. He's also 6-foot, 197 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in about four and a half seconds. He'll get a lot of attention at the end of February.

Burns turned in 76 tackles, 11 pass breakups and six interceptions over the past two years. He's also 6-foot, 197 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in about four and a half seconds. He'll get a lot of attention at the end of February.

6. Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech Hokies

Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech Hokies Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports
Fuller may be coming out too early. He's short and missed much of 2015 with an MCL sprain, and he struggled a bit as a result when on the field. But many are saying he's the best cover corner in the class and has first-round talent.

Fuller may be coming out too early. He's short and missed much of 2015 with an MCL sprain, and he struggled a bit as a result when on the field. But many are saying he's the best cover corner in the class and has first-round talent.

5. Xavien Howard, Baylor Bears

Xavien Howard, Baylor Bears Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Over the past two years, Xavien Howard has totaled 93 tackles, 23 pass breakups and nine interceptions. Keep in mind he's done this on a team that seems to care nothing about defense while opposing teams respectfully ignored him.

Over the past two years, Xavien Howard has totaled 93 tackles, 23 pass breakups and nine interceptions. Keep in mind he's done this on a team that seems to care nothing about defense while opposing teams respectfully ignored him.

4. Cyrus Jones, Alabama Crimson Tide

Cyrus Jones, Alabama Crimson Tide Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jones has just as much talent as anyone on this list. He's also one of the best defensive players on the nation's best team. That always brings a certain spotlight with it. He may be given a first-round grade come April.

Jones has just as much talent as anyone on this list. He's also one of the best defensive players on the nation's best team. That always brings a certain spotlight with it. He may be given a first-round grade come April.

3. Mackensie Alexander, Clemson Tigers

Mackensie Alexander, Clemson Tigers Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Depending on where you look, Alexander can go from the second to fourth round. He's 5-foot-11 and won't be the popular pick because he doesn't snag interceptions, but he's been scouted by everybody as a possible nickel corner. That earns him a spot.

Depending on where you look, Alexander can go from the second to fourth round. He's 5-foot-11 and won't be the popular pick because he doesn't snag interceptions, but he's been scouted by everybody as a possible nickel corner. That earns him a spot.

2. Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida Gators

Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida Gators John Davis Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Some say he's better than guys playing corner in the NFL already. He runs routes as well as some receivers, doesn't get beat often and recovers well if he does. Some teams want to see more physicality, but Hargreaves will be the second corner taken.

Some say he's better than guys playing corner in the NFL already. He runs routes as well as some receivers, doesn't get beat often and recovers well if he does. Some teams want to see more physicality, but Hargreaves will be the second corner taken.

1. Jalen Ramsey, Florida State Seminoles

Jalen Ramsey, Florida State Seminoles Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
I haven't seen a list yet where Ramsey isn't the top corner. He's 6-foot-1, weighs 204 pounds and can run with anyone. Barring a disastrous combine, Ramsey will go no lower than the top 10 picks in the upcoming draft. He may reach the top five.

I haven't seen a list yet where Ramsey isn't the top corner. He's 6-foot-1, weighs 204 pounds and can run with anyone. Barring a disastrous combine, Ramsey will go no lower than the top 10 picks in the upcoming draft. He may reach the top five.

Geoffrey Knox is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook, and follow him on Instagram.
Your Favorites