NFL Draft 2018 –
Underclassmen Head Strong Cornerback Class
Cornerbacks – Grade: B+
Frank Coyle – Head Scout
Positional Overview:
This year’s cornerback class is another excellent group of cover men which is both exceptionally deep and top heavy. There are a few blue chips expected to go at the top of the 1st round, with many through the top 50 overall selections. Six juniors head are prospect rankings with Denzel Ward and Jaire Alexander at the top of the class. They will probably be selected in the top 10-25 overall picks. Ward is also the best athlete at the position and has the skill set and versatility to start immediately. He is another in a long line of Buckeye corners to enter the NFL recently with most highly successful early in their careers. Alexander is a well-developed cover man with an early starting grade. He will probably be selected in the top 15-20 choices. Mike Hughes, Carlton Davis and Josh Jackson could all go in the top round or early 2nd round. Isaiah Oliver, Anthony Averett and Donte Jackson are highly regarded corers and probable mid-2nd day picks off strong 2017 performances. Averett comes off an excellent final season which probably earns him a top 50-60 selection. This is a deep group that will supply many NFL starters well into the 3rd day of the process. There could be at least 10-12 prospects selected in the top 100 choices. There will probably be 15-18 prospects selected in the top 150 picks. There should be a run on corners from the mid-1st round through the early 3rd day. This is an exceptionally strong group of underclassmen which improved the quality of this class. This class has exceptional depth and will provide a number of middle round steals like Duke Dawson, M.J. Stewart and Isaac Yiadom. This position has annually provided the most overall selections and should once again. This class could supply as many as 35 total prospects and another 40+ high priority FA. Small college defenders, Davontae Harris is highly regarded from the lower level and carries a potential starting grade. This deep crop of corners will supply a huge group of big corners with some versatility to also slide to safety in the nickel and dime packages.
NFL Teams in need:
1 Patriots 5 . Giants
2. Dolphins 6. Redskins
3. Cowboys 7. Bears
4 Seahawks 8. Chiefs
NFL Premier Player
Patrick Peterson
Blue Chip – Denzel Ward
Blue Chip – Jaire Alexander
Red Chip – Mike Hughes
Rising – Donte Jackson
Falling – Tarvarus McFadden
Underrated – Anthony Averett
Overrated – Isaac Yiadom
Sleeper – Davontae Harris
Boom/Bust – Holton Hill
Biggest Upside – Isaiah Oliver
Hidden Gem – Tony Brown
Over drafted – Kevin Toliver
Positional Traits
Best Athlete – Denzel Ward
Best Man Cover – Denzel Ward
Best Zone Cover – Mike Hughes
Best Run support – Carlton Davis
Best Tackler – Anthony Averett
Hands – Joshua Jackson
Best Intangibles – Anthony Averett
Ball Instincts – Mike Hughes
Top Cornerbacks
1 * Denzel Ward – Ohio St
2 * Jaire Alexander – Louisville
3 * Mike Hughes – Central Florida
4 * Carlton Davis – Auburn
5 * Joshua Jackson – Iowa
6 * Isaiah Oliver – Colorado
7 Anthony Averett – Alabama
8 * Donte Jackson – LSU
9 * Kevin Toliver – LSU
10 Duke Dawson – Florida
11 * Tarvarus McFadden – Florida St
12 Tony Brown – Alabama
13 M.J. Stewart – North Carolina
14 Davontae Harris – Illinois St
15 Isaac Yiadom – Boston College
