Rankings and quick lookaheads of all the cornerback prospects invited to the 2019 NFL Combine.
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2019 NFL Cornerback Combine Workout: Monday, March 4
Here we go with the 2019 NFL Combine, with all the breakdowns and analysis of every positive and negative for all of the top prospects. This isn’t that hard. Just simplify it – who can play football well enough to make an impact at the next level?
The bigger breakdowns will come before the NFL Draft, but for now – again, from the college perspective – here are the pre-combine rankings for all of the cornerbacks invited to the big workout.
Before getting into the top five breakdown, here’s a ranking of the best of the rest.
2019 Pre-NFL Combine Cornerback Best of the Rest Rankings
Number in parentheses is the projected round drafted pre-NFL Combine.
35. Ken Webster, Ole Miss 5-11, 200 (7 FA)
There’s talent, but he suffered a bad knee injury early in his career and was suspended for a game. The interview process will matter.
34. Blessuan Austin, Rutgers 6-1, 198 (7 FA)
He can play and could be a steal if he’s healthy. He’s great at getting after the ball, but he’s also coming off a knee injury.
33. Rashad Fenton, South Carolina 5-11, 190 (7 FA)
While he won’t be for everyone, he’s a tough baller of a defensive back who’s missing a few too many of the raw skills to be a top starter. He might make a roster if he grows into a special teamer.
32. Derrek Thomas, Baylor 6-3, 190 (7 FA)
The transfer from Temple has safety size and can hit, but he’s a tweener. There are plenty of positive things to develop.
31. Alijah Holder, Stanford 6-1, 181 (7 FA)
Good size, good upside, but he only had one good year with the Cardinal. If he can stay healthy, there’s a lot to like.
30. Jordan Miller, Washington 6-2, 190 (7 FA)
A good part of the UW puzzle last season, he’s got the size, but he needs more time and more experience with just one full season healthy in college.
29. Ryan Pulley, Arkansas 5-10, 191 (7 FA)
There are a few issues from his career as a Hog – none of them serious – but talent-wise, he’s got the skills to slip into a late-round pick with a good workout.
28. Xavier Crawford, Central Michigan 6-1, 174 (7 FA)
Excellent at making plays when the ball is in the air, the concern is his back that kept him out at Oregon State – before ending up at CMU – after a promising start.
27. Sean Bunting, Central Michigan 6-1, 181 (7 FA)
There’s enough there to end up making a team, but there’s just enough missing to keep him from being more than a projection. He’ll have to fight to get a spot.
26. David Long, Michigan 5-11, 187 (5)
A little smallish as a tackler, he made his impact as a playmaker against the pass. The quickness is there, but just how physical can he become?
25. Jamal Peters, Mississippi State 6-2, 217 (6)
Good size, good enough athleticism, and good enough production … when he’s healthy. He hasn’t had too many issues, but he was banged up a bit during the season.
24. Davante Davis, Texas 6-2, 205 (7 FA)
The scouts likely aren’t going to find a sure-thing spot for him, but he’s a strong all-around corner with the talent to find a role somewhere.
23. Derrick Baity, Kentucky 6-2, 191 (7 FA)
There’s a chance he slips through the cracks on draft day and slides on down. Don’t expect him to rock the workouts, but he’s experienced and he has the size.
22. Isaiah Johnson, Houston 6-3, 195 (6)
A lot of tools, plenty of talent, but in desperate need of seasoning, he’ll get everyone excited with the measurables. It’s going to take a bit to put it all together.
21. Hamp Cheevers, CB, Boston College 5-10, 180 (5)
No one will be too fired up about the measurables or the testing, but his production will be enough to get him drafted. He just makes plays.
20. Kendall Sheffield, Ohio State 5-10, 212 (6)
Really, really, really fast, he has to the tools and looks the part, but he needs more seasoning. If he can put it all together, he’s a steal.
19. Mark Fields, Clemson 5-10, 181 (6)
More prospect than college production – partly because he injured his foot midway through his career – he’ll be drafted as a flier, but he has to be fantastic in workouts to generate a buzz.
18. Corey Ballentine, Washburn 6-0, 204 (6)
Oh will the scouts love him throughout the workouts. He’s big enough, versatile, and he can really, really move.
17. Blace Brown, Troy 6-0, 183 (5)
Is he really fully past the knee injury of a few years ago? Everyone will love him and will want to find a place for him, but it’ll be all about the quickness drills.
16. Jordan Brown, South Dakota State 6-0, 197 (4)
Someone is going to fall deeply in love with his potential. Get ready for him to test well and look every bit the part of a No. 1 NFL corner who just needs a little time.
15. Jamel Dean, Auburn 6-1, 206 (4)
It’s all about the medical evaluation and whether or not his knee injuries from the past really are over. Great when he’s on the field, the talent is there to be a top 100 pick, but the injures concerns are enough to drop him down.
14. Iman Lewis-Marshall, USC 6-1, 200 (5)
He’s just not going to be fast enough to be a next-level corner on a regular basis, he has the skills to grow into a whale of a safety. He needs to show off comparative quickness and fluidity in Indy.
13. Saivion Smith, Alabama 6-1, 200 (4)
Watch out for him to grow into a more effective NFL safety than a top corner. He can hit well enough to be a nice piece of a secondary puzzle.
12. Michael Jackson, Miami 6-1, 207 (4)
A really nice all-around corner, he’ll beat up receivers and he won’t be shy about coming up with a pop. But can he ever be left on an island? Quickness needs to be there throughout the drills.
11. Kris Boyd, Texas 6-0, 195 (3)
Tough, versatile and physical, he can play, but he’s a bit too much of a tweener. He’s not going to look like an elite NFL starting corner, but he’s not quite a true safety … yet.
10. Lonnie Johnson, Kentucky 6-2, 207 (3)
There’s no need to overthink it when it comes to the tools. He has the talent, size and speed to find a spot somewhere on the field. Now he has to be more of a baller.
9. Justin Layne, Michigan State 6-2, 185 (3)
Tall, lanky, and with good tackling ability and run stopping skills, he’s a strong all-around prospect with the potential to play just about anywhere in a secondary.
8. Joejuan Williams, Vanderbilt 6-3, 208 (2)
A terrific all-around prospect with size and hitting ability. Now he has to be smooth in the workout phase. He’ll attack the ball.
7. Amani Oruwariye, Penn State 6-1, 203 (2)
A broken up pass machine, he gets the job done when he’s around the ball. But does he have the raw wheels to justify a top 50 pick? The 40 will mean almost everything to his prospects.
6. Rock Ya-Sin, Temple 6-1, 200 (3)
Watch out for him to become the high-riser in the draft process. He looks like he’s out of central casting and can hit. All that’s missing is a little more time and technique work.
NEXT: Top 5 Cornerback Prospects Before the NFL Combine
5. Trayvon Mullen, Clemson 6-1, 186 (2)
Career Statistics: 93 tackles, 2 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 7 broken up passes
Why Trayvon Mullen Is Here On The List: He’s more than just his fantastic performance against Alabama in the national championship. While he might not be the perfect prospect, and he might need to take a few NFL lumps, he’s simply a solid cover corner with all the skills and all the quickness to keep on growing.
Nah, he’s not going to come up with the big pop or be all that physical, but he can cover, and he can move.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Everything might come down to the board and the interview process. He’ll look great throughout all of the workouts, but just how ready is he going to be early on? A good bench and explosiveness in the jumping drills will help.
Bottom Line: Ask him to go out there and cover a receiver, and he’ll be terrific. Ask him to make a big pop or be an island corner who can take out an elite No. 1 target, and he’s not going to quite be that. But everything else is in place to be a rock-solid starter.
NEXT: No. 4 Pre-NFL Combine Cornerback
4. Julian Love, Notre Dame 5-11, 190 (2)
Career Statistics: 176 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles
Why Julian Love Is Here On The List: What do you want him to do? Do you want him to be the best ball-skill guy on the field? He broke up 20 passes two years ago. Do you want him to hit? He made 176 tackles in his three years.
There’s nothing diva about his game, doing just about everything needed to grow into a terrific starting corner. He’s not going to beat anyone up or outmuscle anyone for the ball, but he knows how to make a big play and get the job done.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Raw speed and athleticism. Everyone knows he can play, but does he have the tools to be worthy of an early second round pick? The 40 will mean just about everything.
Bottom Line: No, he’s not going to be the perfect workout warrior, and he’ll be underwhelming when compared to the more athletic corners in all the drills, but as long as he’s not brutally slow and lumbering, someone will figure out a spot for him somewhere around the 50ish range.
NEXT: No. 3 Pre-NFL Combine Cornerback
3. Byron Murphy, Washington 5-11, 180 (1)
Career Statistics: 74 tackles, 1 sack, 7 tackles for loss, 6 interceptions, 20 broken up passes, 2 forced fumbles
Why Byron Murphy Is Here On The List: Ultra-productive in his short time with the Huskies, he missed half of his first season injured, but managed to finish with six picks in 20 games of action. Great when the ball is in the air, he’ll attack, break up passes in key spots, and he’s not afraid to hit.
No, he’s not going to blow anyone away with his all-around skill set, but he’s going to be that cliché “check the tape” guy who stands out on the field. But he likely won’t go off in the workouts.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Is the raw speed there? He doesn’t have the central casting look, but can he be merely okay in the 40 and through the quickness drills? No one will expect wow numbers, but as long as he’s just okay, he should find his way in the first first round.
Bottom Line: Will he be worth a top 25 overall pick? That’s a wee bit of a stretch considering he might not have the raw tools to be an elite of the elite type of cover-corner, but he’ll be a safe pick. A great workout, though, will crank up his stock into a sure-thing first rounder.
NEXT: No. 2 Pre-NFL Combine Cornerback
2. Deandre Baker, Georgia 5-11, 180 (1)
Career Statistics: 116 tackles, 1 sack, 4 tackles for loss, 7 interceptions, 23 broken up passes, 2 forced fumbles
Why Deandre Baker Is Here On The List: Yeah, he won the Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back, but that was debatable – at least a little bit. When it comes to his talent, though, he has No. 1 cover-corner skills worthy of being taken in the top 15 overall.
He’s not as big as some might like, but he’s not afraid to get nasty and bring the hit when needed. The key to his game will be his quickness and smooth style – he’s going to look every bit the part in the short and agility drills.
What The NFL Types Want To See: If he hits the bench press, a decent number would be nice. Of course that doesn’t mean much overall – and it certainly won’t make or break him – but because he’s not going to look all that big compared to some of the other key prospects, anything he can do to show off a little strength will help.
Bottom Line: The only concern is whether or not he can hang with the bigger, tougher receivers when it comes down to a fight for the ball. However, he’ll erase his share of top targets. Overall, finding any major negatives is nitpicking.
NEXT: No. 1 Pre-NFL Combine Cornerback
1. Greedy Williams, LSU 6-2, 182 (1)
Career Statistics: 71 tackles, 8 interceptions, 19 broken up passes
Why Greedy Williams Is Here On The List: Andraez – his real name – is a bit lanky and doesn’t quite look like a true No. 1 franchise corner, but that’s exactly what he is. His length, size, and ball skills form a fantastic combination that all works.
No, he’s not going to bring any thump whatsoever to help against the run, but he won’t get beaten up by the bigger receivers and has the skills to erase the smaller ones.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Just how quick is he? He’s not going to do anything when it comes to strength and physicality, but that’s not going to be his game. The difference between being a sure first-rounder and a must-have top ten overall pick is his raw athleticism. A great 40 time ends any concern and speculation.
Bottom Line: He’s not the perfect corner prospect, but he’ll be a key part of any secondary with the ability to shine on his own on an island. The talent, instincts, and ball skills are there, and there’s the upside to do a whole lot more.
